See Canadian federal and provincial bills that passed or received Royal Assent, with plain-English summaries, timelines, votes, sponsors, and official sources.
Bill S-227 designates the month of April as Arab Heritage Month across Canada.
Bill S-228 clarifies that sterilization procedures involving permanent infertility are considered acts of wounding or maiming under the Criminal Code.
Bill S-1001 authorizes Gore Mutual Insurance Company to apply to be continued as a body corporate under Quebec's laws, repeals specific federal acts related to the company, and ends its governance under the federal Insurance Companies Act.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 5 June 2025, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship introduced Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025) and it was given first reading. Bill C-3 amends the Citizenship Act to, among other things, (a) ensure that citizenship by descent is conferred on all persons who were born outside Canada before the coming into force of this enactment to a parent who was a citizen; (b) confer citizenship by descent on persons born outside Canada after the first generation, on or after the coming into force of this enactment, to a parent who is a citizen and who had a substantial connection to Canada before the person’s birth; (c) allow citizenship to be granted under section 5.1 of that Act to all persons born outside Canada who were adopted before the coming into force of this enactment by a parent who was a citizen; (d) allow citizenship to be granted under section 5.1 of that Act to persons born outside Canada who are adopted on or after the coming into force of this enactment by a parent who is a citizen and who had a substantial connection to Canada before the person’s adoption; (e) restore citizenship to persons who lost their citizenship because they did not make an application to retain it under the former section 8 of that Act or because they made an application under that section that was not approved; and (f) allow certain persons who become citizens as a result of the coming into force of this enactment to access a simplified process to renounce their citizenship.
This bill amends the Interpretation Act to ensure all federal laws are interpreted in a way that upholds Indigenous rights and removes similar clauses from other laws.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 8 February 2024, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation (Haida Nation Recognition Act), and it was given first reading. Bill S-16 implements certain sections of the agreement entitled “Nang K_’uula • Nang K_’úulaas Recognition Agreement.”
The bill amends the Criminal Code to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence and improve firearm safety measures.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 2 June 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act and it was given first reading. Bill S-9 amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act by deleting the schedule to that Act and the references to that schedule in that Act, in order to avoid potential discrepancies between the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, as amended from time to time, and the portions of that Convention that are reproduced in that schedule.
Bill S-202 establishes the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate position to promote arts in Canada through Parliament, with selection by the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons from a committee including cultural officials.
This bill creates an annual national observance on March 11 to honor the pandemic's effects and promote reflection on pandemic preparedness.
The text establishes rules for repealing or replacing sections of the Criminal Code when they conflict with provisions from another law, based on the order in which they come into force.
This bill modifies the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act to require the Minister to evaluate environmental benefits when determining materials for federal construction and maintenance projects.
Bill S-8 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to add sanctions as a new ground for inadmissibility, modifies appeal rights, and makes related changes to other federal laws.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 9 February 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-5 An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act (Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act) and it was given first reading. Bill S-5 amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to, among other things, (a) recognize that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment as provided under that Act; (b) provide that the Government of Canada must protect that right as provided under that Act, and, in doing so, may balance that right with relevant factors; (c) require the development of an implementation framework that sets out how that right will be considered in the administration of that Act, and require that research, studies or monitoring activities be conducted to support the Government of Canada in protecting that right; (d) authorize the Minister of the Environment to add to the Domestic Substances List certain substances that were in commerce in Canada and subject to the Food and Drugs Act between January 1, 1987 and September 13, 2001, and provide that any substance may be deleted from the List when it is no longer in commerce in Canada; (e) require that the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health develop a plan that specifies the substances to which those Ministers are satisfied priority should be given in assessing whether they are toxic or capable of becoming toxic; (f) provide that any person may request that those Ministers assess a substance; (g) require the Minister of the Environment to compile a list of substances that that Minister and the Minister