See Canadian federal and provincial bills that passed or received Royal Assent, with plain-English summaries, timelines, votes, sponsors, and official sources.
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 Finance and National Revenue introduced Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure (Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act) and it was given first reading. Part 1 amends the Income Tax Act to reduce the marginal personal income tax rate on the lowest tax bracket to 14.5% for the 2025 taxation year and to 14% for the 2026 and subsequent taxation years. Part 2 amends the Excise Tax Act and other related Regulations to implement a temporary GST new housing rebate for first-time home buyers. Part 3 repeals Part 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and the Fuel Charge Regulations. Part 4 amends the Canada Elections Act to make changes to the requirements relating to political parties’ policies for the protection of personal information.
Updated Mar 12, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: François-Philippe Champagne
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.
Updated Nov 20, 202545th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Lena Metlege Diab
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 6 June 2025, the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy introduced Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act One Canadian Economy Act) and it was given first reading. Part 1 enacts the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, which establishes a statutory framework to remove federal barriers to the interprovincial trade of goods and services and to improve labour mobility within Canada. In the case of goods and services, that Act provides that a good or service that meets provincial or territorial requirements is considered to meet comparable federal requirements that pertain to the interprovincial movement of the good or provision of the service. In the case of workers, it provides for the recognition of provincial and territorial authorizations to practise occupations and for the issuance of comparable federal authorizations to holders of such provincial and territorial authorizations. It also provides the Governor in Council with the power to make regulations respecting federal barriers to the interprovincial movement of goods and provision of services and to the movement of labour within Canada. Part 2 enacts the Building Canada Act, which, among other things, (a) authorizes the Governor in Council to add the name of a project and a brief description of it to a schedule to that Act if the Governor in Council is of the opinion, having regard to certain factors, that the project is in the national interest; (b) provides that determinations and findings that have to be made and opinions that have to be formed under certain Acts of Parliament and regulations for an authorization to be granted in respect of a project that is named in Schedule 1 to that Act are deemed to have been made or formed, as the case may be, in favour of permitting the project to be carried out in whole or in part; (c) requires the minister who is designated under that Act to issue to the proponent of a project, if certain conditions are met, a document that sets out conditions that apply in respect of the project and that is deemed to be the authorizations, required under certain Acts of Parliament and regulations, that are specified in the document; and (d) requires that minister, each year, to cause an independent review to be conducted of the status of each national interest project.
Updated Jun 26, 202545th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Dominic LeBlanc
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 17 June 2025, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-6, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-6 (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2025-26) received Royal Assent on 26 June 2025 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2026. The Act provides for the sum of $149,771,149,015 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
Updated Jun 26, 202545th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Shafqat Ali
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.”
Updated Nov 7, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Jun 20, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Jun 13, 202344th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Dec 15, 202244th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Jun 23, 202244th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Jun 29, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Jonathan Wilkinson
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.
Updated Jun 21, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: David Lametti
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.
Updated Jun 3, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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.
Updated Jun 3, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Steven Guilbeault
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.
Updated May 6, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: David Lametti
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.
Updated May 6, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Chrystia Freeland
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.
Updated Dec 10, 202043rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Jean-Yves Duclos
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.
Updated Dec 10, 202043rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Jean-Yves Duclos
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.
Updated Nov 19, 202043rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Chrystia Freeland
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.
Updated Oct 2, 202043rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Carla Qualtrough
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.
Updated Jul 27, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Bill Morneau
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.
Updated Mar 13, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Chrystia Freeland
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.
Updated Mar 13, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Jean-Yves Duclos
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.
Updated Mar 13, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Jean-Yves Duclos
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.
Updated Dec 12, 201943rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Jean-Yves Duclos
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.
Updated May 23, 201842nd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Harder
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.
Updated Mar 1, 201842nd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Harder
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.
Updated Dec 12, 201742nd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Harder
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.
Updated Dec 15, 201642nd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Harder
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Rona Ambrose
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.
Updated Jun 18, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Steven Blaney
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.
Updated Feb 25, 201541st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Gerry Ritz
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.
Updated Dec 16, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Claude Carignan
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 18 October 2013, the Minister of Transport introduced Bill C-3, An Act to enact the Aviation Industry Indemnity Act, to amend the Aeronautics Act, the Canada Marine Act, the Marine Liability Act and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Safeguarding Canada’s Seas and Skies Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 of Bill C-3 enacts the Aviation Industry Indemnity Act, which authorizes the Minister of Transport to undertake to indemnify certain aviation industry participants for loss, damage or liability caused by events that are commonly referred to in the insurance industry as “war risks”. The Minister may undertake to indemnify all aviation industry participants, or may specify that an undertaking applies only to specific participants or classes of participant or applies only in specific circumstances. The Act also requires that the Minister, at least once every two years, assess whether it is feasible for aviation industry participants to obtain insurance coverage for events or other similar coverage, and that the Minister report regularly to Parliament on his or her activities under the Act. Part 1 also makes consequential amendments to other Acts. Part 2 amends the Aeronautics Act to provide certain persons with powers to investigate aviation accidents or incidents involving civilians and aircraft or aeronautical installations operated by or on behalf of the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces or a visiting force. It also establishes privilege in respect of on-board recordings, communication records and certain statements, and permits, among other things, access to an on-board recording if certain criteria are met. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to other Acts. Part 3 amends the Canada Marine Act in relation to the effective day of the appointment of a director of a port authority. Part 4 amends the Marine Liability Act to implement the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010. Among other things, it gives force of law to many provisions of the Convention, clarifies the liability of the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund with respect to the Convention and confers powers, duties and functions on the Fund’s Administrator. Part 5 amends the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to introduce new requirements for operators of oil handling facilities, including the requirement to notify the Minister of their operations and to submit plans to the Minister. It extends civil and criminal immunity to the agents or mandataries of response organizations engaged in response operations. It also introduces new enforcement measures for Part 8 of the Act, including by applying the administrative monetary penalties regime contained in Part 11 of that Act to Part 8.
Updated Dec 9, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Lisa Raitt
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 28 October 2013, the Minister of Industry introduced Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Copyright Act and the Trade-marks Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Combating Counterfeit Products Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Counterfeit trademark goods, commonly described as “knock-offs,” closely resemble the legitimate product and bear an imitation or non-genuine trademark. The retail value of counterfeit goods seized by the RCMP increased from $7.6 million in 2005 to $38 million in 2012. Bill C-8 amends the Copyright Act and the Trade-marks Act to add new civil and criminal remedies and new border measures in both Acts, in order to strengthen the enforcement of copyright and trade-mark rights and to curtail commercial activity involving infringing copies and counterfeit trade-marked goods. More specifically, it • creates new civil causes of action with respect to activities that sustain commercial activity in infringing copies and counterfeit trade-marked goods; • creates new criminal offences for trade-mark counterfeiting that are analogous to existing offences in the Copyright Act; • creates new criminal offences prohibiting the possession or export of infringing copies or counterfeit trade-marked goods, packaging or labels; • enacts new border enforcement measures enabling customs officers to detain goods that they suspect infringe copyright or trade-mark rights and allowing them to share information relating to the detained goods with rights owners who have filed a request for assistance, in order to give the rights owners a reasonable opportunity to pursue a remedy in court; • exempts the importation and exportation of copies and goods by an individual for their personal use from the application of the border measures; and • adds the offences set out in the Copyright Act and the Trade-marks Act to the list of offences set out in the Criminal Code for the investigation of which police may seek judicial authorization to use a wiretap. The enactment also amends the Trade-marks Act to, among other things, expand the scope of what can be registered as a trade-mark, allow the Registrar of Trade-marks to correct errors that appear in the trade-mark register, and streamline and modernize the trade-mark application and opposition process.
