Bill S-238 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (information about the victim)
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-238 would amend Canadian criminal law to prohibit offenders from publishing, distributing, or sharing information about victims of crimes on the internet, through new provisions in the Criminal Code and Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
Bill S-238 proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights to give courts authority to order individuals accused of crimes to refrain from sharing information about victims online. The changes would apply during sentencing, bail conditions, and other legal processes.
- Adds new subsection (d.1) to Criminal Code section 501(3) requiring offenders to abstain from sharing victim-related information online
- Amends Criminal Code section 515(4) and (4.2) to include prohibitions on online victim information sharing
- Replaces wording in Form 32 of Part XXVII of the Criminal Code to restrict communication with victims and online information sharing
- Creates new rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights to prevent offenders from sharing victim information online
- Includes conditional amendments that would take effect if Bill S-205 receives royal assent, adding further restrictions on online victim information sharing
- Individuals accused of crimes
- Victims of crimes
- Courts and judges
- Law enforcement agencies
- The exact scope of 'information concerning the victim' is not defined in the bill text
- The effectiveness of these provisions depends on implementation by courts and law enforcement
- The conditional amendments related to Bill S-205 are only effective if that bill receives royal assent
Courts can now order offenders to avoid sharing information about victims online during legal proceedings
Source: Sections 501(3), 515(4), 515(4.2), 516(2), 522(2.1), 810.02(6), 810.03(3), 810.03(7), 810.1(3.02)
Victims of crimes would have new legal protections to prevent offenders from sharing information about them online
Source: Section 11.1
If passed, would add additional restrictions on online victim information sharing for child-related offenses
Source: Section 810.03(7)(e.1)
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-238 completed its First Reading in the Senate on February 24, 2022, and was later referred to a committee.
This artifact describes the procedural step of the First Reading of Bill S-238 in the Senate on February 24, 2022. This stage is completed. The bill was later referred to a committee on November 3, 2022. The summary also notes major speeches given at the second reading stage.
During the Senate sitting on February 24, 2022, Bill S-238 received first reading, senators debated and condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and discussions were held on various bills and committee studies.
This artifact summarizes the Senate sitting on February 24, 2022. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, including the situation in Ukraine, and Routine Proceedings where several reports were tabled and notices of motions were given. Notably, Bill S-238, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, was introduced and received first reading. The Senate also debated and adopted a motion condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Question Period addressed topics such as COVID-19 mandates, the Emergencies Act, and child care agreements. The sitting also included debates on several bills, including Bill C-10 (COVID-19 measures), Bill C-12 (Guaranteed Income Supplement), Bill S-204 (goods from Xinjiang), Bill S-205 (electronic monitoring for domestic violence), and Bill S-220 (bilingualism). Motions were also adopted to authorize committees to study specific issues related to foreign affairs, energy, the environment, and natural resources. Finally, an inquiry regarding the decentralization of federal government jobs was debated.
Bill S-238 successfully passed second reading in the Senate on March 3, 2022, and was then referred to committee on November 3, 2022, where it is currently being considered.
This record details the procedural steps for Bill S-238 in the Senate. The bill completed its second reading stage on March 3, 2022, and was subsequently referred to a Senate committee on November 3, 2022. The current status of the bill is that it is under consideration by a committee in the Senate.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-238, senators discussed the bill's purpose to protect victims' information online, alongside other legislative and procedural matters.
On March 3, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (information about the victim). The debate at the second reading stage focused on the content of the bill and its implications for victims of crime and their families. The bill aims to prohibit offenders from posting information or images of their victims online. Senators also discussed other matters, including the Emergencies Act, the Old Age Security Act, climate change initiatives, and various committee reports and motions.
This Senate record from March 3, 2022, shows proceedings including farewell statements, discussions on global events and climate change with the Environment Minister, legislative debates on various bills, and procedural matters concerning committee reviews and Senate operations.
This Senate record details proceedings from March 3, 2022, including Senator Griffin's farewell remarks, discussions on World Engineering Day, the situation in Ukraine, and congratulations to Canadian athletes. It also covers routine proceedings such as committee reports and motions to change committee membership. The Senate debated the Emergencies Act and the Old Age Security Act. A significant portion of the record is dedicated to Question Period with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, covering topics like the Bay du Nord Development Project, emissions reduction plans, climate change challenges, collaboration with Indigenous groups, Migratory Birds Regulations, carbon tax, nuclear energy, federal departments' climate policy, the 2030 Agenda, oil and gas production, liquefied natural gas, climate change adaptation, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The Senate also discussed and passed a modified motion regarding the appointment of a special joint committee to review the Emergencies Act. Other items included the second reading of the Food Day in Canada Bill, debate on amendments to the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations related to Prince Edward Island, and the second reading of Bill S-238 concerning victim information and rights. The Senate also debated its own environmental and sustainability policy, the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and First Nations, and motions authorizing committees to meet during adjournments. Finally, delayed answers to oral questions and a concluding summary of the day's proceedings are provided.
During the second reading debate of Bill S-238, Senator Pate expressed concerns that the bill's broad language could negatively impact victims' rights, particularly those who have acted in self-defence.
