Bill S-231 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 45th Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-231 changes the Criminal Code to allow advance arrangements for MAID for individuals who lose capacity to consent, adds safeguards, and clarifies that resistance to MAID stops its provision.
Bill S-231 amends the Criminal Code to modify rules around medical assistance in dying (MAID). It allows certain individuals who lose the ability to consent to MAID to make advance arrangements or declarations under specific conditions, while adding safeguards. It also clarifies that resistance to MAID through words, sounds, or gestures prevents its provision in certain cases.
- Permits individuals who lose capacity to consent to MAID to enter written arrangements for specified days if their death is not reasonably foreseeable
- Allows individuals with serious and incurable illnesses to make written declarations waiving final consent if they lose capacity, meet symptom criteria, and satisfy other safeguards
- Adds a new subsection (3.4) to the Criminal Code stating consent given under certain conditions does not override demonstrated refusal or resistance to MAID
- Amends subsections (3.21) and (3.22) to include criteria for when resistance/refusal to MAID prevents its provision
- Individuals who lose capacity to consent to medical assistance in dying
- Healthcare providers involved in MAID decisions
- Persons who demonstrate refusal or resistance to MAID through words, sounds, or gestures
- Individuals who lose capacity to consent may enter advance arrangements for MAID under specific conditions
- Healthcare providers must respect demonstrated refusal or resistance to MAID through words, sounds, or gestures
- Persons who meet symptom criteria may waive final consent for MAID if they lose capacity
- The bill is currently at second reading in the Senate (45th Parliament, 1st Session)
- No specific commencement date is provided in the text
- No financial or tax impacts are mentioned in the bill text
- The bill does not specify penalties for non-compliance with its provisions
- The bill text does not specify what constitutes 'symptom criteria' for waiving final consent
- The exact conditions for 'specified days' in advance arrangements are not detailed in the text
Changes rules about when and how medical assistance in dying can be provided, including advance arrangements and safeguards for individuals who lose capacity to consent.
Source: Sections 241.2(3.1), 241.2(3.2), 241.2(3.4) and amendments to 241.2(3.21), 241.2(3.22)
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-231's Senate first reading was completed on June 12, 2025, with subsequent stages progressing to second reading on June 16, 2025, and a sponsor's speech delivered by Pamela Wallin.
This record documents the procedural steps for Bill S-231 in the Senate. The bill was introduced and passed during the first reading on June 12, 2025, and moved to second reading on June 16, 2025. A sponsor's speech by Pamela Wallin (Canadian Senators Group) was delivered during the second reading. The bill's current status is at second reading in the Senate. A similar bill, S-248, was previously introduced in the 44th Parliament and is currently at committee stage in the Senate. This record does not represent the full bill text or legal changes, only the procedural progress through the Senate.
On June 12, 2025, the Senate debated agricultural policy and supply management reforms, with no bills passed and a motion to adjourn the session.
On June 12, 2025, the Senate debated several bills and motions. Key topics included: 1. Bill C-202 (Supply Management): Senators discussed its impact on small farms, with emphasis on protecting Canadian producers from U.S. market volatility. The Bloc Québécois and Quebec's National Assembly supported the bill, citing its role in maintaining price stability for dairy and poultry sectors. A motion to adjourn the Senate was passed, with the next sitting scheduled for June 17, 2025. 2. Bill C-282 (Food Security): Debate focused on soil degradation and the need for sustainable agricultural practices. Senators referenced a Food and Agriculture Organization report highlighting the urgency of addressing soil health. 3. Procedural Actions: The Senate adjourned for the day, with no votes recorded. No bills were passed in the Senate on this date. The debates emphasized agricultural policy, supply management, and environmental sustainability, with no legal changes enacted during this session.
Bill S-231 is in the second reading stage in the Senate as of October 29, 2025, with procedural updates and historical context provided but no legal changes enacted through this stage alone.
Bill S-231, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code regarding medical assistance in dying, is currently undergoing second reading in the Senate. The latest recorded activity was a debate session on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The bill previously passed first reading on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and its second reading was initially scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2025, during Sitting 11. A major speech was delivered by Pamela Wallin, the sponsor (Canadian Senators Group), during the second reading. The bill is part of a series of similar legislation, including S-248 from the 44th Parliament, which was at the committee stage in the Senate. This record reflects procedural progress in the legislative process and does not represent the full text of the bill or its legal effects.
The Senate debated medical assistance in dying (MAID) reforms, including access for individuals with dementia, legal amendments, and related bills, with references to court rulings and personal stories.
