Bill S-1001 explained in plain English
An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 43rd 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-1001 replaces three older federal incorporation Acts with a modernized Act that continues Girl Guides of Canada as a corporation with updated governance rules.
Bill S-1001 replaces three older federal laws that incorporated Girl Guides of Canada with one new, modernized Act. The bill continues Girl Guides of Canada as a corporation and updates its governance structure to work as a modern charity. The bill confirms that Girl Guides of Canada is a corporation with a head office in Toronto (or elsewhere if changed by bylaw). It can have members according to bylaws, and members are not personally liable for the organization's debts or actions unless the Act says otherwise. The bill states the corporation's purpose: to promote the development, health and well-being of girls and young women through educational programs covering leadership, self-development, self-esteem, citizenship, community service, and social engagement. The corporation has broad powers to operate like a regular business, including the ability to manage provincial and local councils, create programs, publish information, and sell products like uniforms and cookies. It can own and sell property, receive gifts and grants from government and others, and conduct business across Canada and internationally where permitted. The bill establishes rules for the board of directors, who must act honestly and with care. Directors and officers have standard duties to act in the corporation's best interests. The bill allows the corporation to buy insurance for directors and officers and to cover their legal costs in certain situations. The bill protects people who worked for Girl Guides of Canada before this Act came into force—they keep their positions and status. All property, rights, and obligations of the old organization transfer to the new corporation. Any lawsuits or legal proceedings continue as if nothing changed. Three older Acts are repealed: the 1917 incorporation Act, the 1947 amendment Act, and the 1960-61 amendment Act.
- Continues Girl Guides of Canada as a federal corporation under one new Act
- Confirms the corporation's head office is in Toronto or elsewhere as set by bylaw
- Defines the corporation's purpose as promoting girls' and young women's development through educational programs on leadership, self-development, citizenship, and community service
- Gives the corporation broad powers to operate like a natural person, including managing councils and divisions, creating programs, publishing materials, and selling products
- Allows the corporation to own and manage property, receive gifts and grants, and conduct business across Canada and internationally
- Gives the corporation exclusive rights to use its name, marks, badges, and related designations
- Establishes that directors and officers must act honestly and with reasonable care in the corporation's best interests
- Allows the corporation to indemnify (protect) directors and officers against legal costs in civil, criminal, and other proceedings
- Makes directors jointly and severally liable for up to six months' unpaid wages to employees in certain circumstances
- Ensures that people employed by Girl Guides of Canada before the Act came into force keep their positions and status
- Transfers all property, rights, and liabilities of the old corporation to the new corporation
- Ensures that any lawsuits or legal proceedings involving the old corporation continue without interruption
- Repeals three older federal Acts: the 1917 incorporation Act, the 1947 amendment Act, and the 1960-61 amendment Act
- Girl Guides of Canada (the corporation) and its governance
- Members of Girl Guides of Canada
- Directors and officers of Girl Guides of Canada
- Employees of Girl Guides of Canada
- Girls and young women who participate in Girl Guides programs
- People who were working for Girl Guides of Canada before this Act came into force (their positions are protected)
- Creditors of Girl Guides of Canada (as the corporation's obligations transfer)
- The corporation must apply gifts and grants according to their terms and conditions, or in accordance with the corporation's stated purpose if there are no specific terms (Section 11)
- Directors and officers must act honestly and in good faith in the corporation's best interests (Section 13)
- Directors and officers must exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances (Section 13)
- Directors and officers must comply with this Act and the corporation's bylaws (Section 13)
- Members of the corporation are not personally liable for the corporation's debts or actions except as the Act provides (Section 4)
- The corporation has exclusive rights to use its name, marks, badges, and other designations (Section 12)
- Directors can be held jointly and severally liable for up to six months' unpaid wages to employees under certain conditions (Section 17)
- The corporation may indemnify directors and officers against legal costs in certain civil, criminal, and investigative proceedings (Section 16)
- The corporation must comply with the bylaws it establishes (Section 9)
