Bill S-214 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets)
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
Bill S-214 expands the Canadian government's authority to seize and forfeit property owned or controlled by foreign states, shifting liability for seizure costs to the property owner and allowing the Governor in Council to issue forfeiture orders without judicial review.
Bill S-214 amends the Special Economic Measures Act to expand the government's authority to seize and forfeit property related to foreign states. Key changes include: 1. Cost Liability: Property owners must cover costs incurred by the government for seizing property (under section 4(1)(b)) or disposing of forfeited property (section 5.4). These costs can be recovered through court. 2. Forfeiture Transfer: Property forfeited under section 5.4 or 5.41 is transferred to the Crown, affecting the rights of secured and unsecured creditors (section 5.2(b)). 3. New Forfeiture Authority: The Governor in Council can forfeit property owned, held, or controlled by a foreign state under an order made under paragraph 4(1)(b) (new section 5.41). This allows the government to seize foreign state assets without a judicial order. 4. Proceeds Account Use: Funds from the Proceeds Account (defined in the Seized Property Management Act) can be used to pay for costs related to order-making, seizures, and forfeiture applications (section 5.6). 5. RCMP Assistance: The RCMP can assist the Minister in matters related to order-making, seizure, and forfeiture applications. They can collect and disclose information to those mentioned in section 6.1 (section 6.2(1)). The bill strengthens the government's ability to act against foreign state assets, potentially for national security or anti-terrorism purposes. However, it raises concerns about due process and the scope of executive power.
- Amends the Special Economic Measures Act to allow the Governor in Council to forfeit property owned, held, or controlled by a foreign state under an order made under paragraph 4(1)(b) (new section 5.41).
- Transfers forfeited property to the Crown, affecting creditor rights (section 5.2(b)).
- Requires property owners to cover costs of government actions related to property seizure or disposal (section 5.4).
- Allows the use of funds from the Proceeds Account to cover costs associated with forfeiture processes (section 5.6).
- Authorizes the RCMP to assist the Minister in matters related to order-making, seizure, and forfeiture applications (section 6.2(1)).
- Property owners whose assets are seized or forfeited under the Act.
- Secured and unsecured creditors affected by the transfer of forfeited property to the Crown.
- The Governor in Council, who can issue forfeiture orders under the new provisions.
- The RCMP, which is authorized to assist in enforcement activities.
- The Minister of Justice, who oversees the implementation of the Act.
- The bill does not specify the criteria for determining which foreign state assets qualify for forfeiture.
- The exact procedures for the Governor in Council to issue forfeiture orders are not detailed in the text.
- The implications for international relations and compliance with international law are not addressed in the bill.
The bill grants the government broader power to seize foreign state assets and shifts financial responsibility for seizure costs to the property owner.
The Proceeds Account provides funds for expenses related to the enforcement of forfeiture orders under the amended Act.
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-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, completed its first reading in the Senate on May 28, 2025, as part of its legislative process.
Bill S-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, completed its first reading in the Senate on May 28, 2025. This is a procedural step that formally introduces the bill into the legislative process. The bill's journey through the Senate included subsequent stages like second reading, committee study, and third reading, before it proceeded to the House of Commons for its first reading. The provided text indicates that a similar bill, S-278, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
The Senate debate covers the introduction of bills, questions about official languages appointments, trade disputes, and a reference to the Speech from the Throne.
The Senate debate transcript includes several key topics. First, there is a welcome to new senators, followed by the introduction of bills S-211 and S-212. A senator raises a question about the appointment of the Commissioner of Official Languages, which the government responds to by citing the 2023-2024 budget. Another senator questions the government's stance on interprovincial trade disputes, and the government acknowledges the complexity of such issues. Finally, a speech from the throne is referenced, with a note on land acknowledgment practices.
The Senate completed the second reading of Bill S-214 on March 12, 2026, advancing it to third reading without altering the law at this stage.
This record documents the Senate's second reading of Bill S-214, which amends the Special Economic Measures Act regarding the disposal of foreign state assets. The second reading occurred on March 12, 2026, during Sitting 58. Senator Donna Dasko (Independent Senators Group) delivered the sponsor's speech during this stage. The bill progressed to third reading in the Senate after this stage. A committee report was presented on May 7, 2026, and the bill's current status is at third reading in the Senate. No legal changes were enacted at this stage.
The Senate debates Bill C-14's impact on criminal justice and discusses measures against organized crime, referencing related bills without specifying outcomes.
The provided text contains two debate chunks from the Canadian Senate. The first chunk (chunk 1) discusses Bill C-14, which proposes changes to bail and sentencing laws. A senator criticizes the bill for potentially increasing prison populations and harming communities. The second chunk (chunk 2) mentions organized crime and the need for stronger measures against it, with references to previous committee work on related bills (S-214, S-241, and S-242). No specific votes or outcomes are mentioned.
This metadata references a Senate debate discussion document in HTML format, with the full text available at the specified URL.