of Health have reason to suspect are capable of becoming toxic or that have been determined to be capable of becoming toxic; (h) require that, when those Ministers conduct or interpret the results of certain assessments — or conduct or interpret the results of a review of decisions of certain governments — in order to determine whether a substance is toxic or capable of becoming toxic, they consider available information on whether there is a vulnerable population in relation to the substance and on the cumulative effects that may result from exposure to the substance in combination with exposure to other substances; (i) provide that certain substances be classified as substances that pose the highest risk based on, among other things, their properties or characteristics; (j) require that those Ministers give priority to the total, partial or conditional prohibition of activities in relation to toxic substances that are specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, or to the total, partial or conditional prohibition of releases of those substances into the environment, when regulations or instruments respecting preventive or control actions in relation to those substances are developed; (k) expand certain regulation-making, information-gathering and pollution prevention powers under that Act, including by adding a reference to products that may release substances into the environment; (l) allow the risks associated with certain toxic substances to be managed by preventive or control actions taken under any other Act of Parliament, and the obligations under sections 91 and 92 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to be the responsibility of whoever of the Minister of the Environment or the Minister of Health is best placed to fulfil them; (m) expand the powers of the Minister of the Environment to vary either the contents of a significant new activity notice with respect to a substance not on the Domestic Substances List or the contents of the List itself with respect to a substance on the List that is subject to the significant new activities provisions of that Act; (n) extend the requirement, to notify persons of the obligation to comply with the significant new activity provisions of that Act when a substance that is subject to those provisions is transferred to them, so that it applies with respect to substances on the Domestic Substances List, and authorize that Minister to limit by class the persons who are required to be notified of the obligation when a substance that is subject to those provisions is transferred to them; and (o) require that confidentiality requests made under section 313 of the Act be accompanied by reasons, and to allow the Minister of the Environment to disclose the explicit chemical or biological name of a substance or the explicit biological name of a living organism in certain circumstances. The enactment also makes related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act to enable the assessment and management of risks to the environment associated with foods, drugs, cosmetics and devices by, among other things, (a) prohibiting persons from conducting certain activities in respect of a drug unless the Minister of Health has conducted an assessment of the risks to the environment presented by certain substances contained in that drug; (b) enabling the Minister of Health to take measures in respect of the risks to the environment that a drug may present throughout its life cycle; and (c) providing the Governor in Council with supporting regulation-making authorities. Finally, the enactment repeals the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act.
Bill S-211 establishes legal obligations for businesses and government to prevent forced labour and child labour in supply chains, bans imports linked to these practices, and includes enforcement mechanisms.
Bill S-227 establishes Food Day in Canada as the Saturday before the first Monday in August annually.
Bill S-214 designates February 21st as International Mother Language Day in Canada, recognizing linguistic diversity without establishing it as a legal holiday.
Bill S-203 requires the Minister of Health to develop a federal framework for autism support, including financial aid, research, awareness campaigns, and accountability measures, with reports to Parliament within 18 and 5 years.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 8 February 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act and to make related amendments to other Acts (COVID-19 response and other measures) and it was given first reading. Bill S-4 amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, (a) allow for the use of electronic or other automated means for the purposes of the jury selection process; (b) expand, for the accused and offenders, the availability of remote appearances by audioconference and videoconference in certain circumstances; (c) provide for the participation of prospective jurors in the jury selection process by videoconference in certain circumstances; (d) expand the power of courts to make case management rules permitting court personnel to deal with administrative matters for accused not represented by counsel; (e) permit courts to order fingerprinting at the interim release stage and at any other stage of the criminal justice process if fingerprints could not previously have been taken for exceptional reasons; and (f) replace the existing telewarrant provisions with a process that permits a wide variety of search warrants, authorizations and orders to be applied for and issued by a means of telecommunication. The enactment makes amendments to the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act to correct minor technical errors and includes transitional provisions on the application of the amendments. It also makes related amendments to other Acts.
Bill S-219 creates National Ribbon Skirt Day as an annual observance in Canada on January 4th.