- The date when this Act comes into force (the bill text does not specify a particular date; it will be proclaimed by the Governor General)
- Transitional provisions apply from the day this Act comes into force, protecting the positions and status of current directors, officers, and members (Section 18)
- The corporation may receive gifts, grants, and contributions from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, municipalities, and private sources (Section 11)
- The corporation may distribute such gifts, grants, and contributions in accordance with their terms or its stated purpose (Section 11)
- Directors can be held liable for up to six months' unpaid wages per employee in certain bankruptcy or dissolution scenarios (Section 17)
- The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for directors and officers (Section 16)
- Directors are jointly and severally liable for up to six months' unpaid wages per employee, but only under specified conditions: if the corporation has been sued without successful execution, if liquidation proceedings are underway, or if the corporation has declared bankruptcy (Section 17)
- A director's liability expires if the director is not sued within two years after ceasing to be a director (Section 17(3))
- A director who pays an employee's wages can recover their share of the liability from other liable directors (Section 17(6))
- The corporation may not indemnify directors and officers unless they acted honestly and in good faith, and in criminal cases had reasonable grounds to believe their conduct was lawful (Section 16)
- The bill does not specify the exact date on which the Act comes into force; this will be determined by proclamation of the Governor General
- The bill allows the corporation's head office to be changed from Toronto to 'elsewhere' by bylaw, but does not limit where this could be
- The bill allows the corporation to conduct affairs outside Canada 'to the extent that the laws of that jurisdiction permit,' but does not define the scope of such activities
- The bill references 'terms, provisions and conditions' of gifts and grants but does not provide examples or enforcement mechanisms for such conditions
- The bill allows directors and officers to rely on financial statements and professional reports in good faith, but does not define what constitutes 'reasonable reliance'
- The bill allows the corporation to approve new marks, emblems, and badges for trademark use but does not detail the approval process with the minister
- The bill does not specify how many directors the corporation must have or their qualifications
The original 1917 Act that created Girl Guides of Canada is repealed and replaced by this new Act.
Source: Section 22(a)
The 1947 amendment to the original Act is repealed.
Source: Section 22(b)
The 1960-61 Act regarding Girl Guides of Canada is repealed.
Source: Section 22(c)
The bill references this Act in relation to the conditions under which directors can be held liable for employee wages if the corporation goes bankrupt or is dissolved.
Source: Section 17(2)(c)
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-1001 respecting Girl Guides of Canada completed its first reading in the Senate on February 5, 2020, and proceeded to second reading where speeches were made on March 11, 2020.
This record indicates that Bill S-1001, an Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, completed its first reading in the Senate on February 5, 2020. The bill was later at the second reading stage, with related speeches occurring on March 11, 2020. The artifact does not detail the content of the bill itself, only its procedural progression.
The Senate formally introduced Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, during its first reading, alongside other procedural matters and tributes to a retiring senator.
On February 5, 2020, the Senate held its first reading of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. This artifact primarily records the Senate's proceedings, including tributes to Senator David Tkachuk on the occasion of his retirement, various notices of motions, and questions raised during Question Period. The introduction and first reading of Bill S-1001 was a brief procedural step where the bill was formally presented to the Senate.
Bill S-1001, concerning Girl Guides of Canada, proceeded to second reading debate in the Senate on March 11, 2020, with speeches given by Senators Jaffer and Dalphond, although the stage remained incomplete.
This record details the procedural step of the Senate's second reading of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, which occurred on March 11, 2020. The stage was not completed. The record indicates that a debate took place, including a sponsor's speech by Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer and a response speech by Senator Pierre Dalphond. This artifact notes that a similar bill, S-1002, was introduced in a previous Parliament and reached third reading in the Senate. The information provided focuses on the procedural progress of the bill within the Senate, not its final legal effect.
The Senate held a sitting on March 11, 2020, featuring Senator statements, question period, routine proceedings, and the adjournment of the second reading debate for Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada.
