Jamil Jivani

New Commission to Review Wrongful Convictions

An independent body will review possible wrongful convictions and order new trials. It offers updates and some supports, and may help applicants get bail while cases proceed.

Two-Month GST/HST Holiday on Key Purchases

From Dec 14 to Feb 15, GST/HST is 0% on listed goods and restaurant meals. You must pay and get delivery in that window; other provincial taxes still apply.

Plastics Removed From CEPA Toxic List

The bill removes plastic manufactured items from CEPA's toxic list. Federal single-use plastic bans may ease, but provinces and cities can still set their own rules.

Most vitamins and herbal remedies would face lighter rules than drugs. Health Canada could still recall unsafe products; nicotine replacement products stay under full drug-style monitoring.

Age and consent checks for porn

Porn makers and sites must check that people are 18 and gave written consent. Offenders face fines, jail, content removal, and court limits on internet use.

New watchdog to oversee RCMP and CBSA

People can file complaints about RCMP and border officers. An independent commission will review cases, set timelines, and report results, with new rules for serious incidents.

National Brain Injury Strategy and Guidelines

The federal health minister must make a brain injury plan within 18 months. It will set care guides, online help, data, and a task force with people with brain injuries.

National Flood and Drought Forecast Plan

The government must craft a plan to forecast floods and droughts. It will consult provinces, cities, and Indigenous groups and publish the plan within two years.

Canada to Create National Pandemic Plan

It requires a public pandemic plan, updated often. It adds a federal lead to work with provinces and Indigenous communities on surveillance, stockpiles, staffing, and vaccine supply.

Tougher Bail, New Tools for Domestic Violence

The law tightens bail in partner-violence cases and creates a new peace bond. Courts can order no-contact, monitoring, and gun bans; victims are told how to get release orders.

No-Cost Contraception and Diabetes Drugs

If your province signs on, you get no-cost coverage for contraception and diabetes drugs. Ottawa also starts national work on an essential medicines list and bulk buying.

Modernized Rules for Atlantic Offshore Energy

Sets clear rules for offshore wind and renewables in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Keeps joint control, adds safety and environmental checks, and can limit projects near protected areas.

Omnibus Budget Law: Taxes, Competition, Housing

It adds taxes on big digital firms and buybacks, boosts clean tech credits, and creates housing and water agencies. Workers get new leaves; therapy is tax-free.

Roadmap for Guaranteed Livable Basic Income

No money now. Ottawa must design a basic income framework, consult provinces and Indigenous leaders, set region-based amounts, and report to Parliament online each year.

Tougher Sentences for Repeat Car Theft

On a third car theft case treated as serious, judges must give at least three years in jail. No community sentences in serious cases; gang links count most.

Mandatory Minimums for Extortion, Arson Aggravates

Extortion now carries at least 3 years in prison, more with guns or gang links. Arson during extortion must count against the offender.

Sustainable Jobs Council and Action Plans

Ottawa will set five-year plans for jobs in a net-zero economy. A new council and secretariat guide training and supports; no new taxes or penalties.

National Strategy on Flood and Drought Forecasting Act

The bill creates a national plan to improve flood and drought forecasts. It requires wide consultations and reports, with no immediate changes, but better warnings and maps may follow.

Ban on replacement workers in federal strikes

Employers in federal sectors can’t use most replacement workers during strikes or lockouts. Essential safety work continues, but you may see service delays; rules start June 20, 2025.

Budget Brings New Taxes, Credits, Protections

Canada's budget law adds a 15% minimum tax on large firms, new clean tech credits, worker rights, school food funds, housing rules, open banking, and stronger car-theft and money-laundering laws.

Foreign Influence Registry and Tougher Security Powers

If you act for a foreign state in politics, you must register. The law adds new crimes, stronger spy powers, and new court rules to handle secrets.

Authorizes $118B for Federal Services

Keeps federal services funded through March 2025. No new taxes; money covers health, housing, defence, and more. Some border and tax agency funds can be used into 2026.

Extra $11.2B for 2024–25 federal programs

Parliament authorizes $11.19B in extra 2024–25 spending. It keeps federal services running and adds funds for Indigenous communities, immigration, transport, health, veterans, and housing, with no new taxes.

Appropriation Act No. 1, 2025-26

Lets the federal government spend up to $149.8 billion to run services through March 2026. Some student debts are erased, and border and tax funds last two years.

Creates new domestic violence crimes with higher penalties. Treats intimate partner murder as first-degree and tightens arrest, bail, and seized property rules.

Clearer Rules for Human Trafficking Exploitation

Police and courts will look for force, threats, lies, or abuse of power, not fear. Threats to family or others can count.

No GST/HST on Therapy and Counselling

Therapy and mental health counselling by licensed providers would be tax-free. You would not pay GST/HST on these bills, starting six months after the law is passed.

More Ways to Vote, Stronger Election Rules

Canadians get more chances to vote and easier mail-in options. Parties face stricter privacy rules, and foreign influence and misinformation are tougher to do.

Canada Sanctions Hostage-Takers, Aids Families

Canada can freeze assets and block dealings with those who take Canadians hostage. Families get support, victims may be paid, and informants can earn rewards or immigration help.

Build Homes Faster or Lose Federal Funds

Cities get more or less federal money based on housing built and permit speed. New below-market rentals get a full GST rebate and more public land is sold for homes.

Provincial Reviews Can Replace Federal Assessments

Some projects will use a province's review instead of Ottawa's. You can comment on draft agreements for 60 days, but project input will follow provincial rules.

Mandatory Maximum Security for High-Risk Offenders

Some high‑risk inmates must be held in maximum security and cannot get unescorted temporary absences. The rule starts three months after Royal Assent.

March 11 recognized as Pandemic Observance Day

March 11 will be a national observance to remember COVID-19. No day off or closures; activities are optional.

Indigenous-Led National Reconciliation Council Created

Creates an Indigenous-led council to track reconciliation. Expect yearly public reports, a Prime Minister response, and more education; donations to the council will get tax receipts.

Allegiance Oath Becomes Optional for Parliament

Federal MPs and Senators can swear an Oath of Office instead of the Oath of Allegiance. It does not change services or taxes and starts when the bill becomes law.

Approves $21.6B for Federal Services

Lets Ottawa spend $21.6B more this year for health, housing, immigration, transit, defence, and Indigenous services. Core programs continue, and some funds can carry into next year.

More Time to Report Workplace Harassment

Former workers can file within two years of leaving or two years after the process ends. Federally regulated employers must act on cases known within two years of leaving.

MPs Deemed Need-to-Know for Secret Clearances

MPs and Senators can apply for Secret clearance without proving need to know. They still face full screening and get no automatic access to classified files.

New Crime: Coercive Control in Relationships

Patterned controlling abuse in relationships becomes a criminal offence. Courts add victim safeguards and can limit guns; DNA and sex offender registry orders may apply.

Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act

Cuts the lowest income tax rate and adds a GST/HST rebate for first-time new home buyers. Ends the federal fuel charge and sets privacy rules for political parties.

Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

Tighter border checks, new drug and money laundering rules, and faster asylum decisions. Government can pause immigration streams; the Coast Guard moves to Defence.

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1

Taxes change, new credits arrive, and housing efforts expand. School meals grow, open banking starts, and clean energy incentives increase.

One Canadian Economy Act

Provincial rules and licences count for federal ones. Big projects can get one federal permit faster, with conditions, safety checks, and Indigenous consultation.

Many people born abroad to Canadian parents become citizens. Future kids or adoptees abroad need a Canadian parent with about three years in Canada.

Appropriation Act No. 2, 2025-26

This bill lets Ottawa spend $8.58B on defence and cybersecurity this year. It keeps military and cyber operations running; no change to taxes.