Bill S-243 explained in plain English
An Act to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada
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-243 establishes a federal framework for women's health requiring collaboration, reporting, and periodic reviews to improve health outcomes and equity for women.
Bill S-243 proposes a federal framework to improve women's health in Canada by creating a national strategy. It requires the Minister of Health to work with other officials, provinces, territories, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders to develop the framework. The bill mandates reports to Parliament and regular conferences to review progress, with specific timelines for publishing and tabling these reports.
- Mandates the Minister of Health to develop a national framework for women's health in consultation with the Minister of Women and Gender Equality, provincial/territorial health ministers, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders (Section 2(1))
- Requires the framework to include measures for research investment, public-private collaboration, healthcare professional training, primary care improvements, and targeted access solutions for marginalized women (Section 2(2))
- Mandates at least one conference with stakeholders to develop the framework (Section 3(3))
- Requires biennial conferences (every 3 years) for ongoing input on framework implementation (Section 3(4))
- Mandates the Minister to ensure women's health discussions are a regular agenda item in federal/provincial/territorial health minister meetings (Section 3(5))
- Requires a report on framework priorities and implementation strategy within 1 year of the Act coming into force, to be tabled in Parliament (Section 3(1))
- Requires publication of the initial report on the Department of Health website within 10 days of tabling (Section 3(2))
- Mandates a 5-year review report on framework effectiveness, research investments, and collaboration with provinces/territories (Section 4(1))
- Requires the 5-year review report to be tabled in Parliament (Section 4(2))
- Minister of Health
- Minister of Women and Gender Equality
- Provincial and territorial health ministers
- Indigenous peoples
- Healthcare professionals
- Women in rural/remote communities
- Women in equity-deserving populations
- 2SLGBTQI+ women
- Indigenous women
- Women from visible minorities
- Civil society organizations
- The bill does not specify exact timelines for implementing the framework beyond the reporting requirements
- The exact scope of 'targeted solutions' for healthcare access is not defined in the text
- The bill does not outline specific penalties for non-compliance with reporting obligations
Establishes the legal framework for developing and implementing a national strategy to improve women's health
Source: Section 1
May be affected by new reporting requirements and collaboration mandates for health ministers
Source: Sections 3(5) and 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-243's Senate first reading on December 9, 2025, formally introduced the bill to the Senate, marking the start of its legislative journey before proceeding to second reading in February 2026.
Bill S-243, titled 'An Act to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada,' underwent its Senate first reading on December 9, 2025. This procedural step formally introduced the bill to the Senate, after which it was referred to a committee for further consideration. The bill is now scheduled for second reading on February 5, 2026, in Senate Sitting 48. During the first reading, no substantive debate occurred, as this stage only involves acknowledging the bill's introduction. A sponsor's speech by Danièle Henkel (Progressive Senate Group) was delivered during the second reading on February 5, 2026, but no details of that speech are provided in the record. The bill's full content and legal effects are addressed in later stages of the legislative process.
The Senate discussed economic challenges, labour shortages, and youth unemployment, with the Minister addressing inflation concerns and outlining programs to support employment and mental health initiatives.
During the Senate sitting, several bills and policy discussions were addressed. Bill S-216, concerning the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System, was referenced alongside previous bills like S-273. The Minister of Finance responded to concerns about inflation, noting a 14% increase in grocery costs and a $1,000 rise in food prices, while emphasizing efforts to stabilize the economy. Labour issues were highlighted, including a shortage in the agri-food sector and youth unemployment at 14%, with the Minister citing programs like the Canada Summer Jobs and partnerships with provinces. A question about the Canada Labour Code and port disputes was addressed, with the Minister balancing union rights and industrial peace. The discussion also touched on mental health support for youth and the need for a round table to address employment challenges. No votes or legal outcomes were confirmed, and the text does not specify exact dates or full bill details.
The Senate completed the second reading of Bill S-243 on February 5, 2026, and referred it to a committee for further consideration on March 26, 2026, without changing the law.
This record documents the Senate's second reading of Bill S-243, which aims to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada. The procedural stage was completed on February 5, 2026, during Sitting 48. The bill was referred to a committee for further consideration on March 26, 2026. A sponsor’s speech by Danièle Henkel (Progressive Senate Group) was delivered during the second reading. This stage does not alter the law but marks the progression of the bill through the Senate’s formal process. The bill is now in committee review.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
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-243, concerning a national framework for women's health, is currently awaiting or undergoing committee study in the Senate, with no recent activity noted at this procedural stage.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-243 in the Senate. The bill is currently at the stage of "Consideration in committee." This means that after passing second reading, it has been referred to a Senate committee for detailed study. The artifact indicates there has been "No activity" recorded at this specific stage. It also provides historical information, noting the bill was referred to committee on Thursday, March 26, 2026, had its first reading on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and its second reading on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Major speeches related to the bill were made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and Thursday, March 26, 2026.
The Senate Report stage for Bill S-243 has not yet occurred, with the bill currently under committee consideration after its second reading.
The Senate Report stage for Bill S-243 has not yet been reached. The bill is currently at the consideration in committee stage. The latest procedural activity noted was the bill's referral to committee on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The bill had its first reading on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and its second reading on Thursday, February 5, 2026, where speeches were made.
Bill S-243, aiming to establish a national framework for women's health, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate, currently being under consideration in committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-243, concerning a national framework for women's health, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate. The bill is currently at the stage of consideration in committee. The latest recorded activity was its referral to a committee on Thursday, March 26, 2026. First reading occurred on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and second reading took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during Sitting 48. Speeches related to second reading were delivered on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and Thursday, March 26, 2026. A sponsor's speech by Senator Danièle Henkel was given on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Bill S-243, concerning a national framework for women's health, has been recorded as reaching its first reading in the House of Commons, though this stage has not yet occurred, and the bill is currently at the committee stage in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-243, concerning a national framework for women's health, has reached the first reading stage in the House of Commons. However, the 'Stage state' is listed as 'Not reached', meaning this procedural step has not yet occurred. The bill is currently under consideration by a committee in the Senate.
Bill S-243, an act to establish a national framework for women's health, has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons and is currently being considered by a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-243 in the House of Commons. Specifically, it indicates that the 'House of Commons Second reading' stage has not yet been reached. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate', with the latest activity being its referral to a Senate committee on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The bill had its First Reading on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and its Second Reading in the Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2026, which included a sponsor's speech.
Bill S-243 has not yet reached the committee stage in the House of Commons, with its procedural progress currently focused in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-243 within the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the 'Consideration in committee' stage in the House of Commons. The bill's most recent activity was its referral to a committee in the Senate on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The artifact also notes key dates for its first and second readings in the Senate, including a sponsor's speech.
Bill S-243 has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons and is currently being considered by a Senate committee.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-243, an Act to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is that it is under consideration in a Senate committee. The artifact details past procedural events, including its first and second readings in the Senate, and lists dates when major speeches were made during the second reading in the Senate.
Bill S-243, aiming to establish a national framework for women's health, is currently under consideration in a Senate committee and has not yet proceeded to the Third reading stage in the House of Commons.
This record indicates that Bill S-243, concerning the establishment of a national framework for women's health, has not yet reached the 'House of Commons Third reading' stage. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'. The last recorded activity was its referral to a Senate committee on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The bill had its first reading on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and its second reading on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in the Senate. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and Thursday, March 26, 2026. Senator Danièle Henkel sponsored the bill at its second reading.
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