Bill S-245 explained in plain English
An Act respecting a National Blanket Ceremony Day
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
The Senate debates on March 24, 2026, addressed a wide range of national and international issues, including legislation, tributes, and government accountability through Question Period.
This document is a transcript of the Senate debates on March 24, 2026. It covers various topics, including remarks on Eid al-Fitr, Vimy Ridge Day, artificial intelligence, the passing of Rodger Brulotte, Canada-Solomon Islands relations, the situation in Cuba, and routine proceedings like tabling of reports and committee presentations. It also includes Question Period on topics such as Indigenous mental health services, small and medium-sized businesses, immigration fraud, funding for sports, live horse exports, border security, the state of the economy, return-to-office mandates, official languages, labour shortages in agriculture, and the debate on several bills including the Connected Care for Canadians Bill, the Bill to Implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom to the CPTPP, the National Strategy for Soil Health Bill, and the Bill to Amend the Canada Elections Act. The debates also touched on the emerging problem of satellite debris falls, the vital role of immigrants in Canada, the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the Desjardins Group, and Appropriation Bills.
- The Senate considered Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing), authorizing the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to meet during sittings and adjournments for its consideration.
- The Senate debated Bill S-222, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act to expand the federal voting age to 16- and 17-year-olds.
- The Senate considered Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, presenting amendments from the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
- The Senate considered Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
- The Senate considered Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.
- The Senate considered Bill C-23, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 (Appropriation Bill No. 4, 2025-26).
- The Senate considered Bill C-24, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 (Appropriation Bill No. 1, 2026-27).
- Constituents of the Senate, including those interested in legal and constitutional matters, electoral reform, national defence, and trade agreements.
- Canadian citizens, particularly youth aged 16 and 17, regarding voting rights.
- Indigenous peoples, with a committee authorized to study the impact of the forcible removal of Indigenous children.
- Canadians potentially affected by satellite debris falls.
- Veterans whose cases may be reviewed by an independent military honours review board.
- Immigrants and newcomers to Canada, and their contributions to society.
- Businesses, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, and their access to financing and markets.
- Canadian athletes and the sports sector in relation to climate change.
- Canadian Armed Forces and National Defence spending.
- First Nations and Inuit communities concerning mental health funding and services.
- Francophone communities in Quebec and Ontario, and their financial institutions.
- The general public regarding government spending and fiscal policy.
- The Desjardins Group and its members, employees, and the communities it serves.
- The Senate's role in authorizing government spending through appropriation bills.
- The potential for 16- and 17-year-olds to gain the right to vote.
- The rights of Indigenous peoples are a subject of study by a Senate committee.
- The responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the immigration system.
- The government's commitment to defence spending and meeting NATO targets.
- The role of the Senate in reviewing and scrutinizing government expenditures and policies.
- The Desjardins Group's commitment to its members and community development.
- The rights of employees regarding return-to-office mandates.
- The responsibility to address the emerging problem of satellite debris falls and potential liabilities.
- The fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, is referenced in relation to Appropriation Bill No. 4.
- The fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, is referenced in relation to Appropriation Bill No. 1.
- The Government of Canada's commitment to meet NATO's 5% Defence Investment Pledge by 2035.
- The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement is mentioned as an existing bilateral free trade agreement.
- The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership entered into force in 2018.
- The United Nations designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
- The Desjardins Group celebrated its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary in 2025.
- The Senate considered Bill C-13, which was introduced in the House of Commons on October 21, 2025, referred to committee on December 11, and consideration completed on February 10, 2026.
- Appropriation Bill No. 4 (2025-26) seeks approval for $5.4 billion in planned voting spending, including significant amounts for National Defence, Treasury Board, Canada Post Corporation, and Indigenous Services.
- Appropriation Bill No. 1 (2026-27) relates to federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
- The government's budget proposals and fiscal sustainability are a subject of discussion and analysis.
- The Desjardins Group's financial strength is noted, with over $510 billion in assets and significant surplus earnings distributed to members and the community.
- Discussions on the economy mention food inflation, GDP contraction, job losses, and unemployment rates, with government measures to provide relief such as the Canada Grocery and Essentials Benefit.
- The impact of potential changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on the agriculture and agri-food sector is discussed.
- The cost of upgrading to interoperable health information technology systems is mentioned as a challenge for small family practices.
- The Outer Space Treaty's Liability Convention of 1972 is referenced, which holds launch states technically liable for damage.
- The bill to restrict young persons' online access to pornographic material (Bill S-209) was presented by a committee.
- The bill amending the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Bill S-205) includes amendments presented by a committee.
- The enforcement of immigration laws and the investigation of fraudulent applications are discussed, with reference to Bill C-12 and measures through 2027.
- The government's commitment to combating modern slavery and strengthening border laws is discussed, referencing legislation passed in 2024 and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act of 2020.
- The exact commencement date for the implementation of various bills is not specified.
- The details of how the government plans to address the emerging problem of satellite debris falls and potential liabilities are not fully elaborated.