Bill S-223 creates criminal offences for human organ trafficking and allows Canadian authorities to deny entry to individuals involved in such activities.
Bill S-206 modifies the Criminal Code to exempt jurors and support staff from disclosure restrictions when sharing health-related information with professionals after trial, but only for health issues connected to their jury service.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 9 June 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-10, An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act), and it was given first reading. Part 1 enacts the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act and makes related and consequential amendments to other Acts. Part 2 amends the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act to, among other things, (a) include certain elements typically provided for in self-government agreements; (b) specify elements that must be included in the shíshálh Nation’s constitution and set out an obligation to make publicly accessible amendments to the constitution as well as shíshálh laws and amendments to those laws; (c) take into account changes to the names of the Indigenous collective and of certain entities referred to in that Act to better align with the Indigenous language of the collective; (d) clarify that the council of the shíshálh Nation may make laws relating to child and family services; (e) specify the manner in which and the conditions under which lands in British Columbia may become shíshálh lands; (f) allow the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations to enter into an agreement with the Nation for the establishment of a shíshálh Lands Register; (g) ensure that entering into funding agreements no longer requires the approval of the Governor in Council; and (h) specify that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to the Council, the shíshálh Nation Government District Council and to any administrative bodies and agencies assisting in the administration of the affairs of the Nation. It also amends transitional provisions and makes consequential amendments to other Acts. Part 3 amends the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act to ensure that entering into funding agreements no longer requires the approval of the Governor in Council.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 19 November 2020, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change introduced Bill C-12 An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 (Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-12 requires that national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada be set, with the objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. The targets are to be set by the Minister of the Environment for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045. In order to promote transparency and accountability in relation to meeting those targets, the enactment also (a) requires that an emissions reduction plan, a progress report and an assessment report with respect to each target be tabled in each House of Parliament; (b) provides for public participation; (c) establishes an advisory body to provide the Minister of the Environment with advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and matters that are referred to it by the Minister; (d) requires the Minister of Finance to prepare an annual report respecting key measures that the federal public administration has taken to manage its financial risks and opportunities related to climate change; and (e) requires the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to, at least once every 5 years, examine and report on the Government of Canada’s implementation of measures aimed at mitigating climate change.
Bill C-8 amends the Citizenship Act to add a promise to respect Aboriginal and treaty rights into the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 3 December 2020, the Justice Minister introduced Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-15 provides that the Government of Canada must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and must prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the Declaration.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for self-explanatory measures. The following is a short summary: On 1 December 2020, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Offshore Health and Safety Act, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 amends the Offshore Health and Safety Act to postpone the repeal of its transitional regulations.
This Act establishes the third week of February as "Kindness Week" throughout Canada.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 29 September 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage introduced Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-5 amends certain Acts to add a new holiday, namely, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is observed on September 30.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 25 September 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-3 amends the Judges Act to restrict eligibility for judicial appointment to persons who undertake to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context. It also amends the Judges Act to require that the Canadian Judicial Council report on seminars offered for the continuing education of judges on matters related to sexual assault law. Finally, it amends the Criminal Code to require that judges provide reasons for decisions in sexual assault proceedings.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 2 December 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-14, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures (Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 amends the Income Tax Act to provide additional support to families with young children as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic progresses. It also amends the Children’s Special Allowances Act to provide a similar benefit in respect of young children under that Act. As part of the Government’s response to COVID-19, it amends the Income Tax Act to provide that an expense can qualify as a qualifying rent expense for the purposes of the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) when it becomes due rather than when it is paid, provided certain conditions are met. Part 2 amends the Canada Student Loans Act to provide that, during the period that begins on April 1, 2021 and ends on March 31, 2022, no interest is payable by a borrower on a guaranteed student loan and no amount on account of interest is required to be paid by the borrower. Part 3 amends the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act to provide that, during the period that begins on April 1, 2021 and ends on March 31, 2022, no interest is payable by a borrower on a student loan and no amount on account of interest is required to be paid by the borrower. Part 4 amends the Apprentice Loans Act to provide that, during the period that begins on April 1, 2021 and ends on March 31, 2022, no interest is payable by a borrower on an apprentice loan and no amount on account of interest is required to be paid by a borrower. Part 5 amends the Food and Drugs Act to authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations (a) requiring persons to provide information to the Minister of Health; and (b) preventing shortages of therapeutic products in Canada or alleviating those shortages or their effects, in order to protect human health. It also amends that Act to provide that any prescribed provisions of regulations made under that Act apply to food, drugs, cosmetics and devices intended for export that would otherwise be exempt from the application of that Act. Part 6 authorizes payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (a) to the Government of Canada’s regional development agencies for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund; (b) in respect of specified initiatives related to health; and (c) for the purpose of making income support payments under section 4 of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act. Part 7 amends the Borrowing Authority Act to, among other things, increase the maximum amount of certain borrowings and include certain borrowings that were previously excluded in the calculation of that amount. It also makes a related amendment to the Financial Administration Act.
