Bill S-215 explained in plain English
An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 44th 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-215 excludes post-secondary institutions from bankruptcy laws and requires the federal government to create a plan to protect these institutions and their stakeholders.
Bill S-215 proposes to exclude post-secondary educational institutions from bankruptcy laws and requires the federal government to develop a plan to protect these institutions and their stakeholders. The bill amends two key acts to remove post-secondary institutions from definitions of 'corporation' and 'company', which would prevent them from being subject to bankruptcy proceedings. It also mandates the creation of a proposal outlining federal initiatives to reduce financial risks for these institutions, protect students and staff, and support affected communities. The proposal must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and shared with Parliament.
- Amends the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to exclude post-secondary educational institutions from the definition of 'corporation' (Section 5).
- Amends the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to exclude post-secondary educational institutions from the definition of 'company' (Section 6).
- Requires the designated Minister to develop a proposal for federal initiatives to reduce bankruptcy risks for post-secondary institutions (Section 4(1)).
- Mandates consultation with institutions, provincial/municipal governments, and student/faculty groups when developing the proposal (Section 4(2)).
- Sets a one-year deadline for completing the proposal after the bill comes into force (Section 4(4)).
- Requires the proposal to include legislative amendments and a timeline for their implementation (Section 4(3)).
- Mandates tabling of the proposal in Parliament and public disclosure after it is tabled (Section 4(5) and (6)).
- Post-secondary educational institutions
- Students
- Faculty and staff of post-secondary institutions
- Provincial and municipal governments
- Groups representing students, faculty, and staff
- The bill does not specify the exact criteria for determining which institutions qualify as 'post-secondary educational institutions' for the purposes of these amendments.
- The exact timeline for implementing the legislative amendments in the proposal is not specified in the bill text.
- The process for designating the Minister is not fully detailed beyond the Governor in Council's authority.
Post-secondary educational institutions are no longer considered 'corporations' under this act, which means they cannot be subject to bankruptcy proceedings.
Source: Section 5
Post-secondary educational institutions are no longer considered 'companies' under this act, which means they cannot be subject to insolvency proceedings.
Source: Section 6
A formal process is created for the federal government to develop, consult on, and publicly disclose a proposal for protecting post-secondary institutions.
Source: Section 4
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-215, concerning the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, has completed first reading, been referred to committee, and undergone second reading and committee deliberations in the Senate.
This record describes the procedural steps of Bill S-215, An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, in the Senate. The bill had its first reading on November 24, 2021. It was later referred to a committee on May 17, 2022, and has since undergone second reading speeches and committee consideration. The bill is currently at the stage of consideration in committee in the Senate.
On November 24, 2021, the Senate held tributes for the late Senator Judith Keating, introduced several bills including Bill S-215, and debated a motion to re-establish hybrid sittings.
This artifact details the proceedings of the Senate on November 24, 2021. The Senate began by holding a tribute to the late Senator Judith Keating, with several senators sharing personal reflections and highlighting her career and contributions. Following this, the Senate moved to Routine Proceedings. A motion to extend Routine Proceedings was adopted. Several bills were introduced and received first reading, including Bill S-215, An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, introduced by Senator Lucie Moncion. The Senate also dealt with various notices of motions and inquiries on a range of topics. Finally, a motion to authorize hybrid sittings for the Senate and its committees was debated and the debate was adjourned.
Bill S-215 completed its second reading in the Senate and was referred to committee, with related speeches and information about a similar previous bill noted.
This record outlines the procedural steps for Bill S-215 in the Senate. The bill completed its second reading stage on February 10, 2022, and then was referred to a committee for further consideration. Major speeches related to the bill's second reading occurred on April 26, May 10, and May 17, 2022. The bill is currently at the stage of consideration in committee. The artifact also notes a similar bill, S-237, introduced in a previous parliamentary session.
This Senate sitting on February 10, 2022, involved Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day, including the continuation of debate on Bill S-215 regarding post-secondary institutions.
This record documents a Senate sitting on February 10, 2022. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where committee reports were tabled and motions were presented, Question Period where Senators asked the Government Representative questions on a range of government policies and actions, and Orders of the Day where debates on various bills and motions continued or were adjourned. Specifically, Bill S-215, the Post-Secondary Institutions Bankruptcy Protection Bill, was at the second reading stage and debate continued. The sitting also included debates and motions related to other bills and committee studies. The artifact does not contain the text of any bill, but rather records the procedural steps and discussions surrounding them.
On February 10, 2022, the Senate debated multiple bills and motions, including Bill S-215 concerning post-secondary institution financial stability, Bill S-201 on lowering the voting age, and Bill S-205 on domestic violence, alongside various committee study authorizations.
This artifact is a record of Senate debates on Thursday, February 10, 2022. It does not contain information related to Bill S-215. The Senate's proceedings included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where reports were tabled and committees were authorized to study specific issues, Question Period addressing government actions and policies, and Orders of the Day where debates on several bills and motions were initiated or continued. Notably, the Senate debated Bill S-201 (lowering the voting age to 16), Bill S-205 (addressing interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders), and Bill S-215 (respecting financial stability of post-secondary institutions). The debate on Bill S-215 focused on the precarious financial situations of post-secondary institutions, particularly those serving francophone minority communities, and the potential for them to use bankruptcy laws. The debate on Bill S-229 concerned the language skills required for the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick. Other proceedings involved motions for committees to study specific topics, such as the impacts of climate change, foreign relations, social affairs, agriculture, fisheries, national defence, transport, resource extraction, and anti-racism in health care.
On April 26, 2022, the Senate observed tributes, tabled the budget, held Question Period on diverse topics, and debated several bills at third and second reading stages, including Bill S-215 concerning post-secondary institution financial stability.