Updated Dec 9, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: James Moore
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 November 2013, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act, the Competition Act and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Canadians from Online Crime Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bullying, including cyberbullying, is a form of aggression, usually among children and youth but not always. When the bullying behaviour occurs via electronic means, it is often referred to as cyberbullying. More recently, a new form of cyberbullying has emerged that is not covered by the criminal law. It involves the distribution of intimate (sexual) images without the consent of the person depicted in the image. Bill C-13 amends the Criminal Code to provide for, among other things: • a new offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images as well as complementary amendments to authorize the removal of such images from the Internet and the recovery of expenses incurred to obtain the removal of such images, the forfeiture of property used in the commission of the offence, a recognizance order to be issued to prevent the distribution of such images and the restriction of the use of a computer or the Internet by a convicted offender; • the power to make preservation demands and orders to compel the preservation of electronic evidence; • new production orders to compel the production of data relating to the transmission of communications and the location of transactions, individuals or things; • a warrant that will extend the current investigative power for data associated with telephones to transmission data relating to all means of telecommunications; • warrants that will enable the tracking of transactions, individuals and things and that are subject to legal thresholds appropriate to the interests at stake; and • a streamlined process of obtaining warrants and orders related to an authorization to intercept private communications by ensuring that those warrants and orders can be issued by a judge who issues the authorization and by specifying that all documents relating to a request for a related warrant or order are automatically subject to the same rules respecting confidentiality as the request for authorization. • The enactment amends the Canada Evidence Act to ensure that the spouse is a competent and compellable witness for the prosecution with respect to the new offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images. It also amends the Competition Act to make applicable, for the purpose of enforcing certain provisions of that Act, the new provisions being added to the Criminal Code respecting demands and orders for the preservation of computer data and orders for the production of documents relating to the transmission of communications or financial data. It also modernizes the provisions of the Act relating to electronic evidence and provides for more effective enforcement in a technologically advanced environment. Lastly, it amends the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to make some of the new investigative powers being added to the Criminal Code available to Canadian authorities executing incoming requests for assistance and to allow the Commissioner of Competition to execute search warrants under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.
Updated Dec 9, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Peter Gordon MacKay
On 25 October 2013, the Minister of Foreign Affairs introduced Bill C-6, An Act to implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-6 implements Canada’s commitments under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. In particular, it establishes prohibitions and offences for certain activities involving cluster munitions, explosive submunitions and explosive bomblets.
Updated Nov 6, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: John Baird
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 5 October 2013, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco) (Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-10 amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence of trafficking in contraband tobacco and to provide for minimum penalties of imprisonment for repeat offenders. Trafficking would involve any of the following actions: • sale; • offer for sale; • possession for the purpose of sale; • transportation; • distribution; or • delivery. Under Bill C-10, the maximum penalty for a first offence would be 6 months imprisonment on summary conviction and 5 years imprisonment if prosecuted on indictment. It also proposes mandatory minimum penalties of imprisonment for repeat offenders where a high volume of tobacco products is involved. The threshold to be considered “high volume” would be 10,000 cigarettes or 10 kilograms of other tobacco products. The mandatory minimum penalties on indictment would be as follows: • 90 days incarceration on a second conviction; • 180 days incarceration on third conviction; and • 2 years less a day on subsequent convictions.
Updated Nov 6, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Peter Gordon MacKay
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 6 December 2013, the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa’s Law)) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-17 amends the Food and Drugs Act regarding therapeutic products in order to improve safety by introducing measures to, among other things, • strengthen safety oversight of therapeutic products throughout their life cycle; and • improve reporting by certain health care institutions of serious adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents that involve therapeutic products.
Updated Nov 6, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Rona Ambrose
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 24 October 2013, the Minister of Natural Resources introduced Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and other Acts and to provide for certain other measures (Offshore Health and Safety Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. This enactment amends the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act (the “Accord Acts”) in order to increase the level of safety and transparency of offshore petroleum activities. The main purpose of the amendments is to establish a new occupational health and safety regime in the offshore areas. In addition, it amends the Accord Acts to, most notably, • ensure that occupational health and safety officers, special officers, conservation officers and operational safety officers have the same powers for the administration and enforcement of the Accord Acts; • clarify that the new occupational health and safety regime applies to the transportation of persons who are in transit to, from or between workplaces in the offshore areas; • require that any occupational health and safety regulations that apply to the transportation of persons who are in transit to, from or between workplaces in the offshore areas be made on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport; and • authorize each of the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to publicly disclose information related to occupational health and safety if it considers it to be in the public interest. It amends the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act to enable health and safety officers to get privileged information and to enable employers subject to the Accord Acts to apply to the Chief Screening Officer for exemptions from disclosure requirements in the same manner as employers under the Canada Labour Code. It also amends the Access to Information Act to prohibit the disclosure of certain information. It amends the Canada Labour Code to closely follow the Accord Acts with respect to the time frame for the institution of proceedings, and with respect to prohibitions on the sharing of information and on testimony. It also amends certain Acts and regulations to make terminological changes that are required as a result of certain amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act.
Updated Jun 19, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Greg Rickford
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 October 2013, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development introduced Bill C-9, An Act respecting the election and term of office of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations and the composition of council of those First Nations (First Nations Elections Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. In October 2010, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the leaders of these organizations launched a national engagement exercise on electoral reform. These organizations met with other First Nation leaders across the country between October 2010 and March 2011 to present their recommendations and seek advice on improving the election process for First Nations. Bill C-9 establishes a regime, alternative to the one under the Indian Act, to govern the election of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations. Among other things it • provides that chiefs and councillors hold office for four years; • provides that the election of a chief or councillor may be contested before a competent court; and • sets out offences and penalties in relation to the election of a chief or councillor. This enactment also allows First Nations to withdraw from the regime by adopting a written code that sets out the rules regarding the election of the members of their council.
Updated Apr 10, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Bernard Valcourt
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 26 November 2013, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the National Defence Act (mental disorder) (Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The Criminal Code mental disorder regime applies to a very small percentage of accused persons. A person found unfit to stand trial is referred to a provincial or territorial Review Board, which decides on a course of action. Under the current law, a Review Board can make one of three possible decisions: • If the person does not pose a significant threat to public safety, an absolute discharge (only available for a person found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder); • A conditional discharge; or, • Detention in custody in a hospital. Bill C-14 amends the mental disorder regime in the Criminal Code and the National Defence Act to specify that the paramount consideration in the decision-making process is the safety of the public and to create a scheme for finding that certain persons who have been found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder are high-risk accused. It also enhances the involvement of victims in the regime and makes procedural and technical amendments.
Updated Apr 10, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Peter Gordon MacKay
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 3 December 2013, the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs introduced Bill C-15, An Act to replace the Northwest Territories Act to implement certain provisions of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement and to repeal or make amendments to the Territorial Lands Act, the Northwest Territories Waters Act, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, other Acts and certain orders and regulations (Northwest Territories Devolution Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Currently, the government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) makes decisions on behalf of its residents similar to a provincial government, with the exception of the administration and management of public lands, water resources, mineral resources, and oil and gas management. The NWT Devolution Agreement transfers these responsibilities from the government of Canada to the GNWT. Part 1 of Bill C-15 enacts the Northwest Territories Act and implements certain provisions of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. It also amends and repeals other Acts and certain orders and regulations. Part 2 amends the Territorial Lands Act to modify the offence and penalty regime and create an administrative monetary penalty scheme. It also adds inspection powers. Part 3 amends the Northwest Territories Waters Act to make changes to the jurisdiction and structure of the Inuvialuit Water Board, to add a regulation-making authority for cost recovery, to establish time limits with respect to the making of certain decisions, to modify the offence and penalty regime, to create an administrative monetary penalty scheme and to make other changes. Part 4 amends the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act to consolidate the structure of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, to establish time limits for environmental assessments and reviews and to expand ministerial policy direction to land use planning boards and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. This Part also amends the administration and enforcement provisions of Part 3 of that Act and establishes an administration and enforcement scheme in Part 5 of that Act, including the introduction of enforceable development certificates. Moreover, it adds an administrative monetary penalty scheme to the Act. Lastly, this Part provides for the establishment of regional studies and regulation-making authorities for, among other things, consultation with aboriginal peoples and for cost recovery and incorporates into that Act the water licensing scheme from the Northwest Territories Waters Act as part of the implementation of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.