Bill S-1001 replaces three outdated incorporation acts from the early 1900s with a modern law that continues Girl Guides of Canada as a corporation and updates its governance and operations framework.
Bill C-7 amends the Criminal Code to change eligibility and safeguards for medical assistance in dying, excluding those whose sole condition is mental illness and introducing new procedures for individuals losing capacity to consent.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for appropriation bills, ways and means bills and borrowing-authority bills. The following is a short summary: On 7 December 2020, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-16, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-16 (Appropriation Act No. 4, 2020-21) received Royal Assent on 10 December 2020 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2021. The Act provides for the sum of $26,138,756,442 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for appropriation bills, ways and means bills and borrowing-authority bills. The following is a short summary: On 7 December 2020, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-17, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-17 (Appropriation Act No. 5, 2020-21) received Royal Assent on 10 December 2020 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2021. The Act provides for the sum of $20,874,356,291 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 2 November 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-9 amends the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria, as well as the level of subsidization, under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) as part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019. It also extends the CEWS to June 30, 2021. The enactment further amends the Income Tax Act to introduce the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) in order to support those hardest hit by the coronavirus disease 2019. This subsidy provides relief in respect of rent and interest on debt obligations incurred to acquire real property used by businesses, charities and not-for-profit organizations in the course of their businesses or other activities. The rent subsidy is effective as of September 27, 2020.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 28 September 2020, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion introduced Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19 (COVID-19 Response Measures Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 enacts the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to authorize the payment of the Canada recovery benefit, the Canada recovery sickness benefit and the Canada recovery caregiving benefit to support Canada’s economic recovery in response to COVID-19. It also makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations. Part 2 amends the Canada Labour Code to, among other things, (a) amend the reasons for which an employee is entitled to take leave related to COVID-19, and the number of weeks of that leave that an employee may take for each of those reasons; and (b) give the Governor in Council the power, until September 25, 2021, to make regulations in certain circumstances to provide that any requirements or conditions, set out in certain provisions of Part III of that Act, respecting certificates issued by a health care practitioner do not apply and to provide for alternative requirements and conditions. This Part also makes related amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act to ensure that employees may continue to take leave related to COVID-19 until September 25, 2021. Finally, it makes related amendments to regulations and contains coordinating amendments. Part 3 amends the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act to limit, as of October 1, 2020, the payments that may be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund under that Act to those in respect of specified measures related to COVID-19, up to specified amounts. It also postpones the repeal of that Act until December 31, 2020.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 20 July 2020, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 amends the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) in order to support those employers hardest hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It also extends the CEWS to November 21, 2020, with the ability to extend the CEWS by regulation to no later than December 31, 2020, and provides a revised calculation of the CEWS for the fifth and subsequent qualifying periods. Finally, it makes amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations to ensure that the CEWS operates effectively. Part 2 amends the Pension Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Children’s Special Allowances Act and the Veterans Well-being Act to authorize the disclosure of information for the purpose of the administration of a program to provide a one-time payment to persons with disabilities for reasons related to COVID-19. It also amends the Income Tax Act to authorize the use by officials, or disclosure to Government of Canada officials, of taxpayer information solely for the purpose of that one-time payment. Finally, it provides that any amount payable in relation to the administration of the program to provide that one-time payment is to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Part 3 enacts the Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) which addresses the need for flexibility in relation to certain time limits and other periods that are established by or under Acts of Parliament and that are difficult or impossible to meet as a result of the exceptional circumstances produced by COVID-19. In particular, the enactment (a) suspends, for a maximum of six months, certain time limits in relation to proceedings before courts; (b) temporarily enables ministers to suspend or extend time limits and to extend other periods in relation to specified Acts and regulations for a maximum of six months; and (c) provides for the transparent exercise of the powers it confers and for Parliamentary oversight over the exercise of those powers.