On April 26, 2022, the Senate convened for a sitting that included tributes to former Senator Joyce Fairbairn, Guy Lafleur, and Nicole Gladu. Routine proceedings involved tabling the 2022 Budget and notices of motions concerning regulatory modernization and studies on human rights. Question Period covered various topics including emissions reduction targets, military aid to Ukraine, long COVID, and judicial appointments. The Senate then proceeded to Orders of the Day, discussing several bills at third reading, including those related to pandemic observance, forced labour, frozen assets, and ribbon skirts. The Senate also began second reading debate on Bill S-215, "An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions," with Senator Bernadette Clement speaking in favour. Other bills were debated, and committees were authorized to study specific matters.
During a Senate sitting on May 10, 2022, senators continued debate on Bill S-215 regarding the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, highlighting issues of funding, provincial jurisdiction, and institutional management.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on May 10, 2022. The sitting included statements by senators on various topics, tabling of reports, question period on diverse issues, and continuation of debates on several bills. Notably, there was a continued debate on Bill S-215, an Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, which focused on the financial challenges faced by these institutions, using Laurentian University as a case study. The debate touched upon funding models, provincial jurisdiction over education, and institutional mismanagement.
In a Senate debate on a bill concerning the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, Senator Martin discussed the complexities of the issue, supported further study, and raised concerns about the bill's proposed approach.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-215, an Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions, Senator Yonah Martin spoke about the bill. She noted that the bill, prompted by the financial difficulties of Laurentian University, aims to ensure the financial stability of post-secondary institutions. Senator Martin agreed that the bill addresses an important issue but raised concerns about the source of the problem and the proposed solutions, highlighting the complexity of post-secondary education funding, which varies by province and involves jurisdictional issues. She also mentioned that Laurentian University had reportedly experienced years of mismanagement, leading to significant debt. Senator Martin supported referring the bill to a committee for in-depth study.
On May 17, 2022, the Senate held a sitting that included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and debated or advanced several bills, including those concerning post-secondary institution financial stability, voting age, and citizenship, and passed a bill to amend the Citizenship Act.
This artifact summarizes proceedings in the Senate on May 17, 2022. The Senate engaged in several activities, including Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where notices of motions and the first reading of a bill occurred, and Question Period where Senators asked the Government Representative questions on a range of government actions and policies. The Senate also debated and advanced several bills at the Second Reading stage, including a bill related to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions (Bill S-215) and a bill concerning the voting age (Bill S-201). The Senate also completed Third Reading of a bill to amend the Citizenship Act (Bill S-245). The artifact primarily captures the procedural steps and discussions within the Senate, rather than the substantive details of legislation or policy beyond what was discussed in debate.
Bill S-215 was scheduled for consideration in a Senate committee on October 4 and 6, 2022, but this stage was not completed.
This record indicates that Bill S-215, concerning financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, was scheduled for consideration by a Senate committee on October 4, 2022, and October 6, 2022. The stage was not completed. The bill was previously referred to a committee on May 17, 2022. The artifact does not contain details of the committee's discussions or decisions.
Bill S-215, concerning financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, is currently awaiting consideration at the Report stage in the Senate.
The Senate has not yet reached the Report stage for Bill S-215, which concerns measures related to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions. The bill's latest activity was its referral to a committee on May 17, 2022. It had its first reading on November 24, 2021, and its second reading on February 10, 2022. Major speeches related to the bill occurred on April 26, May 10, and May 17, 2022. The bill was considered in committee on October 4 and October 6, 2022. Similar legislation, Bill S-237, was introduced in a previous parliamentary session.
Bill S-215, an Act respecting financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, has not yet reached the Senate Third Reading stage and is currently being considered in committee.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-215, concerning financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, has not yet reached the Senate's Third Reading stage. The bill is currently under consideration in a Senate committee. The record shows the bill's progression through First Reading and Second Reading, including dates of major speeches and committee consideration. It also notes similar bills from a previous Parliament.
Bill S-215, concerning financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, has completed first reading in the House of Commons but has not yet reached that stage in its current progression, and is currently under consideration by a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-215 in the House of Commons. Specifically, it notes that the 'House of Commons First reading' stage has not yet been reached. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The last procedural activity noted for this bill was its referral to a Senate committee on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The first reading in the House of Commons occurred on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
The House of Commons Second Reading stage for Bill S-215 has not yet occurred, while the bill has proceeded through Second Reading and committee consideration in the Senate.
This artifact describes the House of Commons' Second Reading stage for Bill S-215, an Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions. The artifact indicates that this stage has 'Not reached' in the House of Commons. It also details that the bill was referred to a Senate committee on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and underwent committee consideration on October 4 and 6, 2022. The artifact also notes major speeches were made during the Senate's Second Reading on February 10, May 10, and May 17, 2022.
Bill S-215 has progressed to the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage, which has not yet occurred, while its Senate proceedings are documented.
This record indicates that Bill S-215 has reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage, but this stage has not yet been reached. It also provides a timeline of the bill's progress in the Senate, including its referral to committee, first and second readings, and related speeches. A similar bill, S-237, introduced in a previous Parliament, is also mentioned.
The House of Commons Report stage for Bill S-215 has not yet occurred, and the bill is currently being considered by a Senate committee.
The House of Commons Report stage for Bill S-215 has not yet been reached. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The latest activity recorded was its referral to committee in the Senate on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The bill had its first reading on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, and its second reading on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Major speeches were made during the second reading period in April and May 2022. The bill was considered in committee in the Senate on October 4 and 6, 2022. A similar bill, S-237, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
Bill S-215 has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons, and is currently under consideration in a Senate committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-215, concerning financial stability measures for post-secondary institutions, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The timeline shows its progression through First Reading and Second Reading in the Senate, with subsequent committee study. The artifact references similar bills from 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