S-217Bill not proceeded with

Law to Use Confiscated Assets for Good

Using Seized Assets Law

Introduced Nov 23, 2021·Last discussed Oct 17, 2022

Summary

This proposed law wanted to change how the government uses money and property taken from criminals. If passed, the government could have used these seized assets to help people hurt by the criminals' actions. Instead of just keeping the money, it could go towards compensating victims. This change would affect anyone who has been harmed by criminal activity where assets are seized. It could include victims of fraud, human rights abuses, or other crimes where the government takes money or property from the people responsible. This proposed law was important because it could have provided a way for victims to get some form of justice and compensation. It showed an effort to turn something negative, like seized criminal assets, into something positive by directly helping those who suffered. However, because this proposed law didn't move forward, the government still cannot use seized assets to compensate victims.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

This bill

Taxes & Government SpendingInvest more in public services

The bill allows the government to use seized assets, which could be seen as a form of revenue, and directs it towards victim support, implying a slight increase in government spending on a specific area.

Crime & Public SafetyStronger law enforcement

The bill focuses on seizing assets from criminals and using them to compensate victims, aligning with a 'tough on crime' approach by targeting the financial gains of criminal activity.

Identity & Human RightsRespect all identities equally

By directing funds to victims of crime, the bill could disproportionately benefit marginalized groups who are often victims of crime, thus promoting equity, though in a limited way.

Housing & Cost of LivingBalance market and affordability programs

If the crimes that the funds are being seized from are related to housing, such as fraud or illegal construction, then this could have a slight positive impact on the housing market.

Bill Quality

Solid

This proposed law allows the government to repurpose assets seized from people who commit international human rights abuses. It creates a way to use these funds to help victims and support humanitarian efforts, but relies on court decisions about who gets the money and how it's used.

Things to Watch For

The law depends on courts to decide who gets the money, which could lead to inconsistent results.
It does not guarantee that victims will be the primary beneficiaries of the funds.
The process for applying for funds is not clearly defined, potentially creating barriers for some applicants.
The law doesn't specify how the registry of frozen assets will be maintained or updated.
It is unclear how the law will handle situations where multiple parties claim a right to the same assets.

Progress

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