C-281

Details

Full Title

An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Broadcasting Act and the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act

First Reading

June 13, 2022, Parliament 44, Session 1

Type

Private Member’s Bill

Full Content

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-281

Summary

Bill C-281, also known as the International Human Rights Act, makes changes to several existing Canadian laws. It amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to require the Minister of Foreign Affairs to publish a yearly report on international human rights efforts. This report must include information about actions taken to support human rights, a list of prisoners of conscience (people jailed for their beliefs), and communication with their families. The Minister can choose not to include certain information if it's in the prisoner's best interest or to advance human rights.

The bill also changes the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law). Now, if a parliamentary committee suggests sanctions against a foreign national, the Minister of Foreign Affairs must respond, explaining whether or not sanctions were imposed and why. This response must be public.

Furthermore, the bill amends the Broadcasting Act. It stops the government from giving or renewing broadcasting licenses to companies that could be easily influenced by a foreign person or group that has committed genocide (the killing of a large group of people) or is sanctioned under certain laws.

Finally, Bill C-281 updates the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act. It now stops people from investing in companies that have broken certain rules related to cluster munitions (bombs that release smaller bombs). There is a one-year grace period for existing investments.

Issues

This bill was not summarized into specific issues.