Bill S-219
Awaiting 1st reading · Senate
Judicial Independence Day Act
This bill would establish a national Judicial Independence Day in Canada to recognize and celebrate the principle that judges must be free from political interference when making decisions.
Sponsor · Hon. Pierre Moreau
What it means for you
Canadians would have a designated day to reflect on the importance of an independent judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law.
The debate · 5 points
Supporters say
- The bill would allow Canada to impose sanctions on foreign governments that intimidate, harass, or threaten their own citizens living abroad — a practice known as transnational repression.
- It would require the government to formally respond when Parliament passes a motion calling for sanctions against a corrupt foreign leader, making the sanctions process more accountable.
- It strengthens existing human rights tools by expanding the Magnitsky sanctions law, which has not been used since 2018, and by adding a clear definition of 'prisoner of conscience.'
Critics say
- Publicly listing the names and status of political prisoners could put their families at risk of retaliation from the governments holding them.
- The bill overlaps with an earlier bill that passed the House unanimously but died before becoming law, and key differences between the two versions need careful review in committee.
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