Updated Mar 25, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Bernard Valcourt
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 5 December 2013, the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs introduced Bill C-16, An Act to give effect to the Governance Agreement with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Governance Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba have concluded a self-government agreement. As the next steps, federal and then provincial legislation is needed to bring the agreements into effect. Bill C-16 gives effect to the Governance Agreement with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. It also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.
Updated Mar 4, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Bernard Valcourt
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 22 October 2013, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures (Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 2), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 implements certain income tax measures proposed in the March 21, 2013 budget. Among other things, it • increases the lifetime capital gains exemption to $800,000 and indexes the new limit to inflation; • streamlines the process for pension plan administrators to refund a contribution made to a Registered Pension Plan as a result of a reasonable error; • extends the reassessment period for reportable tax avoidance transactions and tax shelters when information returns are not filed properly and on time; • phases out the federal Labour-Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations tax credit; • ensures that derivative transactions cannot be used to convert fully taxable ordinary income into capital gains taxed at a lower rate; • ensures that the tax consequences of disposing of a property cannot be avoided by entering into transactions that are economically equivalent to a disposition of the property; • ensures that the tax attributes of trusts cannot be inappropriately transferred among arm’s length persons; • responds to the Sommerer decision to restore the intended tax treatment with respect to non-resident trusts; • expands eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation equipment to include a broader range of biogas production equipment and equipment used to treat gases from waste; • imposes a penalty in instances where information on tax preparers and billing arrangements is missing, incomplete or inaccurate on Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive program claim forms; • phases out the accelerated capital cost allowance for capital assets used in new mines and certain mine expansions, and reduces the deduction rate for pre-production mine development expenses; • adjusts the five-year phase-out of the additional deduction for credit unions; • eliminates unintended tax benefits in respect of two types of leveraged life insurance arrangements; • clarifies the restricted farm loss rules and increases the restricted farm loss deduction limit; • enhances corporate anti-loss trading rules to address planning that avoids those rules; • extends, in certain circumstances, the reassessment period for taxpayers who have failed to correctly report income from a specified foreign property on their annual income tax return; • extends the application of Canada’s thin capitalization rules to Canadian resident trusts and non-resident entities; and • introduces new administrative monetary penalties and criminal offences to deter the use, possession, sale and development of electronic suppression of sales software that is designed to falsify records for the purpose of tax evasion. Part 1 also implements other selected income tax measures. Most notably, it (a) implements measures announced on July 25, 2012, including measures that • relate to the taxation of specified investment flow-through entities, real estate investment trusts and publicly-traded corporations, and • respond to the Lewin decision; (b) implements measures announced on December 21, 2012, including measures that relate to • the computation of adjusted taxable income for the purposes of the alternative minimum tax, • the prohibited investment and advantage rules for registered plans, and • the corporate reorganization rules; and (c) clarifies that information may be provided to the Department of Employment and Social Development for a program for temporary foreign workers. Part 2 implements certain goods and services tax and harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) measures proposed in the March 21, 2013 budget by • introducing new administrative monetary penalties and criminal offences to deter the use, possession, sale and development of electronic suppression of sales software that is designed to falsify records for the purpose of tax evasion; and • clarifying that the GST/HST provision, exempting supplies by a public sector body (PSB) of a property or a service if all or substantially all of the supplies of the property or service by the PSB are made for free, does not apply to supplies of paid parking. Part 3 enacts and amends several Acts in order to implement various measures. Division 1 of Part 3 amends the Employment Insurance Act to extend and expand a temporary measure to refund a portion of employer premiums for small businesses. It also amends that Act to modify the Employment Insurance premium rate-setting mechanism, including setting the 2015 and 2016 rates and requiring that the rate be set on a seven-year break-even basis by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission beginning with the 2017 rate. The Division repeals the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board Act and related provisions of other Acts. Lastly, it makes technical amendments to the Employment Insurance (Fishing) Regulations. Division 2 of Part 3 amends the Trust and Loan Companies Act, the Bank Act and the Insurance Companies Act to remove the prohibition against federal and provincial Crown agents and federal and provincial government employees being directors of a federally regulated financial institution. It also amends the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act to remove the obligation of certain persons to give the Minister of Finance notice of their intent to borrow money from a federally regulated financial institution or from a corporation that has deposit insurance under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act. Division 3 of Part 3 amends the Trust and Loan Companies Act, the Bank Act, the Insurance Companies Act and the Cooperative Credit Associations Act to clarify the rules for certain indirect acquisitions of foreign financial institutions. Division 4 of Part 3 amends the Criminal Code to update the definition “passport” in subsection 57(5) and also amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to update the reference to the Minister in paragraph 11(1)(a). Division 5 of Part 3 amends the Canada Labour Code to amend the definition of “danger” in subsection 122(1), to modify the refusal to work process, to remove all references to health and safety officers and to confer on the Minister of Labour their powers, duties and functions. It also makes consequential amendments to the National Energy Board Act, the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act. Division 6 of Part 3 amends the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act to change the name of the Department to the Department of Employment and Social Development and to reflect that name change in the title of that Act and of its responsible Minister. In addition, the Division amends Part 6 of that Act to extend that Minister’s powers with respect to certain Acts, programs and activities and to allow the Minister of Labour to administer or enforce electronically the Canada Labour Code. The Division also adds the title of a Minister to the Salaries Act. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to several other Acts to reflect the name change. Division 7 of Part 3 authorizes Her Majesty in right of Canada to hold, dispose of or otherwise deal with the Dominion Coal Blocks in any manner. Division 8 of Part 3 authorizes the amalgamation of four Crown corporations that own or operate international bridges and gives the resulting amalgamated corporation certain powers. It also makes consequential amendments and repeals certain Acts. Division 9 of Part 3 amends the Financial Administration Act to provide that agent corporations designated by the Minister of Finance may, subject to any terms and conditions of the designation, pledge any securities or cash that they hold, or give deposits, as security for the payment or performance of obligations arising out of derivatives that they enter into or guarantee for the management of financial risks. Division 10 of Part 3 amends the National Research Council Act to reduce the number of members of the National Research Council of Canada and to create the position of Chairperson of the Council. Division 11 of Part 3 amends the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act to reduce the permanent number of members of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board. Division 12 of Part 3 amends the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act to allow for the appointment of up to three directors who are not residents of Canada. Division 13 of Part 3 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to extend to the whole Act the protection for communications that are subject to solicitor-client privilege and to provide that information disclosed by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada under subsection 65(1) of that Act may be used by a law enforcement agency referred to in that subsection only as evidence of a contravention of Part 1 of that Act. Division 14 of Part 3 enacts the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Fund Act, which establishes the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Fund. The Division also repeals the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Act. Division 15 of Part 3 amends the Conflict of Interest Act to allow the Governor in Council to designate a person or class of persons as public office holders and to designate a person who is a public office holder or a class of persons who are public office holders as reporting public office holders, for the purposes of that Act. Division 16 of Part 3 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to establish a new regime that provides that a foreign national who wishes to apply for permanent residence as a member of a certain economic class may do so only if they have submitted an expression of interest to the Minister and have subsequently been issued an invitation to apply. Division 17 of Part 3 modernizes the collective bargaining and recourse systems provided by the Public Service Labour Relations Act regime. It amends the dispute resolution process for collective bargaining by removing the choice of dispute resolution method and substituting conciliation, which involves the possibility of the use of a strike as the method by which the parties may resolve impasses. In those cases where 80% or more of the positions in a bargaining unit are considered necessary for providing an essential service, the dispute resolution mechanism is to be arbitration. The collective bargaining process is further streamlined through amendments to the provision dealing with essential services. The employer has the exclusive right to determine that a service is essential and the numbers of positions that will be required to provide that service. Bargaining agents are to be consulted as part of the essential services process. The