Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Parliament of Canada Act
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to include a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months for cases of perjury before a House of Parliament. It also amends the Parliament of Canada Act to provide that a House of Parliament may impose a fine on a person who engages in conduct that amounts to contempt of Parliament.
This bill proposes two main changes related to the integrity of Parliament. Firstly, it introduces a mandatory minimum jail sentence of six months for anyone found guilty of perjury (lying under oath) when testifying before the House of Commons or Senate, or their committees. This aims to ensure truthful testimony during parliamentary proceedings.
Secondly, the bill would allow either the House of Commons or the Senate to fine individuals up to $50,000 for contempt of Parliament. This means actions that disrespect or obstruct parliamentary business could now result in a significant financial penalty, enforceable through the Federal Court. These changes directly affect individuals who interact with Parliament and are subject to its rules and proceedings.
Legislative Timeline
Votes
Yes / No Ratio
How each party voted
| Party | Position | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloc | No | 0% | 100% |
| Conservative | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Green | No | 0% | 100% |
| Liberal | No | 0% | 100% |
| NDP | No | 0% | 100% |