On November 3, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. During the second reading debate, Senator Kim Pate raised concerns that the bill, while intending to protect victims by prohibiting offenders from posting information about victims online, could be interpreted too broadly. She argued that the bill's wording might inadvertently restrict the free speech rights of accused individuals and could potentially be used against victims themselves, particularly Indigenous women who have acted in self-defence. Senator Pate suggested that the bill might create more problems than it solves and recommended addressing the root causes of violence instead. Following this debate, Bill S-238 was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for further study.
During a Senate sitting on November 3, 2022, proceedings included statements, question period, and the advancement of multiple bills, with Bill S-238 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights) being referred to committee following second reading, though the detailed discussion for this specific bill is not present in this transcript.
This Senate debate record from November 3, 2022, primarily discusses various Senate business items, including statements, question period, and the progression of several bills. While the provided text includes a reference to "Bill to Amend—Second Reading Referred to Committee" for "Criminal Code Canadian Victims Bill of Rights," the actual debate for Bill S-238 (which is this bill) is not detailed in this specific extract. The text focuses on other legislative matters and discussions, rather than the substance or procedural steps of Bill S-238 at this stage.
Bill S-238 is currently at the stage of consideration in committee within the Senate, with no specific committee activity reported beyond its referral.
The Senate is currently considering Bill S-238 in committee. This stage of the process involves detailed examination of the bill by a committee of senators. The provided text indicates that there has been no specific activity within the committee stage itself, but notes the bill was referred to the committee on November 3, 2022. Previous stages included first reading on February 24, 2022, and second reading on March 3, 2022, which included speeches from Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu and Senator Kim Pate.
Bill S-238, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, has been referred to committee and is awaiting the Report stage in the Senate.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-238 has reached the Report stage in the Senate, but this stage has not yet been reached. The bill was referred to a committee on November 3, 2022, and had its First Reading on February 24, 2022, and Second Reading on March 3, 2022. The text also notes major speeches given at the Second Reading stage by Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu and Senator Kim Pate. A similar bill, S-235, introduced in a previous Parliament, is also mentioned.
Bill S-238 has been referred to a Senate committee for detailed review, with previous steps including First and Second Readings.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-238 in the Canadian Senate. The bill is currently at the 'consideration in committee' stage, meaning it has been referred to a Senate committee for detailed review. The latest procedural activity noted is its referral to committee on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The artifact also lists key dates for its First and Second Reading, as well as major speeches given during the Second Reading stage. It also points to similar bills from a previous Parliament.
Bill S-238, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, reached its First Reading in the House of Commons on February 24, 2022, but this procedural step is marked as not yet reached, and the bill is currently under consideration in a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the procedural steps for Bill S-238 in the House of Commons. The bill had its First Reading on February 24, 2022. The source text indicates that this specific procedural step (House of Commons First reading) has not yet been reached or occurred in the context of the bill's progression through the House of Commons, despite being listed as a potential stage. The bill is currently at the stage of consideration in committee in the Senate, with its latest activity being a referral to a Senate committee on November 3, 2022. The text also mentions major speeches given at the Second Reading in the Senate and notes a similar bill, S-235, from a previous Parliament.
Bill S-238 has not yet proceeded to Second Reading in the House of Commons, currently being under consideration in a Senate committee.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-238 has not yet reached the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is "At consideration in committee in the Senate," with its latest activity being a referral to a committee in the Senate on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The record shows that the bill had its First Reading on Thursday, February 24, 2022, and its Second Reading was scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2022, in the Senate. Major speeches related to the Second Reading occurred on Thursday, November 3, 2022, in the Senate, with a sponsor's speech on March 3, 2022, and a response speech on November 3, 2022. The artifact also notes similar bills introduced in a previous Parliament.
Bill S-238, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, has not yet reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, with its latest procedural step being a referral to a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the legislative process for Bill S-238 in the House of Commons. It indicates that the stage for 'Consideration in committee' in the House of Commons has not yet been reached. The bill's most recent activity was its referral to a committee in the Senate on November 3, 2022. The summary also provides details on the bill's first and second readings in the Senate, including the dates and relevant speeches.
The "House of Commons Report stage" for Bill S-238 has not yet occurred, while the bill is currently being considered by a Senate committee.
This artifact concerns Bill S-238, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights regarding victim information. The provided text indicates that the "House of Commons Report stage" for this bill has "Not reached". The bill's current status is "At consideration in committee in the Senate", with its latest activity being a referral to a Senate committee on November 3, 2022. The artifact also lists historical events like first and second readings in the Senate and notes similar bills introduced previously.
This record indicates that the 'House of Commons Third reading' stage for Bill S-238 has not yet occurred, with the bill currently under consideration by a Senate committee.
This artifact relates to Bill S-238, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. The specific artifact marks the 'House of Commons Third reading' stage. However, the provided text indicates that this stage has 'Not reached' and the bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The latest activity noted was its referral to a committee in the Senate on November 3, 2022. The text also lists the dates for First and Second Reading in the Senate, and provides links to major speeches given during the Second Reading debate.
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