✔︎ Bill C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages

Bill

Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Business Act and to make related amendments to other Acts

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act updates the Official Languages Act and reflects the changes requested by minority official languages communities, including the BC Francophone Association.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✔︎ Bill C-294 (Right to Repair)

Bill

Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The government supports the ambition of Bill C-294, recognizing that Canadian consumers and workers, such as those in the technological and agricultural sectors, have highlighted the positive impacts right-to-repair legislation would have on competition and sustainability efforts.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate

✘ Bill C-311, Violence Against Pregnant Women Act

Bill

Bill C-311, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (violence against pregnant women)

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Our government condemns all forms of violence against women, but this Bill could be used as a stepping stone toward opening the abortion debate in Canada, which I am firmly against. The Bill also has errors that make it ineffective in addressing its stated purpose and would actually reduce the legal tools available to pregnant individuals who are assaulted.

Failed.

Bill Status

Bill defeated

✔︎ Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act

Bill

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

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to promote alignment with the growing number of jurisdictions seeking to replace, reduce, or refine animal testing; protect subpopulations that may be more susceptible or highly exposed to harmful substances and take cumulative effects into account.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✔︎ Bill S-245 (Granting Citizenship to Certain Canadians)

Bill

Bill S-245, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act addresses the issue of “lost Canadians” and provides a clear process to renounce citizenship by those affected if they so desire.

Passed.

Bill Status

At report stage in the House of Commons

✔︎ Bill C-281, International Human Rights Act

Bill

Bill C-281, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Broadcasting Act and the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Bill C-281 creates significant issues that could inadvertently endanger the lives of detained human rights defenders and weaken Canada’s sanctions regime. Additionally, the Bill uses terminology that does not have agreed international or domestic legal definitions, duplicates provisions that are previously legislated and includes provisions that would be difficult to enforce. The Government continues to support measures that will promote human rights abroad and protect human rights defenders around the world. Given that all opposition parties indicated their support for the Bill and the significant issues in Bill C-281, the Government will support the Bill with the intent of putting forward substantive amendments to improve the legislation at the committee stage.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate

✔︎ Bill C-291 (Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material)

Bill

Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (child sexual abuse and exploitation material)

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Government of Canada is committed to preventing and protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation of any kind, including internationally. Canada works closely with international partners to combat online child sexual exploitation. This includes not only the exchange of information regarding new and emerging threats, but also the sharing of best practices and lessons learning in combatting this crime.

Passed.

Bill Status

At consideration in committee in the Senate

✔︎ Bill S-227, Food Day in Canada Act

Bill

Bill S-227, An Act to establish Food Day in Canada

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Supporting this Bill sends the message that the government values connections and trust between consumers and food producers, while also valuing the ability of local food systems to offer a variety of choices to consumers. The government would show it recognizes inequities in food systems across the country and is willing to propose concrete solutions to address them. This Bill fills a void, since no official, federally designated day exists to celebrate the contribution of this sector to Canada.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✔︎ Bill S-211, Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act

Bill

Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

Bill S-211 has operational issues around implementation and, on its, own, does not meet the government’s overall commitment to eradicate forced labour from Canadian supply chains. Nevertheless, it represents an important first step in addressing the issue.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

✘ Bill C-248 (Ojibway National Urban Park)

Bill

Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada)

Vote

Nay.

Rationale

Parks Canada is already working with the City of Windsor, Caldwell First Nation, Walpole Island First Nation, the Government of Ontario, and other local partners to establish a national urban park in Windsor. Bill C-248 shares our same goal of establishing a national urban park in Windsor, which is why we support it having the opportunity to be studied in the Senate with some recommendations moving forth.

Passed.

Bill Status

At second reading in the Senate