- The effectiveness of future regulations for penalties and compliance checks for health information technology vendors is mentioned as a potential limit.
- The bill on a national strategy for soil health will require the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to develop a strategy, with specifics to be determined.
- The federal government's budget and fiscal room are discussed, with concerns about narrowing margins.
- The exact amounts of Supplementary Estimates (C) related to national defence require further precision, particularly concerning the $1 billion placeholder at Treasury Board.
- The government's return-to-office mandate is discussed in light of IEA recommendations to work from home, with current hybrid work models stipulated until May 2026.
- The exact details of future changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and their consideration for all agriculture and agri-food sectors are not fully specified.
- The availability of the text for Bill C-23 (Appropriation Bill No. 4, 2025-26) was initially limited, causing a point of order.
- The exact impact of population growth on minority francophone communities and related budgetary expenses will require further analysis.
- The specific resources available at the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer and whether they are adequate are noted as needing further assessment by the nominee.
- The specifics of how the PBO will respond to government expenditure reductions are not fully detailed.
- The Senate's role in scrutinizing government expenditure reductions and the potential for a new PBO to face political pushback are acknowledged.
- The extent to which Indigenous Peoples will be involved in economic delegations and travel related to trade agreements is not fully detailed.
The bill is related to amendments concerning bail and sentencing.
Source: Notice of Motion to Authorize Committee to Meet During Sittings and Adjournment of the Senate
The bill is related to amendments concerning bail and sentencing.
Source: Notice of Motion to Authorize Committee to Meet During Sittings and Adjournment of the Senate
The bill is related to amendments concerning bail and sentencing.
Source: Notice of Motion to Authorize Committee to Meet During Sittings and Adjournment of the Senate
The bill aims to expand the federal voting age to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Source: Hon. Mohammad Al Zaibak's speech on Bill S-222
The bill is related to amendments concerning the expansion of the federal voting age.
Source: Hon. Mohammad Al Zaibak's speech on Bill S-222
The bill has been amended by the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Source: Corrections and Conditional Release Act Bill to Amend—Sixth Report of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Presented
The bill formalizes the United Kingdom's accession to the CPTPP, which covers trade in goods and services, non-tariff barriers, and intellectual property rights, aiming for 99% of tariff lines to be duty-free among parties.
Source: Hon. Iris Petten's speech on Bill C-13
The accession protocol will develop more pathways for Canadian businesses into the UK market, complementing existing comprehensive access under this agreement.
Source: Hon. Iris Petten's speech on Bill C-13
The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is authorized to examine how the forcible removal of Indigenous children constitutes a crime against humanity or genocide, referencing this Act.
Source: Motion to Authorize Committee to Study How the Forcible Removal of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children from their Families and Cultures Constitutes a Crime Against Humanity and a Genocide—Debate Continued
The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is authorized to examine how the forcible removal of Indigenous children constitutes a crime against humanity or genocide, referencing Articles 6 and 7 of this Statute.
Source: Motion to Authorize Committee to Study How the Forcible Removal of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children from their Families and Cultures Constitutes a Crime Against Humanity and a Genocide—Debate Continued
The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples is authorized to examine how the forcible removal of Indigenous children constitutes a crime against humanity or genocide, referencing Article II of this Convention.
Source: Motion to Authorize Committee to Study How the Forcible Removal of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children from their Families and Cultures Constitutes a Crime Against Humanity and a Genocide—Debate Continued
This treaty governs space as free to all and to be managed for the benefit of all countries, prohibiting national claims of sovereignty or property rights.
Source: Hon. Paula Simons' speech on satellite debris
This treaty requires countries to supervise non-governmental entities in outer space and holds launch states technically liable for damage done on re-entry or to airplanes in flight.
Source: Hon. Paula Simons' speech on satellite debris
This Act mentions Canada's ban on the importation of goods produced through slavery.
Source: Hon. Pierre Moreau's response on Public Safety/Canada Border Services Agency
The bill proposes to lower the federal voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds.
Source: Hon. Mohammad Al Zaibak's speech on Bill S-222
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
We don't have a plain-language summary for First reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
The Senate on March 24, 2026, advanced Bill C-15, debated financial inclusion initiatives, and addressed procedural concerns about bill accessibility during its session.
On March 24, 2026, the Senate held a session featuring several key legislative and procedural activities. The National Finance Committee reported on Bill C-15, which was then referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. A motion to establish an Independent Military Honours Review Board was adopted, marking a procedural milestone. The Senate also debated the role of the Desjardins Group in promoting financial inclusion, with a focus on its international work through the Development and Innovation Division (DID) and its impact on climate resilience. The First Reading of Bill C-23, the Appropriation Act, was announced, followed by a Second Reading debate outlining funding allocations for departments like National Defence, Treasury Board, Canada Post, and Indigenous Services, as well as CBC modernization and Coast Guard security. A Point of Order raised concerns about the availability of the bill text, prompting a discussion on procedural transparency and access to legislative documents.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for First reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
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