Bill C-18 grants the federal government authority to spend $55,143,895,167 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 across multiple federal departments and agencies.
An Act to grant $6,038,435,084 for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.
Bill C-16 increases the maximum outstanding debt limit for the Canadian Dairy Commission from a previous amount to $500 million.
Bill C-15 authorizes the payment of Canada emergency student benefits to eligible students who lost work and income opportunities due to the coronavirus disease 2019.
This Act introduces a temporary COVID-19 wage subsidy program for businesses and amends financial administration powers related to financial system stability.
This act introduced various measures to address the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19, including income tax adjustments, emergency benefits, increased financial authority for government entities, and modified employment and loan regulations.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 29 January 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs introduced Bill C-4, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement Implementation Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-4 enactment implements the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States, done at Buenos Aires on 30 November 2018, as amended by the Protocol of Amendment to that Agreement, done at Mexico City on 10 December 2019. The general provisions of the enactment set out rules of interpretation and specify that no recourse is to be taken on the basis of sections 9 to 20 or any order made under those sections, or on the basis of the provisions of the Agreement, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada. Part 1 approves the Agreement, provides for the payment by Canada of its share of the expenditures associated with the operation of the institutional and administrative aspects of the Agreement and gives the Governor in Council the power to make orders in accordance with the Agreement. Part 2 amends certain Acts to bring them into conformity with Canada’s obligations under the Agreement. Part 3 contains the coming into force provisions.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for appropriation bills, ways and means bills and borrowing-authority bills. The following is a short summary: On 13 March 2020, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-10, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2020, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-10 (Appropriation Act No. 4, 2019-20) received Royal Assent on 13 March 2020 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2020. The Act provides for the sum of $3,793,291,722 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for appropriation bills, ways and means bills and borrowing-authority bills. The following is a short summary: On 13 March 2020, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-11, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-11 (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2020-21) received Royal Assent on 13 March 2020 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2021. The Act provides for the sum of $43,908,982,917 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
Bill C-12 temporarily allowed special warrants to be issued when Parliament was in session but not sitting, with these changes expiring on June 24, 2020.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for appropriation bills, ways and means bills and borrowing-authority bills. The following is a short summary: On 10 December 2019, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-2, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2020, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-2 (Appropriation Act No. 3, 2019-20) received Royal Assent on 12 December 2019 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2020. The Act provides for the sum of $4,855,257,827 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
Bill S-203 prohibits keeping whales, dolphins, and porpoises in captivity in Canada, creates criminal offences for doing so, and restricts their import and export, with exceptions for injured animals and those already in captivity.
Bill S-6 implements a tax treaty between Canada and Madagascar to prevent the same income from being taxed twice and to prevent tax evasion.
Bill S-210 repeals the short title of a 2015 federal law that amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act, and the Criminal Code.
Bill S-218 designates the month of October as Latin American Heritage Month in Canada.
