Bill S-232 explained in plain English
An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements
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-232 restricts federal use of public funds for NDA-related settlements involving harassment/violence/discrimination, mandates reporting requirements, and establishes parliamentary oversight.
Bill S-232, the Can’t Buy Silence Act, restricts the use of federal public funds to settle claims related to harassment, violence, or discrimination involving non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). It requires annual reporting on NDA usage by federal entities and imposes reporting obligations on non-government organizations receiving federal funds. The bill also mandates parliamentary reviews every two years after enactment. Complainants must obtain independent legal advice and make voluntary written requests before NDAs are entered into, with certain exceptions for protected disclosures.
- Prohibits federal departments and Crown corporations from using public funds to litigate NDAs against complainants
- Requires annual reporting by the Treasury Board President on NDA usage in the federal public sector
- Mandates non-government entities receiving federal funds to report NDA usage
- Establishes parliamentary review of the Act every two years post-enactment
- Requires complainants to seek independent legal advice and make voluntary written requests for NDAs
- Exempts certain disclosures (e.g., legal protections, artistic expression, communications with professionals) from NDA restrictions
- Federal public sector entities (departments, Crown corporations)
- Non-government organizations receiving federal funding
- Complainants in harassment/violence/discrimination cases
- Parliamentary staff and related services
- The scope of 'protected disclosures' under NDAs is defined by specific legal exemptions in the bill
- The exact reporting requirements for non-government entities are detailed in amended sections of the Financial Administration Act
- The parliamentary review process is outlined but not fully detailed in the summary
Limits use of federal money to settle claims involving NDAs related to harassment, violence, or discrimination. Requires entities receiving federal funds to report NDA usage.
Prohibits departments from using public funds to litigate NDAs against complainants. Requires complainants to seek legal advice and make voluntary requests for NDAs.
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-232 completed its Senate first reading on June 12, 2025, and is now at second reading with a scheduled debate on April 15, 2026, following a sponsor’s speech by Senator Marilou McPhedran.
Bill S-232, titled 'An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements,' underwent its first reading in the Senate on June 12, 2025. This procedural step involved the formal introduction of the bill and its general approval for further consideration. The bill is now at second reading in the Senate, with a debate scheduled for April 15, 2026. During the second reading, Senator Marilou McPhedran (Non-affiliated) delivered the sponsor’s speech. A similar bill, S-261 (the 'Can’t Buy Silence Act'), was previously introduced in the 44th Parliament and also reached second reading in the Senate. The current status reflects the bill's progression through these procedural stages.
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-232 is undergoing second reading in the Senate, with recorded debates on April 15, 2026, and a similar bill, S-261, previously introduced in the 44th Parliament.
Bill S-232, titled 'An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements,' is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The latest recorded debate occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during a Senate sitting. The bill was first introduced in the Senate on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and its second reading was initially scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025 (Sitting 37). Major speeches during the second reading debate were delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The bill's sponsor, Senator Marilou McPhedran (Non-affiliated), gave a speech during the second reading. A similar bill, S-261 (the 'Can’t Buy Silence Act'), was previously introduced in the 44th Parliament and also reached the second reading stage in the Senate. This record reflects procedural activity and does not alter the law itself.
The Senate session focused on introducing and discussing bills related to workplace rights, health policy, and trade reform, including the 'Can’t Buy Silence Act,' FASD initiatives, and amendments to the Competition Act, alongside procedural tributes.
During the Senate session, several bills were introduced and discussed. Bill S-232, the 'Can’t Buy Silence Act,' aims to prohibit non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in federally funded workplaces to prevent misuse in workplace harassment cases. This was linked to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting its relevance to gender-based violence prevention. Bill S-234 focuses on addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), emphasizing its impact as a multi-generational health issue. Bill S-239, the 'Canadian Prosperity Act,' seeks to improve internal trade by amending the Competition Act, including provisions for a 120-day response period for federal responses to competition-related matters. The discussion also touched on expanding the Competition Bureau's mandate and ensuring accountability mechanisms. A tribute to Vernon and Shirley Petten was included, acknowledging their contributions to Canadian society, though this is procedural rather than legislative. The key themes centered on workplace rights, health policy, and trade reform, with procedural debates focusing on the implementation and scope of these bills.