The Senate debate transcript includes discussions on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and related legislative proposals. Key topics include: (1) The role of the Senate in legislation, (2) MAID access for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's, (3) Legal amendments to MAID laws, and (4) Other bills like S-231 and S-250. Specific examples cited include the 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling on MAID, the 'reasonably foreseeable death' standard, and the two-track system for MAID access. Personal anecdotes, such as a senator's mother's experience with dementia, were shared to illustrate policy implications.
The Senate debated private member's bills related to medical assistance in dying, with discussions on legal interpretations, patient autonomy, and procedural referrals, but no votes were taken.
The Senate debate on June 16, 2025, focused on several private member's bills and legal interpretations related to medical assistance in dying (MAID). Key topics included: 1. Bill S-231 (Medical Assistance in Dying Act): Senators discussed its provisions, with some emphasizing the need for clarity on 'reasonable prospect of recovery' and others highlighting the importance of patient autonomy. 2. Bill S-250 (Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying): Debate centered on whether advance requests should be legally binding, with references to the 2019 Quebec Superior Court decision in *Rodriguez v. Canada*. 3. Legal Interpretation: A senator cited the *Rodriguez* case to argue for broader access to MAID, while another referenced the *Robert Latimer* case to caution against potential misuse of the law. 4. Procedural Actions: The Senate agreed to refer Bill S-231 to a committee for further review and adjourned the debate on Bill S-250 pending additional consultations. No votes were recorded, and the official text of the bills was not fully presented during the debate.
This Senate sitting record from October 29, 2025, includes routine procedural business but does not contain the debate on Bill S-231, which was at second reading, as the actual debate text is missing from the provided source.
The provided text is a Senate sitting record from October 29, 2025, but it does not include the debate on Bill S-231 (medical assistance in dying amendment). Instead, it contains routine procedural business such as motions to table reports, committee appointments, and notices of inquiry. The Senate was in the process of second reading for Bill S-231, but the actual debate text for this bill is not present in the provided source. Other topics discussed included the Canada-China Legislative Association report, committee membership changes, and cultural responsibility studies. The official source URL provided (https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/451/debates/029db_2025-10-29-e?language=e) may contain additional details not included in this chunked record.
Bill S-231, concerning medical assistance in dying, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate and is currently at Second Reading.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-231, an Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning medical assistance in dying, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate. The bill is currently at the Second Reading stage. The latest activity mentioned is a debate at Second Reading on October 29, 2025. The bill had its First Reading on June 12, 2025, and its Second Reading on June 16, 2025.
This record indicates that Bill S-231, concerning medical assistance in dying, has had its first reading in the House of Commons (though this stage is not yet reached in the described artifact) and is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate, with related debates scheduled.
This artifact describes the 'First reading' stage for Bill S-231 in the House of Commons. This stage is marked as 'Not reached'. The bill's current status is 'At second reading in the Senate'. The first reading in the House of Commons occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and second reading in the Senate occurred on Monday, June 16, 2025. The Senate has scheduled debate at second reading for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. A similar bill, S-248, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
The House of Commons Second Reading stage for Bill S-231 has not yet been reached, while the bill has proceeded through second reading and debate in the Senate.
This artifact describes the House of Commons Second Reading stage for Bill S-231, an Act to amend the Criminal Code related to medical assistance in dying. However, the stage state is marked as 'Not reached' in the House of Commons. The record indicates that the bill's latest activity was a debate at second reading in the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, and its first reading occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The bill had its second reading in the Senate on Monday, June 16, 2025, with a sponsor's speech by Senator Pamela Wallin.
Bill S-231, concerning medical assistance in dying, has not yet reached the 'Consideration in committee' stage in the House of Commons, and is currently at the 'Second reading' stage in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-231 in the House of Commons, specifically its 'Consideration in committee' stage. However, the 'Stage state' is marked as 'Not reached', meaning this procedural step has not yet occurred for this bill in the House of Commons. The bill's current overall status is 'At second reading in the Senate', and its latest activity was debate at second reading in the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Bill S-231, concerning medical assistance in dying, has its report stage in the House of Commons marked as 'Not reached', while its current overall status is 'At second reading in the Senate'.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-231, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code related to medical assistance in dying, has reached the 'House of Commons Report stage'. However, the 'Stage state' is marked as 'Not reached', meaning this procedural step has not yet occurred for this bill in the House of Commons. The bill's current overall status is 'At second reading in the Senate'. The text also notes recent activity and speeches related to the bill in the Senate.
Bill S-231 has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons, and is currently at Second Reading in the Senate.
This artifact indicates that the House of Commons has not yet reached the Third Reading stage for Bill S-231. The bill's current progress is in the Senate, where it is at the Second Reading stage. The provided text details past activities in the Senate, including the First Reading on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and Second Reading on Monday, June 16, 2025, with a related debate scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced