Gender Impact Statements for All Federal Bills

Summary#

This bill changes the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. It requires the Minister for Women and Gender Equality to review federal bills and certain amendments for their potential effects on women, especially Indigenous women, and to report to Parliament. It also requires public posting of these statements. The rules apply to bills introduced six months after Royal Assent.

• Government bills: Minister must table a statement within 2 sitting days of introduction (new s. 5.1(1)-(2)).
• Other bills: If sent to committee, Minister must table a statement within 10 sitting days (new s. 5.2(1)-(2)).
• Amendments: When a bill amended by its first House reaches the other House, Minister must table a statement within 7 sitting days (new s. 5.3).
• Public access: All statements must be posted on the department’s website by the next day after tabling (new s. 5.4).
• Start date: Applies to bills introduced on or after 6 months after Royal Assent (Transitional).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • You will be able to read short official statements on how new federal bills may affect women and Indigenous women. The department must post each statement online the day after it is tabled (s. 5.4). This starts 6 months after Royal Assent and only applies to bills introduced after that date (Transitional).

• Women and Indigenous women

  • Every government bill will have a rapid review of potential impacts on women, with specific attention to Indigenous women, tabled within 2 sitting days (s. 5.1).
  • Non-government bills will be reviewed once they are sent to committee, with a statement due within 10 sitting days (s. 5.2).
  • If a bill is amended in its first House, the effects of those amendments must be assessed and reported to the other House within 7 sitting days (s. 5.3).
  • The law does not require Parliament to change a bill based on these statements. It adds transparency but not a veto or delay mechanism (no such provision in text).

• Members of Parliament and Senators

  • You will receive timely, tabled statements on potential effects on women at set points in the process: bill introduction (government bills), committee referral (other bills), and inter‑House transmission after amendments (s. 5.1–5.3).
  • No enforcement or penalty for missed deadlines is specified in the bill text.

• Federal departments (especially Women and Gender Equality Canada)

  • The Minister must produce, table, and publish statements on strict timelines and for multiple trigger points in the legislative process (s. 5.1–5.4).
  • Expect added coordination with sponsoring departments to gather information quickly, especially within the 2 sitting day window for government bills.

• Advocacy groups, researchers, and journalists

  • You will gain regular, official statements to cite when assessing impacts of proposed laws on women, including Indigenous women, posted publicly the day after tabling (s. 5.4).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• The bill contains no explicit spending, appropriations, fees, or revenues.
• It creates a new, ongoing duty for the Minister and department to prepare, table, and publish statements under short deadlines (s. 5.1–5.4).
• Administrative and staffing costs are likely but not quantified in the bill or accompanying materials. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Improves transparency and accountability by requiring public statements on potential effects on women for nearly all bills and certain amendments, with set deadlines (s. 5.1–5.4).
• Focuses attention on Indigenous women, who often face distinct impacts, by naming them in every required statement (s. 5.1–5.3).
• Ensures early input on government bills within 2 sitting days, giving legislators timely information before key debates and votes (s. 5.1(2)).
• Covers non‑government bills at the committee stage, when detailed study occurs, with up to 10 sitting days to prepare the statement (s. 5.2(2)).
• Mandates next‑day online publication, making information easy to find for the public and media (s. 5.4).

Opponents' View#

• Tight timelines (2, 7, and 10 sitting days) may force shallow analysis or increase errors, especially during periods with many bills and amendments (s. 5.1–5.3).
• The bill adds workload for the department but provides no funding; implementation may strain resources or divert staff from other duties. Data unavailable.
• The scope centers on women, particularly Indigenous women, and does not require assessment of impacts on men or gender‑diverse people (by omission in s. 5.1–5.3).
• The statements are informational only; there is no requirement for Parliament to act on them, which could limit practical influence (no such provision in text).
• The bill sets deadlines but no penalties or enforcement tools if statements are late or incomplete, which could reduce compliance incentives (no such provision in text).