The provided JSON metadata indicates a Senate debate discussion document formatted in HTML. The official text is accessible via the provided URL, and the content pertains to a discussion in the Senate chamber. No specific debate content or legislative details are included in the metadata itself.
This Senate debate transcript from June 20, 2023, discusses Bill C-210, focusing on mental health and learning disabilities support, with speeches available at the provided official text URL.
The provided text is a Senate debate transcript from June 20, 2023, discussing Bill C-210, the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Act. The debate includes speeches by Senators highlighting the bill's focus on improving mental health and learning disabilities support in Canada. The official text of the debate is available at the provided URL.
Bill S-214 advanced to third reading in the Senate after completing its committee consideration stage on May 7, 2026, with no legal changes enacted during this procedural step.
Bill S-214, which amends the Special Economic Measures Act regarding the disposal of foreign state assets, reached the Senate's third reading stage in May 2026. The Senate's committee consideration phase was completed on May 7, 2026, with the presentation of a committee report. This stage involved reviewing the bill's details and preparing for its final reading. The bill had previously passed its second reading on March 12, 2026, and first reading on May 28, 2025. No legal changes were enacted during this stage; it only advanced the bill toward potential final approval.
The Senate sitting record details ongoing debate on procedural motions and legislative topics without a finalized legislative outcome.
This record documents a Senate sitting session in Canada, featuring debate on various legislative and procedural matters. The discussion includes motions, questions, and procedural motions, with speakers referencing specific bills and parliamentary procedures. No final legislative outcome is recorded in this excerpt, as it appears to be an ongoing debate session.
Bill S-214 completed its third reading in the Senate and is now awaiting first reading in the House of Commons.
This record indicates that Bill S-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, completed its third reading in the Senate on May 26, 2026. The bill has since moved to the House of Commons and is awaiting its first reading there. The artifact also notes previous stages in the Senate, including first and second readings, and committee consideration, as well as a sponsor's speech at second reading.
During the Senate's third reading of Bill S-214, senators debated the implications of amending the Special Economic Measures Act to allow for the seizure and repurposing of foreign state assets, ultimately passing the bill.
On May 26, 2026, the Senate of Canada convened for its third reading of Bill S-214, "An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets)." The sitting included various routine proceedings, senators' statements on cultural and religious observances, and debates on other bills. The primary focus of this record is the third reading debate of Bill S-214, where Senator Donna Dasko sponsored the bill, explaining its purpose to create a legal pathway for seizing and repurposing the assets of states that violate international peace and security. The debate also touched upon the risks and benefits of the bill, including potential retaliation, capital flight, and the bill's role as an additional tool for sanctions policy. Other senators, including Senator Peter Harder and Senator David Wells, raised concerns about unintended consequences and the bill originating as a private member's bill rather than a government initiative. The bill was ultimately passed by the Senate. The sitting also featured debates on Bill S-5 (Connected Care for Canadians Act) and Bill S-235 (National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking Act), alongside other procedural business.
Bill S-214, an Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets), is awaiting its First Reading in the House of Commons, having completed all stages in the Senate.
This record describes the procedural status of Bill S-214 in the House of Commons. As of the information provided, the bill has not yet reached its First Reading stage in the House of Commons, although it is listed as awaiting this step. The bill has already completed its journey through the Senate, reaching Third Reading there. The artifact details the historical progression of the bill through the Senate, including First, Second, Committee, and Third Reading dates, and notes that a similar bill, S-278, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
Bill S-214, an Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets), has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons, being currently awaiting its first reading.
This record indicates that the "House of Commons Second reading" stage for Bill S-214 has not yet occurred. The bill, concerning amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act related to the disposal of foreign state assets, is currently awaiting its first reading in the House of Commons. The provided information details its progression through the Senate, including its sponsor's speech at second reading and subsequent committee and third reading dates, before its arrival in the House of Commons.
Bill S-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, has not yet been considered in committee by the House of Commons, though it has progressed through various stages in the Senate.
The House of Commons has not yet reached the stage of 'Consideration in committee' for Bill S-214. This bill, which aims to amend the Special Economic Measures Act concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, is currently awaiting its first reading in the House of Commons after having completed stages in the Senate. The record shows historical dates for its progression through the Senate, including first reading, second reading, major speeches, consideration in committee, and third reading.
Bill S-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, is awaiting Report Stage in the House of Commons, having completed Third Reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-214, concerning the disposal of foreign state assets, has not yet reached the Report Stage in the House of Commons. The bill's latest activity was Third Reading in the Senate on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. It had its First Reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, followed by Second Reading on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The bill was considered in committee on several dates in April and May 2026 before its Third Reading in the Senate. A similar bill, S-278, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
This artifact shows that Bill S-214 has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons, as it is still awaiting its first reading there.
The artifact indicates that the House of Commons has not yet reached the Third Reading stage for Bill S-214. The bill's current status is that it is a Senate bill awaiting its first reading in the House of Commons. The last recorded activity for this bill was Third Reading in the Senate on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The bill had its First Reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
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