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament. On 22 November 2016, the Hon. Peter Harder introduced Bill S-5, An An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Part 1 of this enactment amends the Tobacco Act. In order to respond to the report of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health entitled Vaping: Toward a Regulatory Framework for E-Cigarettes, it amends the Act to regulate the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of vaping products and changes the title of the Act accordingly. It also amends certain provisions of the Act relating to tobacco products, including with respect to product standards, disclosure of product information, product sale, sending and delivery and product promotion. As well, it adds new provisions to the Act, including in respect of inspection and seizure. Part 1 also makes consequential amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Part 2 of this enactment amends the Non-smokers’ Health Act to regulate the use of vaping products in the federal workplace and on certain modes of transportation.
The Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Act designates the month of May each year as Canadian Jewish Heritage Month.
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament. On 11 May 2016, Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act (Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act) was introduced in the Senate and given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Motor Vehicle Safety Act for the purpose of strengthening the enforcement and compliance regime to further protect the safety of Canadians and to provide additional flexibility to support advanced safety technologies and other vehicle innovations. It provides the Minister of Transport with the authority to order companies to correct a defect or non-compliance and establishes a tiered penalty structure for offences committed under the Act. The enactment also makes a consequential amendment to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Act.
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament. On 25 October 2016, the Hon. Peter Harder introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Indian Act (elimination of sex-based inequities in registration), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 amends the Indian Act to provide new entitlements to registration in the Indian Register in response to the decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général) that was rendered by the Superior Court of Quebec on August 3, 2015, and to provide that the persons who become so entitled also have the right to have their name entered in a Band List maintained by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Bill S-211 establishes June 19th of each year as National Sickle Cell Awareness Day in Canada.
This Act formally recognizes Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as the birthplace of Confederation.
Bill S-226 creates a new law that allows Canada to impose sanctions on foreign individuals responsible for serious human rights violations or corruption, and amends related laws to make those sanctioned individuals inadmissible to Canada.
This bill protects journalists from being forced to reveal their sources and restricts police search warrants targeting journalists, requiring judges to balance public interest in criminal investigations against press freedom.
Bill S-233 amends the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to modernize presentation and reporting requirements for conveyances, providing specific exemptions for transiting or temporarily departing and re-entering travellers and goods, while allowing officers to override these exemptions and adding new regulation-making powers.
Bill S-208 designates May 20 as National Seal Products Day in Canada.
This Act prohibits discrimination based on genetic testing and results in most circumstances, while also amending related federal labour and human rights laws.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 1 November 2016, the Hon. Peter Harder introduced Bill S-4, An Act to implement a Convention and an Arrangement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and to amend an Act in respect of a similar Agreement (Tax Convention and Arrangement Implementation Act, 2016), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-4 implements a convention between the Government of Canada and the Government of the State of Israel for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and an arrangement between the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. It also amends the Canada–Hong Kong Tax Agreement Act, 2013 to add to it, for greater certainty, an interpretation provision. The convention and arrangement are generally patterned on the Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The convention and arrangement have two main objectives: the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion. Once implemented, they will provide relief from taxation rules in, or related to, the Income Tax Act. Their implementation requires the enactment of this Act.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 22 October 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Statutory Instruments Act and to make consequential amendments to the Statutory Instruments Regulations (Incorporation by Reference in Regulations Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Statutory Instruments Act to provide for the express power to incorporate by reference in regulations. It imposes an obligation on regulation-making authorities to ensure that a document, index, rate or number that is incorporated by reference is accessible. It also provides that a person is not liable to be found guilty of an offence or subjected to an administrative sanction for a contravention relating to a document, index, rate or number that is incorporated by reference unless certain requirements in relation to accessibility are met. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to the Statutory Instruments Regulations.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 23 October 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act (Port State Measures Agreement Implementation Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to implement the Port State Measures Agreement, to prohibit the importation of fish caught and marine plants harvested in the course of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to clarify certain powers in respect of the administration and enforcement of the Act.
