Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (demographic information)
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to give a court the discretion to vary the punishment to be imposed in respect of an offence for which the punishment — or different degrees or kinds of punishment — is prescribed in an enactment.
It allows a court to decide to not make a mandatory prohibition order provided for under a provision of that Act — or to add conditions or vary any of the conditions set out in that provision — if the court considers it just and reasonable to do so. It requires the court to provide its reasons for making such a decision.
It requires a court to consider all available options prior to imposing a minimum punishment of imprisonment or period of parole ineligibility under a provision of any Act of Parliament, and to provide written reasons for imposing a minimum punishment of imprisonment or period of parole ineligibility.
It gives a court discretion in the treatment or counselling program that a person who has been found guilty of an offence may attend and removes the requirement for the Attorney General to give his or her consent in order to delay sentencing under subsection 720(2) of that Act.
It provides that a judge is to take into consideration the recommendation of the jury in setting the period of parole ineligibility for a person who has been found guilty of first or second degree murder.
Bill S-213 proposes to amend the Canada Elections Act to increase transparency around political party candidate selection and demographics. It requires registered political parties that meet certain vote thresholds to publicly share information about their rules, policies, and programs aimed at promoting diversity in candidate selection. This includes details on how they plan to achieve gender parity and address the representation of 'designated groups' (such as women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities).
The bill also directs the Chief Electoral Officer to collect and report on demographic information of candidates, nomination contestants, and leadership contestants. This information, gathered through voluntary self-identification questionnaires, will help the public understand the diversity within political parties and among those seeking elected office. The goal is to encourage greater representation of diverse populations in Canadian politics.
Legislative Timeline
Votes
Yes / No Ratio
How each party voted
| Party | Position | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloc | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Conservative | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Forces et Démocratie | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Green | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| Liberal | Yes | 100% | 0% |
| NDP | Yes | 100% | 0% |