collective bargaining process is also amended by extending the timeframe within which a notice to bargain collectively may be given before the expiry of a collective agreement or arbitral award. In addition, the Division amends the factors that arbitration boards and public interest commissions must take into account when making awards or reports, respectively. It also amends the processes for the making of those awards and reports and removes the compensation analysis and research function from the mandate of the Public Service Labour Relations Board. The Division streamlines the recourse process set out for grievances and complaints in Part 2 of the Public Service Labour Relations Act and for staffing complaints under the Public Service Employment Act. The Division also establishes a single forum for employees to challenge decisions relating to discrimination in the public service. Grievances and complaints are to be heard by the Public Service Labour Relations Board under the grievance process set out in the Public Service Labour Relations Act. The process for the review of those grievances or complaints is to be the same as the one that currently exists under the Canadian Human Rights Act. However, grievances and complaints related specifically to staffing complaints are to be heard by the Public Service Staffing Tribunal. Grievances relating to discrimination are required to be submitted within one year or any longer period that the Public Service Labour Relations Board considers appropriate, to reflect what currently exists under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Furthermore, the Division amends the grievance recourse process in several ways. With the sole exception of grievances relating to issues of discrimination, employees included in a bargaining unit may only present or refer an individual grievance to adjudication if they have the approval of and are represented by their bargaining agent. Also, the process as it relates to policy grievances is streamlined, including by defining more clearly an adjudicator’s remedial power when dealing with a policy grievance. In addition, the Division provides for a clearer apportionment of the expenses of adjudication relating to the interpretation of a collective agreement. They are to be borne in equal parts by the employer and the bargaining agent. If a grievance relates to a deputy head’s direct authority, such as with respect to discipline, termination of employment or demotion, the expenses are to be borne in equal parts by the deputy head and the bargaining agent. The expenses of adjudication for employees who are not represented by a bargaining agent are to be borne by the Public Service Labour Relations Board. Finally, the Division amends the recourse process for staffing complaints under the Public Service Employment Act by ensuring that the right to complain is triggered only in situations when more than one employee participates in an exercise to select employees that are to be laid off. And, candidates who are found not to meet the qualifications set by a deputy head may only complain with respect to their own assessment. Division 18 of Part 3 establishes the Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board to replace the Public Service Labour Relations Board and the Public Service Staffing Tribunal. The new Board will deal with matters that were previously dealt with by those former Boards under the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Public Service Employment Act, respectively, which will permit proceedings under those Acts to be consolidated. Division 19 of Part 3 adds declaratory provisions to the Supreme Court Act, respecting the criteria for appointing judges to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Updated Dec 12, 201341st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Jim Flaherty
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 october 2013, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages introduced Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Museums Act in order to establish the Canadian Museum of History and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Canadian Museum of History Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-7 amends the Museums Act to establish a corporation called the Canadian Museum of History that replaces the Canadian Museum of Civilization. It also sets out the purpose, capacity and powers of the Canadian Museum of History and makes consequential amendments to other Acts.
Updated Dec 12, 201341st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Shelly Glover
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 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-2, An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves (Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill addresses issues relating to family real property on reserves by providing that a First Nation has the power to enact laws relating to “the use, occupation and possession of family homes on its reserves and the division of the value of any interests or rights held by spouses or common-law partners in or to structures and lands on its reserves” (clause 7(1)). Where a First Nation does not have such laws in force, whether established under the bill, under the First Nations Land Management Act, or under a self-government agreement, provisional federal rules established in the bill will apply.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 February 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-8, An Act respecting the safety of drinking water on First Nation lands (Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-8 addresses health and safety issues on reserve lands and certain other lands by providing for regulations to govern drinking water and waste water treatment in first nations communities. Among other things, it • provides First Nation communities with drinking water and wastewater standards comparable to provincial or territorial standards off reserves; • establishes a common base to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, design and maintenance of water and wastewater systems; and • allows for regional flexibility, as federal regulations could vary from province to province and territory to territory.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 5 February 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Fighting Foreign Corruption Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. The Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) makes it a criminal offence in Canada for persons or companies to bribe foreign public officials to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of international business. Bill S-14 amends the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act to • increase the maximum sentence of imprisonment applicable to the offence of bribing a foreign public official; • eliminate the facilitation payments exception to that offence; • create a new offence relating to books and records and the bribing of a foreign public official or the hiding of that bribery; and • establish nationality jurisdiction that would apply to all of the offences under the Act.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 12 February 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (Expansion and Conservation of Canada’s National Parks Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-15 amends the Canada National Parks Act to provide for the establishment of Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada, to amend commercial zoning in the Community of Field in Yoho National Park of Canada and to reconfigure the leasehold boundary of the Marmot Ski Basin Area in Jasper National Park of Canada. Part 1 of this enactment amends the Canada National Parks Act to create Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada. It also amends the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act to prohibit drilling for petroleum in Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada or within one nautical mile seaward of Sable Island’s low-water mark, to restrict surface access rights provided for under that Act and to provide for the issuance of licences and authorizations with respect to activities that may be carried out in Sable Island National Park Reserve of Canada. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Part 2 amends the Canada National Parks Act to provide that the dedication of the national parks of Canada to the people of Canada is subject to any Act of Parliament. It also amends the description of the commercial zones for the Community of Field in Yoho National Park of Canada in Schedule 4 to that Act and of the leasehold boundary of the Marmot Basin Ski Area in Jasper National Park of Canada in Schedule 5 to that Act.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 6 March 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-17, An Act to implement conventions, protocols, agreements and a supplementary convention, concluded between Canada and Namibia, Serbia, Poland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Switzerland, for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes (Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2013) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-17 implements four recent tax treaties that Canada has concluded with Namibia, Serbia, Poland and Hong Kong. This enactment also implements amendments to provisions for the exchange of tax information found in the tax treaties that Canada has concluded with Luxembourg and Switzerland. The tax treaties with Namibia, Serbia, Poland and Hong Kong 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 amendments to the treaties with Luxembourg and Switzerland ensure that their provisions for the exchange of tax information reflect the current OECD standard on this matter. Tax treaties have two main objectives: the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion. Since a tax treaty provides relief from taxation rules in the Income Tax Act, it becomes effective only after being given precedence over domestic legislation by an Act of Parliament such as this one. Finally, for each instrument implemented by this Act to become effective, it must be ratified after the enactment of this Act.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 7 October 2011, the Minister of National Defence introduced Bill C-15, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts (Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-15 amends the National Defence Act to strengthen military justice following the 2003 report of the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Right Honourable Antonio Lamer, and the May 2009 report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Among other things it: • Provides for security of tenure for military judges until their retirement and permits the appointment of part-time military judges. • Specifies the purposes, objectives and principles of the sentencing process. • Provides for additional sentencing options, including absolute discharges, intermittent sentences and restitution. • Modifies the composition of a court martial panel according to the rank of the accused person. • Modifies the limitation period applicable to summary trials and allows an accused person to waive the limitation periods. • Sets out the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal’s duties and functions and clarifies his or her responsibilities. It also changes the name of the Canadian Forces Grievance Board to the Military Grievances External Review Committee. • Makes amendments to the delegation of the Chief of the Defence Staff’s powers as the final authority in the grievance process.
