✘ Bill C-325 (conditions of release and conditional sentences)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-325, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (conditions of release and conditional sentences)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
This Bill is inconsistent with our Government’s reforms and values. It runs contrary to the spirit of Bill C-5 and the desired goal of reducing the overrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and marginalized communities in the criminal justice system. Specifically, the repeal of CSO restrictions in C-5 aimed to restore judicial discretion at sentencing, reduce the overreliance on incarceration, as appropriate, and encourage the diversion of less serious offending out of the criminal justice system. C-325 threatens these goals.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated
✘ Bill C-314 (medical assistance in dying)
Voted nay. Bill defeated.
Bill
Bill C-314, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
The Government acknowledges the complexity of the issue and surrounding concerns, but emphasize that it is confident that the healthcare system and practitioners will be ready to safely and consistently provide MAID where the sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness by March 17, 2024.
Failed.
Bill Status
Bill defeated
✘ Bill C-319 (amount of full pension)
Voted nay. Vote passed.
Bill
Bill C-319, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
Bill C-319 proposes two sets of amendments to the OAS Act. The first amendment would increase the Old Age Security (OAS) by 10% for seniors aged between 65 and 74. In 2022 our government increased OAS by 10% for seniors 75 and above. The Bloc would like this increase to extend to all seniors as they state that the change has created two classes of seniors and that all seniors need increased financial security. We disagree, as the increase for older seniors over 75 was deliberate since older seniors are in greater need of additional support as they are more likely to outlive their savings, be unable to work, be widowed, and have increased health care needs. The second amendment would raise the GIS Earnings Exemption, by providing a full exemption on the first $6,500 of annual earnings. We oppose this as our government, in 2019, already raised the GIS Earnings Exemption from $3500 to $5000 and partial exemption of 50% for earning between $5,001 to $10,000 for each GIS or Allowance recipient, as well as their spouse. We also extended earnings to apply to both employment and self-employment income.
Passed.
Bill Status
At consideration in committee in the House of Commons
✔︎ Bill C-244 (Right to Repair)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The intent of Bill C-244 is to allow consumers to repair a product they own without violating the Copyright Act. However, given its wide scope, any amendment to the Copyright Act can have unforeseen impacts on our innovation ecosystem. TPMs also receive varying levels of protection under Canada’s international agreements, the breach of which could result in retaliatory actions. A thorough study at the committee stage could identify and mitigate any unintended consequences of the amendments proposed, strengthening the sustainability and efficacy of the legislation.
Passed.
Bill Status
At second reading in the Senate
✔︎ Bill C-49 (Accord Acts Amendments)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
These amendments build on our governments’ joint announcements in April 2022, to expand the mandate of the Offshore Boards to include the regulation of offshore renewable energy projects. Amending the Accord Acts and expanding the mandate of the existing Offshore Boards to include offshore renewable energy will ensure there is a clear, consistent and predictable regulatory regime in federal-provincial jointly managed offshore areas. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canada’s clean energy sector by working with provincial partners like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador on these amendments to create new clean energy opportunities, strengthen the economy and better protect Canada’s environment for the future.
Passed.
Bill Status
At consideration in committee in the House of Commons
✔︎ Bill C-323, (Mental Health Services)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (mental health services)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The government is very supportive of the policy but there are tax integrity concerns with the implementation of this bill. It is suggested that this bill be studied at length to protect the integrity of the tax system, ensure this is done in-step with provinces and territories, and that it applies to regulated mental health services. The Bill has been voted through for further consideration at committee.
Passed.
Bill Status
At consideration in committee in the House of Commons
✔︎ Bill C-288 (Transparent and Accurate Broadband Services Information)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-288, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
Under the proposed Direction, the CRTC will be required to undertake a number of activities to promote competition and consumer rights. They include a requirement to implement mandatory broadband testing and performance reporting. It also goes further to require rigorous evaluation and reporting on mobile wireless (cell) coverage.
Passed.
Bill Status
At second reading in the Senate
✔︎ Bill S-224 (Trafficking in Persons)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The current definition of exploitation focuses on the impact of the trafficker’s conduct on a reasonable person in the victim’s circumstances. As this definition has been interpreted broadly, including by appellate courts, and has secured convictions, we cannot support Bill S-224’s proposal to remove it from the Criminal Code. We propose amending Bill S-224 to add its proposed definition of exploitation as an additional definition that could be used in appropriate cases, providing prosecutors with an additional tool to ensure traffickers are held to account.
Passed.
Bill Status
At report stage in the House of Commons
✔︎ Bill C-242, Reuniting Families Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents)
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The fundamental program changes sought in this Bill are in the best interest of Canadians and Canadian permanent residents.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received
✔︎ Bill C-224, National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
The Act builds on our commitments through the 2021 comprehensive Action Plan to protect firefighters from harmful chemicals released during household fires and the Minister of Health’s mandate letter.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received