Charles Sousa

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.

Clearer Release Notices for Crime Victims

Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board must explain how offender release and review dates are set for registered victims. This does not change release rules, only the notice.

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.

New Trust Protects Unpaid Produce Suppliers

Unpaid sellers of fresh produce get first claim if a buyer goes bankrupt. With 30-day terms and notice, the goods and sale money are held for them.

Stronger Sentencing for Attacks on Health Workers, Responders

Judges must treat attacks or death threats against on-duty health workers and first responders as more serious at sentencing. No new crimes or higher maximums, but sentences may be tougher.

Canada bans air export of slaughter horses

Flying horses abroad for slaughter would stop. Other air shipments need a signed declaration, with fines for lies. Rules start 18 months after approval.

Canada Tightens Cyber Rules for Critical Services

The bill sets cyber rules for banks, telecoms, energy and transport. Government can order risky gear removed and demand fast incident reports, with big fines for ignoring directions.

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.

April Named Arab Heritage Month Nationwide

Parliament would recognize April as Arab Heritage Month. It changes no holidays, programs, or duties; any observance is optional.

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.

Legal to Bypass Digital Locks for Repair

You and your repair shop can legally bypass digital locks on products only to diagnose, maintain, or fix them. It doesn't allow copying software or require parts or manuals.

National Eye Care Plan and Macular Degeneration Month

The Health Minister must work with provinces and Indigenous partners to create an eye care plan in 18 months. It may speed drug reviews and makes February an awareness month.

Allow Bypassing Digital Locks for Interoperability

You can legally bypass a digital lock on software you bought to make it work with other devices or parts. Sharing info is allowed only for that purpose.

Travel Tax Break for Construction Workers

Construction tradespeople can deduct travel to job sites 120 km or more from home. Starting with 2022 taxes, this lowers income if you pay for travel and got no allowance.

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.

Stronger Federal Whistleblower Protections

Federal workers get more ways to report wrongdoing and stronger protection from reprisals. A longer complaint window and penalties apply, and contractors are covered.

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.

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.

Renaming Child Pornography to Abuse Material

It changes the term to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. No new crimes; penalties and bans stay the same, and it takes effect one year after Royal Assent.

Set Deadlines for Open Banking Plan

Requires the finance minister to publish an open banking plan within 30 days. A full bill must follow in 6 months or a delay report is required. No immediate changes.

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.

Broadcast regulator to consult provinces on French markets

The federal broadcast regulator must hear from provinces before setting rules that affect Quebec culture or French-language markets. It adds a consultation step but gives no provincial veto.

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.

Old Age Security Up 10%, Work Pays More

All seniors 65+ get a 10% Old Age Security increase. Low-income seniors can earn more from work before Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits are reduced.

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.

Ports and Rail Get Tougher Safety Rules

New rules boost security at ports and on trains. Ports must consult locals and Indigenous groups, post climate plans, and a B.C. zone gets a 14‑day anchoring limit.

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.

Canada Ends Spanking Defence in Law

Parents and teachers lose the correction defence for physical discipline. Spanking could be treated as assault; changes start 30 days after Royal Assent.

Create National School Food Framework

The bill tells the federal government to plan a school food system with provinces and Indigenous partners. It sets standards and timelines but does not start meals or spend money.

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.

Parliament to Appoint Visual Artist Laureate

Parliament will name a Visual Artist Laureate for up to two years. They will promote the arts, create works for state events, and sponsor exhibitions in Parliament.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Canada Plans Environmental Justice Strategy

The environment minister must create a national plan to address environmental racism. It requires consultations, public data, and five-year reviews, but makes no direct cleanup or permit changes.

Clear Home Internet Speed Labels

ISPs must publish typical speeds and service quality. The CRTC will set how to measure and display it and enforce compliance.

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.

Crackdown on monopolies, mergers, and cartels

Canada tightens competition rules. Big mergers may be stopped or undone, and cartels face higher fines and jail. Competition Bureau can challenge unfair prices and review deals for three years.

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

Court Challenges Program Enshrined in Law

The minister must keep the Court Challenges Program. It funds major language and Charter rights cases, with an independent administrator and a yearly report to Parliament.

