Bill S-225 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 40th Parliament, 2nd 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-225, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship), proposes to ensure that provisions of the Citizenship Act related to the oath of citizenship apply regardless of sections 2 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This bill proposes to amend the Citizenship Act. The amendment would make it clear that the parts of the Act dealing with the oath of citizenship apply even if they conflict with sections 2 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 2 of the Charter deals with the freedom of conscience and religion, and section 15 deals with equality rights.
- Amends the Citizenship Act.
- Establishes that provisions of the Citizenship Act concerning the oath of citizenship apply notwithstanding sections 2 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Individuals seeking to become Canadian citizens, as they are required to take an oath of citizenship.
- The application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in relation to the citizenship oath.
- The obligation for individuals to take an oath of citizenship.
- The right to equality and freedom of conscience and religion as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- The bill was given first reading on February 10, 2009.
- The bill does not specify what happens if the oath of citizenship is not taken or if the form of the oath is not in compliance with the Act, beyond stating that the Act's provisions apply notwithstanding certain Charter sections.
- The bill's text does not provide details on how the 'notwithstanding' clause will be interpreted or applied in practice, particularly in relation to potential challenges concerning sections 2 and 15 of the Charter.
Adds a new section (2.1) that states the provisions of the Act related to the oath of citizenship and its wording apply despite sections 2 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Source: Section 1 of the Bill, which adds section 2.1 to the Citizenship Act.
Sections 2 (fundamental freedoms, including freedom of conscience and religion) and 15 (equality rights) will not prevent the application of the Citizenship Act's provisions regarding the oath of citizenship.
Source: Section 2.1 of the Citizenship Act as proposed by the Bill.
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-225, an act to amend the Citizenship Act regarding the oath of citizenship, completed its first reading in the Senate on February 10, 2009, and moved to second reading on March 31, 2009.
This record indicates that Bill S-225, concerning amendments to the oath of citizenship, completed its first reading in the Senate on February 10, 2009. It also shows that the bill proceeded to second reading on March 31, 2009, with a sponsor's speech by Senator Hugh Segal.
On February 10, 2009, Bill S-225, concerning amendments to the Citizenship Act regarding the oath of citizenship, received its first reading in the Senate and was scheduled for second reading at a later date.
On February 10, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. During routine proceedings, Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship), was presented for its first reading by Senator Hugh Segal. The bill was then placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence. The rest of the sitting involved tabling of various reports, discussions on the budget, job losses, international affairs, and the status of Omar Khadr, as well as debating other bills not related to Bill S-225. The sitting concluded with other legislative business and inquiries.
Bill S-225, concerning amendments to the oath of citizenship, was undergoing debate at the second reading stage in the Senate as of December 1, 2009.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-225, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship), in the Senate. The bill was at the second reading stage, meaning Senators were beginning to debate its merits. The latest activity noted was debate on December 1, 2009. The bill had its first reading on February 10, 2009, and its second reading formally began on March 31, 2009. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on May 28, 2009, October 6, 2009, and December 1, 2009. The artifact also notes a similar bill, S-231, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
On March 31, 2009, the Senate of Canada convened, during which various matters were addressed, including the tabling of reports, introduction of bills, discussions on the Canadian military and CBC funding, and notably, Bill S-225 regarding the oath of citizenship was moved for second reading and its debate adjourned.
On March 31, 2009, the Senate of Canada met. During the sitting, senators debated various topics, including the Canadian military, the sixtieth anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador joining Canada, the passing of Dr. Wilfred M. Carter, and tributes to hockey players Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell. The Senate also heard statements on women's representation in Rwanda and congratulations for Senator Marcel Prud'homme's decoration. Routine proceedings included the tabling of several annual reports, including those from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Plan, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and the Auditor General. Several bills were introduced at first reading. The Senate also discussed a report from the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence regarding an amendment to the Customs Act. During Question Period, discussions touched upon CBC/Radio-Canada funding, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Senate appointments, and green technology. The sitting concluded with a series of 'Orders of the Day' where various bills and inquiries were addressed. Specifically, Bill S-225, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship), was moved for second reading by Senator Hugh Segal, and the debate was adjourned.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-225, Senator Hugh Segal moved the bill, arguing it would protect the Oath of Citizenship from court challenges using the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a position that led to questions and subsequent adjournment of the debate.
This is a record of the Senate's debate on March 31, 2009, concerning Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act regarding the oath of citizenship. The debate was initiated by Senator Hugh Segal, who moved second reading of the bill. Senator Segal explained that the bill aims to give statutory status to the Oath of Citizenship, protecting it from being challenged in court under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He argued that while the Charter is important, it should not be used to negate the role of the Crown within the oath. He also stated that individuals who do not wish to swear allegiance to Her Majesty should have the right to refrain from becoming citizens, but should not be able to use the Charter to remove the Crown's role from the oath through legal challenges. Senator Lorna Milne asked clarifying questions about the application of the Charter to non-citizens and the historical evolution of citizenship. Senator Segal reiterated that his intention was not to limit the Charter's application to all individuals but to protect the oath of allegiance from being struck down by courts. Following this exchange, the debate on Bill S-225 was adjourned.
During a Senate sitting on May 28, 2009, debate on Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship), was continued as part of the second reading proceedings.
On May 28, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included various routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. Bill S-225, concerning an amendment to the Citizenship Act related to the oath of citizenship, was listed under "Orders of the Day" for second reading debate, and the debate was continued. No specific procedural steps beyond the continuation of the debate occurred for Bill S-225 during this sitting. The sitting also included debates and proceedings on numerous other bills and matters, as well as senators' statements on various topics.
The Senate continued the debate on Bill S-225 at the second reading stage, but the debate was adjourned without completion.
On October 6, 2009, the Senate debated Bill S-225, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship). The debate on the second reading of the bill was continued from a previous sitting. The official record indicates that the debate on this bill was adjourned and not completed during this sitting. The sitting also included other proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and discussions on other bills and committee reports. The proceedings related to Bill S-225 were adjourned to a later date.
During the Senate's second reading debate of Bill S-225 on December 1, 2009, the debate was adjourned, and no decision was made on the bill.
On December 1, 2009, the Senate sat for a debate at the second reading stage of Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act concerning the oath of citizenship. The debate itself was adjourned, meaning no decision was made on the bill during this sitting. The sitting also included other Senate business, such as senators' statements on various topics, routine proceedings, question period, and debates on other bills and motions. The primary focus of the provided text is the procedural aspect of the sitting and the various discussions that took place, rather than the specific details of Bill S-225.
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