A Legislative Summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 8 April 2014, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act (Digital Privacy Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-4 amends the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act to, among other things (a) specify the elements of valid consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information; (b) permit the disclosure of personal information without the knowledge or consent of an individual for the purposes of (i) identifying an injured, ill or deceased individual and communicating with their next of kin, (ii) preventing, detecting or suppressing fraud, or (iii) protecting victims of financial abuse; (c) permit organizations, for certain purposes, to collect, use and disclose, without the knowledge or consent of an individual, personal information (i) contained in witness statements related to insurance claims, or (ii) produced by the individual in the course of their employment, business or profession; (d) permit organizations, for certain purposes, to use and disclose, without the knowledge or consent of an individual, personal information related to prospective or completed business transactions; (e) permit federal works, undertakings and businesses to collect, use and disclose personal information, without the knowledge or consent of an individual, to establish, manage or terminate their employment relationships with the individual; (f) require organizations to notify certain individuals and organizations of certain breaches of security safeguards that create a real risk of significant harm and to report them to the Privacy Commissioner; (g) require organizations to keep and maintain a record of every breach of security safeguards involving personal information under their control; (h) create offences in relation to the contravention of certain obligations respecting breaches of security safeguards; (i) extend the period within which a complainant may apply to the Federal Court for a hearing on matters related to their complaint; (j) provide that the Privacy Commissioner may, in certain circumstances, enter into a compliance agreement with an organization to ensure compliance with Part 1 of the Act; and (k) modify the information that the Privacy Commissioner may make public if he or she considers that it is in the public interest to do so.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 3 June 2014, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act and the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act (Yukon and Nunavut Regulatory Improvement Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Part 1 of Bill S-6 amends the amends the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act to provide that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 does not apply in Yukon, to allow for the coordination of reviews of transboundary projects, to establish time limits for environmental assessments and to establish a cost recovery regime. It also amends that Act to provide for binding ministerial policy directions to the Board and the delegation of any of the Minister’s powers, duties and functions to the territorial minister, and allows for a member of the board who is participating in a screening or review to continue to act for that purpose after the expiry of their term or their removal due to a loss of residency in Yukon, until decision documents are issued. In addition, it amends that Act to clarify that a new assessment of a project is not required when an authorization is renewed or amended unless there has been any significant change to the original project. Part 2 amends the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act to modify the maximum term of certain licences, to establish time limits with respect to the making of certain decisions, to allow for the making of arrangements relating to security, to establish a cost recovery regime, to modify the offence and penalty regime and to create an administrative monetary penalty scheme.
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament. On 5 November 2014, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Part 1 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to specify that a permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of practising polygamy in Canada. Part 2 amends the Civil Marriage Act to provide for the legal requirements for a free and enlightened consent to marriage and for any previous marriage to be dissolved or declared null before a new marriage is contracted. Those requirements are currently provided for in the Federal Law—Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 1 only in respect of Quebec and under the common law in the other provinces. It also amends the Civil Marriage Act to provide for the requirement of a minimum age of 16 years for marriage. This requirement is currently provided for in the Federal Law—Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 1 only in respect of Quebec. Part 3 amends the Criminal Code to (a) clarify that it is an offence for an officiant to knowingly solemnize a marriage in contravention of federal law; (b) provide that it is an offence to celebrate, aid or participate in a marriage rite or ceremony knowing that one of the persons being married is doing so against their will or is under the age of 16 years; (c) provide that it is an offence to remove a child from Canada with the intention that an act be committed outside Canada that, if it were committed in Canada, would constitute the offence of celebrating, aiding or participating in a marriage rite or ceremony knowing that the child is doing so against their will or is under the age of 16 years; (d) provide that a judge may order a person to enter into a recognizance with conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the purpose of preventing the person from committing an offence relating to the marriage of a person against their will or the marriage of a person under the age of 16 years or relating to the removal of a child from Canada with the intention of committing an act that, if it were committed in Canada, would be such an offence; and (e) provide that the defence of provocation is restricted to circumstances in which the victim engaged in conduct that would constitute an indictable offence under the Criminal Code that is punishable by five years or more in prison. Finally, the enactment also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 17 October 2013, the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Respect for Communities Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Currently, under s.56 of the CDSA, the Minister has the authority to grant an exemption to undertake activities using controlled substances for a medical or scientific purpose, or in the public interest. Approximately 10,000 s.56 exemption applications are received every year, most of which are for routine activities using controlled substances from licit sources, including clinical trials, methadone treatment and university research. Bill C-2 amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to, among other things, • create a separate exemption regime for activities involving the use of a controlled substance or precursor that is obtained in a manner not authorized under this Act; • specify the purposes for which an exemption may be granted for those activities; and • set out the information that must be submitted to the Minister of Health before the Minister may consider an application for an exemption in relation to a supervised consumption site.