The Senate debated multiple bills, including S-232 (workplace abuse protections), S-234 (FASD support), and S-239 (Competition Act amendments), while also acknowledging individuals and cultural references.
The Senate debate focused on several bills and topics. Senator McPhedran introduced Bill S-232, which aims to amend the Criminal Code to address workplace abuse through non-disclosure agreements. The discussion highlighted concerns about workplace safety and the need for legal protections. Bill S-234, sponsored by Senator Ravalia, seeks to amend the Federal Child Support Guidelines to better support families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Senator Klyne's Bill S-239 proposes changes to the Competition Act to address anti-competitive practices. Other discussions included a tribute to Vernon and Shirley Petten, and a reference to the Irish proverb 'May the road rise to meet you' as a closing remark.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
During the Senate's second reading of Bill S-232 on April 15, 2026, debate centered on concerns about non-disclosure agreements expanding into workplace issues like sexual misconduct, with a study cited showing 33% of victims avoid complaints due to NDAs, though no legal changes were enacted.
On April 15, 2026, during the Senate's second reading debate of Bill S-232 (An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements), Senator Rosemary Moodie highlighted concerns about the evolving use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). She noted that NDAs, originally designed to protect trade secrets and client confidentiality, have expanded into workplace contexts such as sexual misconduct and discrimination cases. Moodie cited a study by the Canadian arm of Can’t Buy My Silence, which found 33% of workplace harassment or discrimination victims avoid formal complaints due to fears of signing NDAs. The debate focused on NDAs' role in creating power imbalances between victims and employers, with no explicit vote or legal change mentioned in the record. The bill remains at the second reading stage in the Senate.
Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, is currently at the Second Reading stage in the Senate and has not yet reached Third Reading.
The Senate has not yet reached the Third Reading stage for Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements. The bill is currently at the Second Reading stage. The latest activity noted is debate at second reading on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The bill had its First Reading on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and its Second Reading on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. There were major speeches at second reading on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The sponsor's speech at the Second Reading on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, was given by Senator Marilou McPhedran.
Bill S-232, concerning non-disclosure agreements, has reached the first reading stage in the House of Commons, though this stage has not yet occurred, while the bill is currently at second reading in the Senate.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-232, an Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, has reached the first reading stage in the House of Commons. This is an initial procedural step where the bill is formally introduced. The bill's current overall status is at second reading in the Senate, meaning it has progressed further in the legislative process in that chamber. The artifact notes that the 'First reading' stage in the House of Commons has 'Not reached'.
The procedural record indicates that Bill S-232 has reached the 'House of Commons Second reading' stage but has not yet proceeded, while it is currently under debate at the second reading stage in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, within the House of Commons. Specifically, it indicates that the bill has reached the stage of 'House of Commons Second reading' but this stage has 'Not reached'. It also provides information about the bill's current status in the Senate, which is 'At second reading in the Senate', and notes recent activity including debates and speeches in the Senate.
This record outlines the procedural status of Bill S-232, indicating it has not yet reached the House of Commons committee stage and is currently at the second reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes a procedural stage for Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements. The House of Commons Consideration in committee stage has not yet been reached. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The latest activity noted is a debate at second reading in the Senate on April 15, 2026. The bill had its first reading on June 12, 2025, and its second reading in the Senate on November 25, 2025.
Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, has reached the House of Commons Report stage which has not yet occurred, while its current overall status is Second Reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, within the legislative process. It indicates that the bill has reached the 'Report stage' in the House of Commons but this stage has 'Not reached'. The bill's current overall status is 'At second reading in the Senate'. The latest activity noted is debate at second reading in the Senate on April 15, 2026. The artifact also lists previous stages like First Reading on June 12, 2025, and Second Reading in the Senate on November 25, 2025. It mentions a similar bill, S-261, from a previous Parliament.
Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons and is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate.
The artifact indicates that Bill S-232, concerning non-disclosure agreements, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons. The latest activity noted is debate at the second reading stage in the Senate on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The bill had its first reading on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and its second reading on Tuesday, November 25, 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