Updated Jun 19, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Gordon MacKay
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 15 February 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Security of Information Act (Combating Terrorism Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Criminal Code • to provide for an investigative hearing where individuals with information about a terrorism offence that has been or will be committed would be compelled to appear before a judge and answer questions. Numerous safeguards would be attached to this power, including an annual report with opinions by the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of Public Safety on whether these provisions should be extended; • to provide for the imposition of a recognizance with conditions on a person to prevent them from carrying out a terrorist activity. A peace officer with reasonable grounds to believe that a terrorist activity will be carried out and that the imposition of a recognizance with conditions on a particular person is necessary to prevent a terrorist activity from being carried out, then the peace officer could apply to a judge to have the person compelled to appear before him or her; • to create offences of leaving or attempting to leave Canada to commit certain terrorism offences; and • to provide for those sections to cease to have effect or for the possible extension of their operation. The investigative hearings and recognizance with conditions provisions were subject to a sunset clause. These provisions expired on 1 March 2007. Bill S-7 also amends the Canada Evidence Act to allow the Federal Court to order that applications to it with respect to the disclosure of sensitive or potentially injurious information be made public and to allow it to order that hearings related to those applications be heard in private. In addition, the enactment provides for the annual reporting on the operation of the provisions of that Act that relate to the issuance of certificates and fiats. The bill also amends the Security of Information Act to increase, in certain cases, the maximum penalty for harbouring a person who committed an offence under that Act. Lastly, it makes technical amendments in response to a parliamentary review of these 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 7 June 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-11, An Act respecting food commodities, including their inspection, their safety, their labelling and advertising, their import, export and interprovincial trade, the establishment of standards for them, the registration or licensing of persons who perform certain activities related to them, the establishment of standards governing establishments where those activities are performed and the registration of establishments where those activities are performed (Safe Food for Canadians Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-11 modernizes the regulatory system for food commodities. The bill consolidates the Fish Inspection Act, the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the food provisions of the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act. It also aligns inspection and enforcement powers across all food commodities.
Updated Nov 22, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 2011, the Minister Industry introduced Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (Copyright Modernization Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Copyright Act. Among other things, it • updates the rights and protections of copyright owners; • clarifies Internet service providers’ liability and make the enabling of online copyright infringement itself an infringement of copyright; • permits businesses, educators and libraries to make greater use of copyright material in digital form; • permits certain uses of copyright material by consumers; • gives photographers the same rights as other creators; • ensures that it remains technologically neutral; and • mandates its review by Parliament every five years.
Updated Jun 29, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Christian Paradis
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 6 October 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, introduced Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Railway Safety Act and to make consequential amendments to the Canada Transportation Act (Safer Railways Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Railway Safety Act. Among other things it • improves the oversight capacity of the Department of Transport and strengthen its enforcement powers by introducing administrative monetary penalties and increasing court-enforced penalties; • enhances the role of safety management systems by including a provision for a railway executive accountable for safety and a non-punitive reporting system for employees of railway companies; • clarifies the authority and responsibilities of the Minister of Transport with respect to railway matters; and • expands regulation-making authorities and clarify the process for rule making by railway companies.
Updated May 17, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 November 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the law governing financial institutions and to provide for related and consequential matters (Financial System Review Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The Bank Act, Cooperative Credit Associations Act, Insurance Companies Act and Trust and Loan Companies Act must be renewed by April 20, 2012, the statutory sunset date. Bill S-5 amends a number of Acts governing financial institutions. It also amends legislation related to the regulation of financial institutions. Notable among the amendments are the following: (a) amendments to the Bank Act, the Cooperative Credit Associations Act, the Insurance Companies Act and the Trust and Loan Companies Act aimed at reinforcing stability and fine-tuning the consumer-protection framework; and (b) technical amendments to the Bank Act, the Cooperative Credit Associations Act, the Insurance Companies Act, the Trust and Loan Companies Act, the Bank of Canada Act, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, the Canadian Payments Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act, the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act.
Updated Mar 29, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 September 2011, the Minister of Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-10, An Act to enact the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act and to amend the State Immunity Act, the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other Acts (Safe Streets and Communities Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill groups together nine bills that had been dealt with separately during the 3rd session of the 40th Parliament. Part 1 of Bill C-10 creates a new act, the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, to introduce a specific cause of action for victims of terrorism, allowing them to sue for loss or damage as a result of actions punishable under the Criminal Code. This Part also amends the State Immunity Act to lift state immunity where a state has supported terrorist activities (state immunity being the general rule that prevents other states from being sued in Canada’s domestic courts). However, only states included in a list to be established by the Governor in Council may have their immunity lifted and be sued. Part 2 of Bill C-10 would amend the Criminal Code to restrict the availability of conditional sentences for certain offences. It would eliminate the reference in the conditional sentencing part of the Criminal Code to serious personal injury offences. It would also restrict the availability of conditional sentences for all offences for which the maximum term of imprisonment is 14 years or life and for specified offences, prosecuted by way of indictment, for which the maximum term of imprisonment is 10 years. This Part also amends the Criminal Code to impose new mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offences committed against young people as well as increase existing mandatory penalties. It creates the offences of making sexually explicit material available to a child and of agreeing or arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child. The bill would also expand the list of specified conditions that may be added to prohibition and recognizance orders to include prohibitions concerning contact with a person under the age of 16 and use of the Internet or other digital network and expand the list of enumerated offences that may give rise to such orders and prohibitions. Finally, Part 2 amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to provide for mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment for certain drug crimes. Currently, there are no mandatory minimum penalties under the CDSA. The Bill contains an exception that would allow courts not to impose a mandatory sentence if an offender successfully completes a Drug Treatment Court (DTC) program or a treatment program, under subsection 720(2) of the Criminal Code, which is approved by a province and under the supervision of a court. Part 3 amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to increase offender accountability and tighten the rules governing conditional release, while promoting the interests and the role of victims in the correctional process. This Part also amends the International Transfer of Offenders Act to ensure that the purpose of the Act specifically refers to public safety, to add new factors to be considered by the Minister of Public Safety in deciding whether to approve the transfer of a Canadian offender back to Canada, and to make the Minister’s consideration of all listed factors discretionary rather than mandatory. Finally, Part 3 and the Schedule to the bill amend the Criminal Records Act to substitute the term “record suspension” for the term “pardon.” These amendments extend the ineligibility periods for applications for a record suspension to five years for all summary conviction offences and to 10 years for all indictable offences. They make those convicted of sexual offences against minors (with certain exceptions) and those who have been convicted of more than three indictable offences with as sentence of two or more years’ imprisonment, ineligible for a record suspension. Part 4 amends the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) in a number of ways, including emphasizing the importance of protecting society and facilitating the detention of young persons who reoffend or who pose a threat to public safety. Part 5 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to preclude situations in which foreign nationals might be exploited or become victims of human trafficking in this country. These amendments give immigration officers discretion to refuse to authorize foreign nationals to work in Canada if, in their opinion, the foreign national is at risk of being a victim of exploitation or abuse.