Farm carbon charge exemptions for 8 years

For eight years, farms won't pay the carbon charge on natural gas and propane used to heat barns, greenhouses, or dry grain. Home heating bills are unchanged.

Age Checks for Porn Sites Nationwide

Porn websites must keep minors out or face fines. Adults may need privacy-safe age checks; noncompliant sites can be blocked by Canadian ISPs.

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.

New human rights law tightens sanctions, media

Canada will publish a yearly human rights report. It also tightens sanctions follow-up, blocks licences for sanctioned foreign-linked media, and bans loans or investments tied to cluster munitions.

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.

15-Week EI Benefit for Adoption and Surrogacy

Adoptive and surrogacy parents get up to 15 more weeks of EI to bond with their child. Federally regulated workers also gain longer, job-protected adoption leave.

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.

New Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor

Seven land parcels in Windsor become a federal urban park managed by Parks Canada. Park rules protect wildlife and nature; a public plan must follow within five years.

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.

Canada tightens foreign investment security reviews

Some foreign investors must notify and wait before closing deals. The government can set temporary rules, review more minority and state-owned deals, share info with allies, and raise penalties.

Parliament approves $8.9B year-end spending

Parliament approves $8.9B to keep programs running. It funds defence, Indigenous services, and the Gordie Howe Bridge, and writes off some student loans without changing taxes.

Interim $74B Keeps Federal Services Running

Parliament approves temporary funding to keep federal programs running until the full budget passes. Health care, Indigenous services, veterans supports, research, parks, ferries, and border services continue.

Canada Commits to National Child Care System

The federal government pledges long-term child care funding through provincial and Indigenous agreements. A new council and yearly reports will track access, cost, quality, and inclusion.

Implements updated Canada–Ukraine free trade agreement

Canada approves the updated trade deal with Ukraine and updates customs and tribunal laws. It adds oversight for Canadian firms in Ukraine and sets rules for disputes.

MAID for mental illness delayed to 2027

People whose only condition is a mental illness cannot get MAID until March 17, 2027. Parliament will study the issue and may suggest changes before then.

Wireless licences must serve 50% in 3 years

Carriers must cover at least half of people in each local area within three years. If they fail, licences can be revoked and reassigned to keep service going.

Gun Crackdown and Nuclear Security Powers

Penalties for gun crimes increase. Police and courts can remove guns in risky homes, limit handgun transfers, stop ghost guns, and allow trained guards at nuclear sites.

Boosts Rental Rebate, Toughens Competition Law

Removes GST on new rental builds, which could add supply. Strengthens competition law to curb unfair pricing and probe markets like groceries.

Parliament approves $20.7B in-year funding

This bill adds $20.7B to federal budgets so services keep running. It boosts Indigenous programs, defence, immigration, health, housing, and infrastructure, with some funds usable into 2025.

Tougher Neglect Rules for Long-Term Care

Long-term care owners and officers face a clear legal duty to provide basic needs. Courts can ban convicted leaders from working with vulnerable adults.

Environmental Rights and Court Access for Canadians

It gives everyone a right to a healthy environment. People can get information, join decisions, and take court cases on environmental harm; public servants are protected for speaking up.

Sex Offender Registry and Publication Ban Reforms

The bill tightens sex offender registration and gives victims more say on publication bans. Police get new tools, and victims can get sentence updates.

Greener Materials for Federal Buildings

The federal government must consider greenhouse gas reductions when setting rules for its buildings and public works. It can allow wood or other low-carbon materials, but nothing is required.

Ban on Federal COVID Vaccine Mandates

The federal government could not require COVID shots for federal staff, workers in federally regulated sectors, or passengers. Other rules like masks or testing could still apply.

Tougher Rules for Parole Breaches and Sentencing

Creates a new crime for serious offenders who break release conditions. Parole officers must report breaches, and fewer crimes qualify for serving sentences in the community.

No Assisted Dying for Mental Disorders

People with only a mental disorder could not get assisted dying. Doctors must send them to mental health care instead; rules for physical illness stay the same.