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament. On 8 November 2013, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness introduced Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Drug-Free Prisons Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-12 amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to require the Parole Board of Canada (or a provincial parole board, if applicable) to cancel parole granted to an offender if, before the offender’s release, the offender tests positive in a urinalysis, or fails or refuses to provide a urine sample, and the Board considers that the criteria for granting parole are no longer met. It also amends that Act to clarify that any conditions set by a releasing authority on an offender’s parole, statutory release or unescorted temporary absence may include conditions regarding the offender’s use of drugs or alcohol, including in cases when that use has been identified as a risk factor in the offender’s criminal behaviour.
Bill S-219 establishes April 30th as 'Journey to Freedom Day' to commemorate the exodus of Vietnamese refugees and their resettlement in Canada.
Bill S-218 designates the third Saturday in May of each year as National Fiddling Day in Canada.
This bill amends the Criminal Code to ensure that assaulting a public transit operator while they are working is treated as an aggravating circumstance during sentencing.
A Legislative Summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 9 December 2013, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food introduced Bill C-18 An Act to amend certain Acts relating to agriculture and agri-food (Agricultural Growth Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-18 amends amends several Acts in order to implement various measures relating to agriculture. It amends the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act to amend certain aspects of the plant breeders’ rights granted under that Act, including the duration and scope of those rights and conditions for the protection of those rights. It also provides for exceptions to the application of those rights. It amends the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Health of Animals Act and the Plant Protection Act to, among other things, • authorize inspectors to order that certain unlawful imports be removed from Canada or destroyed; • authorize the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to take into account information available from a review conducted by the government of a foreign state when he or she considers certain applications; • authorize the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to issue certificates setting out any information that he or she considers necessary to facilitate certain exports; and • require that a registration or a licence be obtained for conducting certain activities in respect of certain feeds, fertilizers or supplements that have been imported for sale or that are to be exported or to be sent or conveyed from one province to another. • It also amends the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act to, among other things, increase the maximum limits of penalties that may be imposed for certain violations. It amends the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act to modernize the requirements of the advance payments program, improve its accessibility and enhance its administration and delivery. Finally, it amends the Farm Debt Mediation Act to clarify the farm debt mediation process and to facilitate the participation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in the mediation process when that Minister is a guarantor of a farmer’s debt.
A Legislative Summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 14 May 2014, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada) (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-5 amends the Canada National Parks Act to establish Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. This new national park reserve protects 71 percent of the upper South Nahanni watershed within the Sahtu Settlement Area. Together, the Nahanni and Nááts'ihch'oh national park reserves protect about 86 percent of the entire South Nahanni watershed. Within the national park reserves, habitat for mountain woodland caribou, grizzly bears, Dall's sheep, mountain goats and Trumpeter swans will be preserved. Measuring 4,895 square kilometres, Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve adjoins Nahanni National Park Reserve (which was significantly expanded in 2009) and it touches the Yukon boundary to the West.
Bill S-211 establishes the first Saturday in June as National Health and Fitness Day in Canada.
This Act designates January 21st as Lincoln Alexander Day across Canada to recognize his contributions.
Bill S-1001 amends the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Act to exempt the Synod from certain provisions of the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act regarding meetings.