Updated Mar 13, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Rob Nicholson
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for budget implementation bills. The following is a short summary: On 4 October 2011, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-13, An Act to implement certain provisions of the 2011 budget as updated on June 6, 2011 and other measures (Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 implements income tax measures and related measures proposed in the 2011 budget. Among other things it: • introduces the family caregiver tax credit for caregivers of infirm dependent relatives; • introduces the children’s arts tax credit on up to $500 per child of eligible fees associated with children’s artistic, cultural, recreational and developmental activities; • introduces a volunteer firefighters tax credit to allow eligible volunteer firefighters to claim a 15% non-refundable tax credit based on an amount of $3,000; • eliminates the rule that limits the number of claimants for the child tax credit to one per domestic establishment; • removes the $10,000 limit on eligible expenses that can be claimed under the medical expense tax credit in respect of a dependent relative; • increases the advance payment threshold for the Canada child tax benefit to $20 per month and for the GST/HST credit to $50 per quarter; • allows the tuition tax credit to be claimed for eligible occupational, trade and professional examination fees; • allows the reallocation of assets in registered education savings plans for siblings without incurring tax penalties; • extends to the end of 2013 the temporary accelerated capital cost allowance treatment for investment in machinery and equipment in the manufacturing and processing sector; • expands eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation and conservation equipment; • extends eligibility for the mineral exploration tax credit by one year to flow-through share agreements entered into before March 31, 2012; • expands the eligibility rules for qualifying environmental trusts; • amends the deduction rates for intangible capital costs in the oil sands sector; • introduces rules to strengthen the tax regime for charitable donations; • introduces anti-avoidance rules for registered retirement savings plans and registered retirement income funds; • introduces rules to limit tax deferral opportunities for individual pension plans; • introduces rules to limit tax deferral opportunities for corporations with significant interests in partnerships; and • extends the dividend stop-loss rules to dividends deemed to be received on the redemption of shares held by certain corporations. Part 1 also implements other selected income tax measures and related measures. Most of these measures were referred to in the 2011 budget as previously announced measures. Among other things it • clarifies that the “financially dependent” test applies for the purposes of provisions that permit rollovers of the assets of a deceased taxpayer’s registered retirement savings plan or registered retirement income fund to an infirm child or grandchild’s registered disability savings plan; • clarifies the rules applicable to the scholarship exemption for post-secondary scholarships, fellowships and bursaries; and • amends the pension-to-registered retirement savings plan transfer limits in situations where the accrued pension amount was reduced due to the insolvency of the employer and underfunding of the employer’s registered pension plan. Part 2 amends the Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006 to implement the softwood lumber ruling rendered by the London Court of International Arbitration on January 21, 2011. Part 3 amends the Customs Tariff in order to simplify it and reduce the customs processing burden for Canadians by consolidating similar tariff items that have the same tariff rates and removing end-use provisions where appropriate. The amendments also simplify the structure of some provisions and remove obsolete provisions. Part 4 amends the Customs Tariff to introduce new tariff items to facilitate the processing of low value non-commercial imports arriving by post or by courier. Part 5 amends the Canada Education Savings Act to make the additional amount of a Canada Education Savings grant that is available under subsection 5(4) of that Act available to more than one of the beneficiary’s parents, if they share custody of the beneficiary, they are eligible individuals as defined in section 122.6 of the Income Tax Act and the beneficiary is a qualified dependant of each of them. Part 6 amends the Children’s Special Allowances Act and a regulation made under that Act respecting payments relating to children under care. Part 7 amends the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act to provide that the maximum aggregate amount of outstanding student loans is to be determined by regulation, to remove the power of the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development to deny certificates of eligibility, and to change the limitation period for the Minister to take administrative measures. It also authorizes the Minister to forgive portions of family physicians’, nurses’ and nurse practitioners’ student loans if they begin to work in under-served rural or remote communities. Part 8 amends Part IV of the Employment Insurance Act to provide a temporary measure to refund a portion of employer premiums for small business. An employer whose premiums were $10,000 or less in 2010 will be refunded the increase in 2011 premiums over those paid in 2010, to a maximum of $1,000. Part 9 provides for payments to be made to provinces, territories, municipalities, First Nations and other entities for municipal infrastructure improvements. Part 10 amends the Canadian Securities Regulation Regime Transition Office Act so that funding for the Canadian Securities Regulation Regime Transition Office may be fixed through an appropriation Act. Part 11 amends the Wage Earner Protection Program Act to extend in certain circumstances the period during which wages earned by individuals but not paid to them by their employers who are bankrupt or subject to receivership may be the subject of a payment under that Act. Part 12 amends the Canadian Human Rights Act to repeal certain provisions that provide for mandatory retirement. It also amends the Canada Labour Code to repeal a provision that denies employees the right to severance pay for involuntary termination if they are entitled to a pension. Finally, it amends the Conflict of Interest Act. Part 13 amends the Judges Act to permit the appointment of two additional judges to the Nunavut Court of Justice. Part 14 provides for the retroactive coming into force of section 9 of the Nordion and Theratronics Divestiture Authorization Act in order to ensure the validity of pension regulations made under that section. Part 15 amends the Canada Pension Plan to include amounts received by an employee under an employer-funded disability plan in contributory salary and wages. Part 16 amends the Jobs and Economic Growth Act to replace the reference to the Treasury Board Secretariat with a reference to the Chief Human Resources Officer in subsections 10(4) and 38.1(1) of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. Part 17 amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to include a definition of dependant and to provide express regulation-making authority for the provision of certain benefits in non-institutional locations. Part 18 amends the Canada Elections Act to phase out quarterly allowances to registered parties. Part 19 amends the Special Retirement Arrangements Act to permit the reservation of pension contributions from any benefit that is or becomes payable to a person. Part 20 amends the Motor Vehicle Safety Act to allow residents of Canada to temporarily import a rental vehicle from the United States for up to 30 days, or for any other prescribed period, for non-commercial use. Part 21 amends the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to clarify the legislative framework pertaining to payments under tax agreements entered into with provinces under Part III.1 of that Act. Part 22 amends the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act to change the residency requirements of certain commissioners.
Updated Dec 15, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Jim Flaherty
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 18 October 2011, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board introduced Bill C-18, An Act to reorganize the Canadian Wheat Board and to make consequential and related amendments to certain Acts (Marketing freedom for grain farmers Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 of Bill C-18 amends the Canadian Wheat Board Act to change the governance structure of the Canadian Wheat Board and to make other changes in preparation for the implementation of Parts 2 and 3. Part 2 replaces the Canadian Wheat Board Act with a new Act that continues the Canadian Wheat Board and charges it with the marketing of grain through voluntary pooling. Part 3 provides for the possible continuation of the Board under other federal legislation, while Part 4 provides for its winding up if no such continuation occurs. Finally, Part 5 provides for the repeal of the new Act enacted by Part 2.
Updated Dec 15, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Gerry Ritz
On 29 September 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-3, A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law (Federal Law-Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 3) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 seeks to make harmonization changes to 12 statutes, including the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Expropriation Act. This is the third harmonization bill to be tabled by the Government and it is part of the harmonization work that was begun by the Department of Justice Canada after the Civil Code of Québec came into force in 1994. The coming into force in 1994 of the Civil Code of Québec, which replaced the Civil Code of Lower Canada, 1866, had a significant impact on the application of federal statutes and regulations that refer to the province's private law. Harmonization of federal legislation with the civil law of Quebec was undertaken in order to prevent difficulties in applying federal legislation arising from the reform of the Civil Code of Québec. Harmonization involves reviewing all federal legislation the application of which requires reliance on provincial private law. Where necessary, harmonization changes ensure that federal legislation integrates the terminology, concepts and institutions of Quebec civil law. French common law terminology is also taken into account in this process.
Updated Nov 29, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 7 October 2011, the Minister of National Defence introduced Bill C-16, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (military judges) (Security of Tenure of Military Judges Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. On June 2, 2011 the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada delivered its judgment in the R. v. Leblanc case. In its decision, the appeal court determined that the provisions in the National Defence Act and the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces regarding the appointment and retirement of military judges do not sufficiently respect judicial independence as required by section 11(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In declaring certain National Defence Act provisions constitutionally invalid and inoperative, the Court Martial Appeal Court in R. v. Leblanc suspended the declaration of invalidity for a period of six months to allow remedial legislation to be enacted. The declaration will be effective December 2, 2011. Bill C-16 amends the provisions of the National Defence Act that deal with the tenure of military judges, providing that they serve until the retirement age of 60 years, unless removed for cause on the recommendation of an Inquiry Committee or upon the resignation of the military judge.
