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Bills before Parliament

What each bill does, in plain language. Both sides of the debate where there has been one.

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Bills 8 Petitions
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Ordered by the most recent activity in Parliament. Demos does not rank bills by importance.

Bill S-234 3rd reading · Senate

National Framework on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Act

This bill would require the federal government to develop a national framework for addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) — a lifelong condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth — covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support services.

What it means for you

Canadians affected by FASD and their families could benefit from a more coordinated, country-wide approach to diagnosis and support, reducing the patchwork of services that currently varies by province.

EconomicGovernanceReconciliation
No debate summary yet — we'll add the for/against once this bill is debated.
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Bill C-264 Defeated

An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping

This bill would repeal the law that bans large oil tankers from operating along Canada's northern Pacific coast (mainly the northern B.C. coastline).

What it means for you

If passed, oil tankers would be allowed to carry crude and other petroleum products through waters off northern B.C. that are currently off-limits, potentially enabling new pipeline and export projects.

EconomicGovernanceEnvironmentalReconciliation
The debate · 3 points

Supporters say

  • A rail project already in place could ship 250,000 barrels of oil a day from Prince Rupert, starting in about two years and without taxpayer subsidy.
  • Removing the west coast tanker ban would let Canadian oil reach world prices through the Pacific, instead of selling in the U.S. at a discount (cited as $26 a barrel lower).
  • The tanker ban does not stop tankers from sailing through the waters it is meant to protect, so its environmental rationale is questioned.

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Bill C-39 In committee · Commons

Building Canada Strong Act

This is a wide-ranging omnibus bill touching many different policies important to Canadians. Included among these, it speeds up government approvals for major infrastructure and energy projects, strengthens supply chain laws, updates labour rules, and modernizes trade document processes.

What it means for you

Big construction and energy projects could get approved faster, goods could move more efficiently across Canada, and workers in federally regulated industries could see changes to collective bargaining rights. Read the deep analysis for more details.

Deep analysis
EconomicGovernanceEnvironmentalReconciliation
The debate · 6 points

Supporters say

  • The bill would speed up approvals for major projects such as energy, mining, ports and transportation corridors. Supporters say a single, coordinated review and clearer timelines would give investors more certainty and get projects built faster.
  • Supporters say the bill would reduce work stoppages in federally regulated sectors such as transportation and trade. They argue that more time to bargain, earlier access to mediation, and clearer rules would help workers and employers reach agreements before disputes escalate.
  • The bill would strengthen labour protections, including measures against wage theft and worker misclassification, better protection for workers when contracts change hands, help for workers seeking a first collective agreement, and faster grievance arbitration.

Critics say

  • Changes to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code would allow the federal government to end legal strikes and lockouts. Critics say the criteria for intervention are too broad, and they call for clear limits, written reasons to Parliament, and an independent mediator. Some unions want section 107 repealed entirely.
  • Several First Nations and Indigenous organizations say they were not properly consulted, that consultation was rushed, and that they received too little information about major projects. Some have launched court challenges, and they argue the bill could affect treaty rights and fall short of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • Critics argue the bill would weaken environmental protections and favour fossil fuel infrastructure. They cite scientists' concerns about irreversible environmental damage and argue that Canada's climate goals are being undermined.
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Bill S-251 2nd reading · Senate

An Act to establish a national strategy to end energy poverty

This bill requires the federal government to create a national strategy to end 'energy poverty' — the inability to afford adequate heating, cooling, and electricity — with targets, reporting to Parliament, and an advisory council.

What it means for you

Low-income Canadians, seniors, renters, and people in northern or remote communities who struggle to pay energy bills could eventually benefit from new federal programs focused on affordable energy and home efficiency upgrades.

EconomicGovernanceEnvironmentalReconciliation
The debate · 3 points

Supporters say

  • A national strategy would create federal accountability for addressing energy poverty.
  • The federal government can collect and analyze data and set thresholds, so it can direct time and resources where they will have the greatest impact.
  • Improving home energy efficiency, such as furnaces and boilers, reduces energy use even when that energy comes from fossil fuels. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is a positive step in this direction.

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Bill S-241 In committee · Senate

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act

Gives First Nations governing bodies the exclusive right to run and license lottery schemes on their own reserves, independent of provincial gaming authorities.

What it means for you

First Nations on reserves could operate their own lotteries and gaming without needing a provincial licence, giving them more economic control and self-governance over activities on their lands.

EconomicGovernanceReconciliation
No debate summary yet — we'll add the for/against once this bill is debated.
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Bill C-253 Not yet scheduled

National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act

This bill directs the federal government to create a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income — a program that would provide every Canadian with a minimum amount of money to meet basic needs, no matter their work status.

What it means for you

If implemented, Canadians living in poverty — including people with disabilities, single parents, and those without stable work — could receive regular income support to cover essentials like food, housing, and utilities.

EconomicGovernanceReconciliation
No debate summary yet — we'll add the for/against once this bill is debated.
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Bill C-205 Not yet scheduled

An Act to amend the National Housing Strategy Act

This bill would amend the National Housing Strategy Act to strengthen Canada's commitment to treating housing as a human right and improve accountability for housing outcomes.

What it means for you

Canadians struggling to find affordable housing could see stronger legal protections and government accountability for meeting housing needs. Prevents removing homeless encampments from federal land. Includes indigenous peoples in deciding on programs that affect them.

EconomicGovernanceReconciliation
No debate summary yet — we'll add the for/against once this bill is debated.
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Bill C-201 Not yet scheduled

An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services)

This bill would amend the Canada Health Act to include mental health, addiction, and substance use services as covered health services — meaning they would be publicly funded and universally accessible, just like physical health care.

What it means for you

Right now, Canadians must pay out of pocket or rely on workplace benefits for therapy and mental health treatment. This bill would let you access those services with your health card, not your credit card.

EconomicGovernanceReconciliation
The debate · 6 points

Supporters say

  • Canadians with workplace benefits or money can access therapy and counselling, while those without cannot. This bill would fix that inequality by making these services universally available through the public health system.
  • untreated mental illness now costs the Canadian economy an estimated $200 billion per year, up from $50 billion in 2012. The Parliamentary Budget Officer found that achieving full parity would cost just 1.5% of total public health spending — a small investment with large returns.
  • in 2024, over 40% of Canadian adults who needed mental health care had their needs only partially met or not at all.

Critics say

  • The federal government has repeatedly promised to act on mental health parity but has not followed through, suggesting political will — not legislation — may be the real barrier. Critics question whether amending the Canada Health Act alone would force provinces to deliver better services.
  • Funding commitments announced in election campaigns (such as $150 million per year for youth mental health) have not been reflected in actual budgets, raising doubts about whether any new obligations created by this bill would be adequately financed.
  • Expanding the Canada Health Act to include community-based mental health services would require significant new transfers to provinces and territories, and the federal government has not committed to the level of funding needed to make this meaningful in practice.
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