On March 11, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included Senator statements on various topics, routine proceedings, question period on national defence, infrastructure, privy council, foreign affairs, and other matters. The Senate also dealt with various orders of the day, including authorizing the National Finance Committee to study Main Estimates, and debating inquiries on guaranteed livable income and human rights in Hong Kong. A key item was the second reading debate of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, which was adjourned. Procedural motions were adopted regarding committee selection and membership, and the placement of committee reports on the Orders of the Day. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the debate on the inquiry regarding human rights in Hong Kong.
The Senate began the second reading debate of Bill S-1001, an act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, with supporting speeches from Senators Jaffer and Dalphond, before adjourning the debate.
On March 11, 2020, the Senate proceeded to the Order of the Day. As part of this, Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer moved second reading of Bill S-1001, an act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. She spoke about the history of the Girl Guides and its current impact, highlighting its programs and commitment to empowering girls. Senator Pierre J. Dalphond also spoke in support, noting that amendments to the bill, particularly regarding director liability for unpaid wages, had been incorporated from a previous attempt to pass the bill. The debate on Bill S-1001 was adjourned.
In the Senate on March 11, 2020, the debate on Bill S-1001 concerning Girl Guides of Canada was adjourned, and senators also discussed various other national and international issues.
During a Senate sitting on March 11, 2020, senators discussed various matters, including Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. The debate on this bill was adjourned, meaning it was not concluded in this sitting. Senators also spoke on topics such as the Tim Hortons Brier curling championship, International Women's Day, elder care, climate change, economic policy, the Arctic Games, and the federal budget. There were also discussions and questions raised regarding surtaxes on steel and aluminum, military aircraft procurement, submarine modernization, the Gas Tax Fund, and Canada-China relations. A motion to establish a selection committee was adopted, as was a motion on committee composition. The debate on Bill S-1001 specifically was adjourned.
Bill S-1001, concerning the Girl Guides of Canada, has not yet reached third reading in the Senate, with the latest recorded action being debate at second reading.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, within the Senate. The bill has not yet reached the third reading stage. The latest activity recorded was the debate at second reading on March 11, 2020. The bill was first read on February 5, 2020, and completed second reading on March 11, 2020. Major speeches were made by Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer and Senator Pierre Dalphond during the second reading debate. A similar bill, S-1002, was introduced in a previous Parliament and was also titled An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada.
Bill S-1001, an Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, has had its first and second readings in the Senate, and has not yet undergone first reading in the House of Commons.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-1001, an Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, has not yet reached the 'House of Commons First reading' stage. The bill's current status is 'At second reading in the Senate', with the latest activity being a debate at second reading on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The first reading occurred on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, and second reading also took place on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
This record indicates that Bill S-1001 has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons, with its most recent activity being second reading debates in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The latest activity related to this bill occurred in the Senate on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, with major speeches during its second reading debate. The bill was first read on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
This record indicates that Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, has not yet reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, with its latest procedural activity being second reading debate in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. The bill has not yet reached the stage of consideration in committee in the House of Commons. The latest activity noted is debate at second reading in the Senate on March 11, 2020. The bill had its first reading on February 5, 2020, and its second reading debate occurred on March 11, 2020, in the Senate. The record also mentions a similar bill, S-1002, from a previous Parliament concerning the Girl Guides of Canada.
Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate, with related debate and speeches having occurred on March 11, 2020.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada. Although the artifact's label is 'House of Commons Report stage' and the 'Stage state' is 'Not reached,' the 'Current status' indicates the bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The 'Latest activity' shows debate at second reading occurred in the Senate on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, with major speeches from Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer and Senator Pierre Dalphond. The bill had its first reading on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada, has not yet reached the third reading in the House of Commons and is currently at second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-1001, concerning Girl Guides of Canada, has not yet reached the third reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is at second reading in the Senate, with the latest activity being a debate on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Similar legislation, Bill S-1002, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
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