Updated Nov 29, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Peter Gordon MacKay
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for budget implementation bills. The following is a short summary: On 14 June 2011, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-3, the Supporting Vulnerable Seniors and Strengthening Canada's Economy Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 implements income tax measures and related measures proposed in the 2011 budget. In particular, it (a) amends the Income Tax Act and related legislation to allow beneficiaries of Registered Disability Savings Plans who have shortened life expectancies to withdraw more of their plan savings by permitting annual withdrawals without triggering the 10-year repayment rule, subject to specified limits and certain conditions; and (b) amends the Income Tax Act to ensure that individuals have the legal authority in all circumstances to appeal a determination concerning their eligibility for the disability tax credit. Part 2 amends the Excise Tax Act to introduce a 100% rebate of the goods and services tax and the harmonized sales tax paid by the Royal Canadian Legion on acquisitions of Remembrance Day poppies and wreaths. It also amends the Excise Act, 2001 and the Excise Tax Act to allow the sharing of information obtained under these statutes with countries or jurisdictions with which Canada has entered into a tax information exchange agreement. Part 3 amends the Old Age Security Act to allow an amount to be added to the amount of benefits payable to certain low-income beneficiaries. Part 4 authorizes payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for various purposes. Part 5 amends the Auditor General Act to repeal a provision that provides for mandatory retirement. Part 6 amends the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act to change the rules concerning interest paid by part-time students. Part 7 enacts the Protection of Residential Mortgage or Hypothecary Insurance Act, which is designed to support the efficient functioning of the housing finance market and the stability of the financial system in Canada by authorizing the Minister of Finance to provide protection in respect of certain mortgage or hypothecary insurance contracts. It also makes consequential amendments to the National Housing Act and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act and repeals Part 9 of the Budget Implementation Act, 2006. Part 8 amends the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to authorize additional payments to certain provinces in respect of major transfers. Part 9 amends the Insurance Companies Act to prohibit a federal mutual company from distributing its property or other benefits to policyholders and shareholders, until the Minister of Finance has approved a conversion proposal made in accordance with the regulations. Part 10 amends the Assessment of Financial Institutions Regulations, 2001 to modify the assessment of financial institutions and validates amounts assessed after May 31, 2001. Part 11 amends the Financial Administration Act to permit departments to enter into agreements respecting the provision of internal support services. It also authorizes the transfer of money when a power, duty or function or the control or supervision of a portion of the federal public administration, is transferred under section 2 or 3 of the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act. Part 12 amends the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to allow the Governor in Council to make regulations exempting vessels, and authorizing the Minister of Transport to temporarily exempt vessels, from the registration requirements in Part 2 of that Act. This Part also amends the Act to allow for the registration of a group of vessels as a fleet in the small vessel register, under a single certificate of registry and single official number.
Updated Jun 26, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Jim Flaherty
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills debated under urgency and emergency. The following is a short summary: On 20 June 2011, the Minister of Labour introduced Bill C-6, Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-6 provides for the resumption and continuation of postal services, prohibits strikes and lockouts and imposes a final offer selection process to resolve matters remaining in dispute between the parties. The arbitrator’s decision will be used as the new collective agreement.
Updated Jun 26, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Lisa Raitt
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 22 June 2011, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-8, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2012, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-8 (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2011-12) received Royal Assent on 26 June 2011 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2012. The Act provides for the sum of $67,520,468,727.00 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
Updated Jun 26, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Tony Clement
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 22 June 2011, the President of the Treasury Board introduced Bill C-9, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2012, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-9 (Appropriation Act No. 2, 2011-12) received Royal Assent on 26 June 2011 and authorizes payments to defray certain expenses of the public service of Canada, not otherwise provided for, for the financial year ending 31 March 2012. The Act provides for the sum of $2,026,401,314.00 to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be used the public service of Canada. The Act came into force on Royal Assent.
Updated Jun 26, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Tony Clement
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 14 April 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Ensuring Safe Vehicles Imported from Mexico for Canadians Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-5 amends the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to allow, pending their inspection and certification, along with other certain conditions, the importation of certain used vehicles from Mexico and the United States in order for Canada to meet its free trade obligations.
Updated Mar 23, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 April 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and Another Act (Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Under section 745.6 of the Criminal Code, known as the “faint hope” clause, offenders sentenced to life imprisonment can apply, at the 15-year mark in their sentence, for an earlier parole eligibility date. Bill S-6 amends section 745.6 such that offenders who commit murder on or after the day that this proposed legislation comes into force will no longer be eligible to apply for early parole. The faint hope regime would, however, still apply to those offenders who are currently serving or awaiting sentencing for murder, subject to certain stipulations contained within the bill.
Updated Mar 23, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
On 15 April 2010, the Minister of Industry introduced Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act (Fairness at the Pumps Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-14 provides for court-imposed fines under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. It also provides for higher maximum fines for offences committed under each of those Acts and creates new offence provisions for repeat offenders. The bill also amends the Weights and Measures Act to require that retailers have their devices that they use in trade or have in their possession for trade inspected at regular intervals. That new requirement is to be enforced through a new offence provision. The enactment also provides the Minister of Industry with the authority to designate non-government inspectors, or authorized service providers as inspectors to perform certain examinations.
Updated Mar 23, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Tony Clement
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 March 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (Protecting Victims From Sex Offenders Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, the Criminal Code, the National Defence Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. Among other things, it • requires that sexual offence convictions would result in an automatic inclusion in the Sex Offender Registry; • makes DNA sampling mandatory for all convicted sex offenders; • provides police access to the Sex Offenders Registry; • establish an administrative process to enable registration of Canadians convicted abroad of sex offences and returning to Canada under the International Transfer of Offenders Act; • notifications to other police jurisdictions when high-risk registered offenders travel; and • amendments to the National Defence Act to ensure that reforms apply to the military justice system.
Updated Dec 15, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 23 March 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-3, An Act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2010) in the Senate and it was given first reading. This enactment implements the most recent tax treaties that Canada has concluded with Colombia, Greece and Turkey. Since a tax treaty contains taxation rules that are different from the provisions of the Income Tax Act, it becomes effective only after being given precedence over domestic legislation by an Act of Parliament such as this one. The treaties implemented reflect efforts to expand Canada’s tax treaty network. Those treaties are generally patterned on the Model Double Taxation Convention prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Updated Dec 15, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
On 11 March 2010, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development introduced Bill C-3, An Act to promote gender equity in Indian registration by responding to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia decision in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs) (Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. In April 2009, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia ruled in the case of McIvor v. Canada that certain registration provisions of the Indian Act are unconstitutional as they violate the equality provision of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court suspended its declaration of invalidity for 12 months - to April 6, 2010 - to give Parliament time to amend the Indian Act. Bill C-3 proposes to render eligible the grandchildren of women who lost status as a result of marrying non-Indian men for registration (Indian status) in accordance with the Indian Act. The proposed amendments do not extend to other situations.
Updated Dec 15, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: John Duncan
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 4 May 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime) (Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Criminal Code • to create a separate offence of "theft of a motor vehicle", which would carry a mandatory prison sentence of 6 months for conviction of a third or subsequent indictable offence; • to establish a new offence for altering, destroying or removing a vehicle identification number (VIN); • to make it an offence to traffic in property obtained by crime; and • to make the possession of such property for the purpose of trafficking an offence. In addition, these amendments would provide for the application of customs powers to allow the Canada Border Services Agency to identify and prevent stolen property from leaving the country.