Budget Act Delivers Payments, Fees, and Reforms

Moves 2023 budget into law. Low-income families get faster benefits, air travel fees rise, consumer and airline rules tighten, and a new innovation agency and health funding roll out.

Platforms Must Pay For Canadian News

Sets rules for deals between big platforms and news outlets. You may see changes to news links, while more money goes to Canadian and local journalism.

Firefighter cancer awareness and prevention framework

The federal government must build a national plan on firefighter cancers within a year, to share facts, suggest screening, and report results. January becomes Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.

Sanctioned People Barred from Entering Canada

Sanctioned people cannot enter or stay in Canada. Appeals are limited and removals are faster; the bar lifts when the sanction ends, and some family members can be blocked too.

New Disability Benefit for Working-Age Canadians

A new federal payment will help working-age people with disabilities. Rules on who qualifies and how much you get will come later, after public input.

Parliament approves $20.5B in midyear funding

It allows the government to spend up to $20.5B this year for health, housing, Indigenous services, security, and bridges. It applies from April 1 to avoid service gaps.

Authorizes $108B federal spending, 2023–24

This law funds federal programs through March 2024. It keeps health, defence, borders, Indigenous services, housing, and infrastructure running; no tax changes.

Tougher Sentences for Pregnant Victim Harm

Judges must consider pregnancy harm at sentencing. Prosecutors can ask for tougher penalties when a victim is pregnant, including for emotional harm.

New Rules Strengthen French Language Rights

People in Quebec can get French service from banks, airlines, and telecoms. Workers in federally regulated firms gain French workplace rights, and Ottawa will set targets for francophone immigration.

Allows Aid Work in Terrorist-Controlled Zones

This lets aid groups work in areas controlled by terrorist groups, with security checks. It still bans helping terrorists.

Canada Bans Child Labour Goods, Requires Reports

Big companies must post yearly plans to prevent forced and child labour in their supply chains. Canada also blocks imports made with child labour.

Streaming Platforms Face Canadian Content Duties

Streaming services must support Canadian shows and make them easier to find. Most user uploads stay outside the rules. CRTC can fine companies that break the rules.

Canada Recognizes Right to Healthy Environment

It updates pollution and product rules nationwide. It adds a right to a healthy environment and stronger checks on toxic chemicals and some drugs.

New privacy rights and AI safety rules

You can ask companies about your data, ask for deletion in some cases, and get breach alerts. High impact AI must manage risks, post plain notices, and faces large fines.

Provinces Could Collect Federal Income Taxes

Ottawa could let provinces collect federal income taxes and send money back. Quebec talks must start within 90 days. A single tax return is possible; worker impacts should be eased.

Year-end $4.7B to keep services running

The bill lets the federal government spend $4.7B to keep existing programs running. It funds defence, health, Indigenous and immigration services; some tax and border funds carry into 2024.

Interim funding keeps federal services running

This lets the federal government spend $89.7B so programs continue early in the year. It prevents service slowdowns while the full budget is set.

Court-Recommended Prison Addiction Treatment Placement

Courts could recommend some federal inmates serve time in addiction treatment areas. CSC must place them soon, and plans must include quick mental health checks and treatment needs.

New Offence: Lying in Identity Checks

It makes lying or hiding facts during required identity checks a crime. You could face big fines or up to 10 years in prison.

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.

Kids' Unhealthy Food Ads Banned

Ads for high sugar, fat, or salt foods aimed at kids under 13 will be banned. What counts and which media are covered will be set in rules later.

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.

Trade Deals Can't Expand Dairy, Poultry, Eggs

It blocks future trade deals from raising quotas or cutting tariffs on dairy, poultry, and eggs. Current prices and rules stay the same.

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.

Federal Offence for Risky Barn Entry

Entering barns without permission, if it could spread disease or toxins, becomes a federal crime. Fines and jail may apply; invited workers and inspectors are allowed.

Canada creates public company owners registry

Federal companies must name who really owns them and keep it updated. Key details go on a public registry, with fines, possible shutdown, and CRA checks to fight money laundering.

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.

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.

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.

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.