Canadian Parliament, Made Simple
What's happening in Parliament
Scores of asylum claimants warned they may face deportation after immigration law passes
Many people seeking asylum in Canada might be sent back to their home countries. This is happening because a new law, Bill C-12, has just passed. The government is sending letters to let these people know they could be deported soon.
C-12Related billBill C-12 curbing asylum, immigration rights becomes law amid warnings of court challenges
A new law makes it easier to deport some people seeking asylum in Canada. It also lets the federal government share immigrants' information with provincial governments. This could lead to legal challenges about whether the law is fair.
C-12Related billLaw to tighten Canada's borders and immigration, plus other security steps
This proposed law wants to make Canada's borders and immigration system more secure. It would give the government more power to collect and share information. The goal is to keep Canada safe.
New Law Boosts Computer Security and Changes Phone Rules
This proposed law is about computer security. It wants to make sure our phone and internet companies are safe from cyber attacks. The government could make them follow new security rules.
Law Would Give More Rights to Families of Murder Victims
This proposed law wants to change how the justice system treats families of murder victims. It would let them give victim impact statements at parole hearings. It also wants to make it harder for offenders to get parole.
Canada to Create National Women's Health Plan
There's a proposed law about women's health. It wants the government to create a plan for women's health care across Canada. The goal is to improve health services for women.
Law to force the CRA to report on unpaid income tax.
This proposed law is about taxes. It would make the Canada Revenue Agency report on unpaid income tax. This could help the government find and stop international tax evasion.
Law to Seize and Sell Assets of Hostile Countries
This proposed law would change how Canada deals with money and property taken from other countries. It would let the government use those assets to help people hurt by that foreign country's actions. Think of it as using a bad guy's money to help their victims.
Law Would Limit Kids' Access to Porn Online
This proposed law wants to keep kids from seeing porn online. It would make websites check ages. The goal is to protect children.
Law to Enact Self-Government Deal for Tlegohli Got’ine People
This proposed law is about an agreement with the Tlegohli Got’ine people. It would let them govern themselves in certain areas. Other existing laws might need small changes to fit this new agreement.
A law to change how prisons work, reducing isolation and adding oversight.
This proposed law wants to change how prisons work. It would limit when prisoners can be isolated. It also wants to make sure there's oversight and solutions if things go wrong.
Law Proposed to Protect and Improve Canada's Soil
This proposed law wants Canada to create a plan to protect and improve our soil. The goal is to keep our soil healthy for farming and the environment. It's being discussed in the Senate right now.
Ottawa proposes amendments to Elections Act to counter long-ballot protests
The Canadian government wants to change the rules about who can run in elections. Now, people can only sign one form for each person who wants to be a candidate. This is to stop people from signing many forms to make it harder for candidates to get on the ballot.
C-25Related bill
Anti-hate bill that provoked bitter debate over religious freedom passes the Commons
A new law about hate speech has passed in the House of Commons. The law was controversial because some people worried it could limit religious freedom. Now, the Senate will vote on whether to make it a law.
C-9Related billThe House agreed with the Public Accounts Committee's report from March 23, 2026.
This vote is about a report from the Public Accounts Committee. This committee looks at how the government spends money. They want to make sure tax dollars are used properly. The committee wrote a report, likely about the government's spending in 2024 and 2025. They might have also looked at Bill C-230. The report probably suggests ways the government can be better at managing money. If Parliament votes "yes," it means they agree with the committee's report. The government will then need to think about the committee's ideas and make changes. This could lead to less wasteful spending and better use of your tax money.
Canadian Heritage
State of the Journalism and Media Sectors
The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss and approve two proposed laws that would recognize Arab and Ukrainian heritage months in Canada. The first part of the meeting focused on the proposed law for Arab Heritage Month, sponsored by MP Ahmed Hussen. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Arab Canadians and promoting education about their culture and history. Committee members discussed how this recognition could foster social cohesion and reduce misconceptions about the Arab community. The committee quickly agreed to pass the proposed law. The second part of the meeting addressed the proposed law for Ukrainian Heritage Month, sponsored by MP Yvan Baker and Senator Stanley Kutcher. MP Baker highlighted the long history of Ukrainian immigration to Canada and the importance of supporting Ukraine, especially during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Senator Kutcher joined remotely from a hospital clinic to express his strong support for the proposed law, emphasizing its symbolic value in giving hope to Ukrainian Canadians and those in Ukraine. Committee members shared stories of Ukrainian contributions to Canada and the importance of unity with the Ukrainian people. This proposed law also passed quickly. Both proposed laws received unanimous support from the committee members. The committee agreed to report the proposed laws to the House of Commons as soon as possible after the Easter break. The committee briefly went into a private session to discuss future meeting schedules and witness lists for upcoming studies.
Read transcriptOttawa rejects bid to prevent sharing information about foreign-born Canadians with provinces, other countries
The Canadian government said no to a change in the new immigration law that would have stopped them from sharing information about immigrants with provinces or other countries. The government thinks it needs to be able to share this information, but some people are worried about privacy. This decision means the government will keep the power to share data about immigrants.
C-12Related billBill C-9 would go back to committee to rethink part of the proposed law about hate and religion to protect religious expression and freedom.
This vote is about whether to send Bill C-9 back to a committee for more work. Bill C-9 is a proposed law that would change how Canada deals with hate speech and hate crimes. Some Members of Parliament want the committee to take another look at a specific part of the proposed law. This part deals with hate speech related to religion. They want to make sure that people can still freely express their religious beliefs without being accused of spreading hate. They are worried that the proposed law, as it is now, might accidentally punish people for expressing their faith. If this vote passes, the committee will discuss this part of Bill C-9 again and possibly make changes. This could affect how the proposed law impacts religious freedom and free speech in Canada. Citizens should care because this vote could change the balance between protecting people from hate and allowing them to freely express their opinions and beliefs, especially about religion.
Bill C-243: This proposed law would change how parole is reviewed for people in prison.
This vote was about a proposed law called Bill C-243. The goal of this law was to change the rules around parole for some prisoners. Parole is when someone is released from prison before their full sentence is done. Bill C-243 wanted to make it so certain criminals had to wait longer before they could even ask for parole. This means they would stay in prison longer. Citizens should care because it affects how our justice system works. Some people might think this law would make our communities safer by keeping criminals in jail longer. Others might think it's unfair or that it won't actually reduce crime. Ultimately, this proposed law was defeated, so it will not become law.
Bill C-242 is being discussed to change the laws about crime and the Department of Justice.
This vote was about a proposed law called Bill C-242. This law wanted to make changes to how bail works in Canada. Bail is when someone accused of a crime is released from jail while waiting for their trial. Bill C-242 aimed to make it more difficult for people accused of violent crimes to get bail. If passed, it would have meant more people accused of these crimes would stay in jail until their trial. Supporters of the bill believed it would help prevent crime and protect the public. This vote was important because it decided whether the proposed law would move forward for further consideration. Since the bill was defeated, it will not become a law. This means the current bail rules will stay the same. People who care about crime and public safety likely had strong opinions about this bill.