Updated Nov 18, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for budget implementation bills. The following is a short summary: On 29 March 2010, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-9, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 4, 2010 and other measures, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 implements income tax measures proposed in the March 4, 2010 Budget. Among other things, it • introduces amendments to the Universal Child Care Benefit Act; • amends rules relating to payments made to a Registered Education Savings Plan or a Registered Disability Savings Plan • implements amendments to the family income thresholds used to determine eligibility for Canada Education Savings Grants, Canada Disability Savings Grants and Canada Disability Savings Bonds; • reinstates the 50% inclusion rate for Canadian residents who have been in receipt of U.S. social security benefits since before January 1, 1996; • extends the mineral exploration tax credit for one year; • reduces the rate of interest payable by the Minister of National Revenue on tax overpayments made by corporations; • modifies the definition “taxable Canadian property” • amends Part I of the Income Tax Act the respect to the issuance of a refund of an overpayment of tax • repeals the exclusion for indictable tax offences from the proceeds of crime and money laundering regime; • increases the pension surplus threshold for employer contributions to registered pension plans to 25%. • amends the Medical Expense Tax Credit to exclude expenses for purely cosmetic procedures Part 2 amends the Excise Act, 2001 and the Customs Act to implement a stamping regime for tobacco products which introduces new controls over the production, distribution and possession of a new excise stamp for tobacco products. Part 2 also amends the Excise Tax Act and certain related regulations in respect of the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST). Among other things it: • implements a commission-based model to the direct selling industry; • prescribes the application of the GST/HST to purely cosmetic procedures • provides a definition of “financial service” in respect of certain administrative, management and promotional services; • prescribes the application of the input tax credit rules to financial institutions; • provide a new, uniform GST/HST rebate system for employer-sponsored pension plans • extends the due date for filing annual GST/HST returns from three months to six months after year-end for certain financial institutions. In addition, Part 2 amends regulations made under the Excise Tax Act and the Excise Act, 2001 to reduce the interest rate payable by the Minister of National Revenue in respect of overpaid taxes and duties by corporations. Part 3 amends certain provisions of the Air Travellers Security Charge Act to increase the air travellers security charge where applicable. Part 4 amends the Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006 to provide for a higher rate of charge on the export of certain softwood lumber products from the regions specified in the bill. Part 5 amends the Customs Tariff to reduce Most-Favoured-Nation rates of duty and certain other tariffs. Part 6 amends the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to provide additional payments to certain provinces and to correct a cross-reference in that Act. Part 7 amends the Expenditure Restraint Act to impose a freeze on the allowances and salaries to be paid to members of the Senate and the House of Commons for the 2010–2011, 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 fiscal years. Part 8 amends a number of Acts to reduce or eliminate Governor in Council appointments, including the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. In addition, this Part repeals The Intercolonial and Prince Edward Island Railways Employees’ Provident Fund Act. Part 9 amends the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985. Among other things it • requires an employer to fully fund benefits if the whole of a pension plan is terminated; • authorizes an employer to use a letter of credit, if certain conditions are met, to satisfy solvency funding obligations in respect of a pension plan that has not been terminated in whole; • permits a pension plan to provide for variable benefits; • establishes a distressed pension plan workout scheme, under which the employer and representatives of members and retirees may negotiate changes to the plan’s funding requirements, subject to the approval of the Minister of Finance; • provides that only the Superintendent may declare a pension plan to be partially terminated; • provides for the immediate vesting of members’ benefits; Part 10 provides for the retroactive coming into force in Canada of the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Poland. Part 11 amends the Export Development Act to grant Export Development Canada the authority to establish offices outside Canada. It also clarifies that Corporation’s authority with respect to asset management and the forgiveness of certain debts and obligations. Part 12 enacts the Payment Card Networks Act to regulate national payment card networks and the commercial practices of payment card network operators. Among other things, that Act confers a number of regulation-making powers. This Part also makes related amendments to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act to expand the mandate of the Agency so that it may supervise payment card network operators. Part 13 amends the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act to provide the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada with a broader oversight role. The amendments also increase the Agency’s ability to undertake research on trends and emerging issues. Part 14 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to confer on the Minister of Finance the power to issue directives imposing measures with respect to certain financial transactions. The amendments also confer on the Governor in Council the power to make regulations that limit or prohibit certain financial transactions. Part 15 amends the Canada Post Corporation Act to modify the exclusive privilege of the Canada Post Corporation so as to permit letter exporters to collect letters in Canada for transmittal and delivery outside Canada. Part 16 amends the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act to allow the Governor in Council to specify when a bridge institution will assume a federal member institution’s deposit liabilities and to allow the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation to make certain by-laws. This Part also amends that Act to establish the rules that apply to the assignment, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation to a bridge institution, of eligible financial contracts to which a federal member institution is a party. Part 17 amends the Bank Act and other related statutes to provide a framework enabling credit unions to incorporate and continue as banks. Part 18 authorizes the taking of a number of measures with respect to the reorganization and divestiture of all or any part of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s business. Part 19 amends the National Energy Board Act in order to give the National Energy Board the power to create a participant funding program. It also amends the Nuclear Safety and Control Act to give the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission the power to create a participant funding program and the power to prescribe fees for that program. Part 20 amends the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in respect to the requirements process for comprehensive studies, to give the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency authority to conduct most comprehensive studies and to give the Minister of the Environment the power to establish the scope of any project which involves an environmental assessment. It also amends that Act to provide, in legislation rather than by regulations, that an environmental assessment is not required for certain federally funded infrastructure projects. Part 21 amends the Canada Labour Code with respect to the appointment of appeals officers and the appeal hearing procedures. Part 22 authorizes payments to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for various purposes. Part 23 amends the Telecommunications Act to make a carrier that is not a Canadian-owned and controlled corporation eligible to operate as a telecommunications common carrier if it owns or operates certain transmission facilities. Part 24 amends the Employment Insurance Act to establish an account to be known as the Employment Insurance Operating Account and to close the Employment Insurance Account and remove it from the accounts of Canada.
Updated Jul 12, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Jim Flaherty
On 10 March 2010, The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway introduced Bill C-2, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Colombia and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia (Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-2 implements a free trade agreement between Canada and Colombia that was signed in November 2008. Among other things, it: • eliminates tariffs, reduces of non-tariff barriers between the two countries • includes management provisions dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary issues; • provides trade and investment opportunities for, among others, the agricultural and agri-food sectors, natural resources and information and communications technology (ICT); • creates market access for Canadian service providers in areas such as financial, high-tech, mining and professional services; and • facilitates the movement of business persons between Canada and the countries of the Andean Community.
Updated Jun 29, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Peter Van Loan
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 30 March 2010, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism introduced Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Federal Courts Act (Balanced Refugee Reform Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-11 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Among other things it • provides for the referral of a refugee claimant to an interview with an Immigration and Refugee Board official, who is to collect information and schedule a hearing before the Refugee Protection Division. The bill also provides for the appointment process for members of the Refugee Protection Division; • provides for the coming into force of an appeals process for claimants to appeal a decision of the Refugee Protection Division to the Refugee Appeal Division; • authorizes the Minister to designate, in accordance with the process and criteria established by the regulations, safe countries of origin and countries whose nationals are precluded from appealing to the Refugee Appeal Division; • prescribes the type of evidence that may be put before the Refugee Appeal Division and the circumstances in which that Division may hold a hearing; • prohibits a person whose claim for refugee protection has been rejected from applying for a temporary resident permit or applying to the Minister for protection in cases where less than 12 months have passed since their claim was rejected; • prescribes the Minister’s authority to grant permanent resident status or an exemption from any obligations of the Act on humanitarian and compassionate grounds or on public policy grounds; • authorizes the Minister, in respect of applications for protection, to exempt nationals, or classes of nationals, of a country or part of a country from the 12-month prohibition; • limits the circumstances in which the Minister may examine requests for permanent resident status or for exemptions from any obligations of the Act on humanitarian and compassionate grounds; and • enacts transitional provisions for pending claims. The enactment also amends the Federal Courts Act to increase the number of Federal Court judges.
Updated Jun 29, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Jason Kenney