The Senate.

• Author: Hollins, Max
• Position: Legislative Reports

Legislation

Three Senate public bills were adopted at third reading and sent to the House of Commons on October 6: Bill S-208, An Act respecting the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada, Bill S-222, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood), and Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons).

Six government bills received Royal Assent by written declaration during the quarter. Bill C-30, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Taxi Harmonized Sales Tax credit), was adopted by the Senate at third reading, without amendment, and received Royal Assent on October 18. Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing, were passed, without amendment, and received Royal Assent on November 17. On December 15, Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022, and Bill C-36, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, were passed by the Senate without amendment. Later that day, Bill C-32, Bill C-36, and 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), received Royal Assent.

The following Senate public bills also received Royal Assent by written declaration during this quarter: Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (disclosure of information by jurors), on October 18, as well as Bill S-219, An Act respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day, and Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), on December 15. On the latter date, Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies, was also passed by the Senate, without amendment, and received Royal Assent.

Chamber and Procedure

On October 6, the Speaker read a message from the House of Commons indicating that it had adopted a motion to extend to February 17, 2023, the deadline for the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying to submit a final report on its review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying and their application, including a statement of any recommended changes. The Senate adopted a corresponding motion later that day and a message was sent...