Details
- Full Title
- An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code
- First Reading
- November 26, 2021, Parliament 44, Session 1
- Type
- House Government Bill
- Full Content
- https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-3
Summary
Bill C-3 makes changes to both the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code.
Regarding the Criminal Code, the bill creates new offenses related to intimidating people seeking or providing health services. It also makes it a crime to block access to places where health services are provided. Additionally, the bill adds new factors that could increase the severity of sentencing for offenses related to health services.
As for the Canada Labour Code, the bill changes the rules about leave from work. It extends the time an employee can take off work if a child dies. It also allows employees to take leave if they experience a stillbirth. The bill also replaces the existing personal leave with paid medical leave, allowing employees to earn up to 10 days of paid medical leave per year. The government can also make specific regulation changes regarding medical leave.
Sections 1 to 5 of the bill, which pertain to changes to the Criminal Code, will come into force 30 days after the bill receives royal assent. Sections 6, 6.1, and 7, which pertain to changes to the Canada Labour Code, will come into force on a day to be determined by the Governor in Council.
Issues
Social Services
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Healthcare
Bill C-3 aims to protect access to healthcare services by creating new offenses in the Criminal Code. It makes it illegal to intimidate people seeking or providing health services, or to obstruct access to healthcare facilities. The bill also adds the provision of and access to health services as aggravating factors in sentencing for other crimes. These measures are intended to ensure that healthcare professionals can do their jobs and that individuals can access the care they need without fear of intimidation or obstruction. The bill also provides for paid sick leave under the Canada Labour Code.
Social Justice
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Reproductive Rights
The bill creates offenses for anyone intimidating a person to impede access to healthcare services. As such, this bill would apply to reproductive services.
Security and Defense
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Crime
Bill C-3 creates new offenses in the Criminal Code related to intimidating people seeking or providing health services, and obstructing access to healthcare facilities. It also adds new aggravating factors for sentencing related to crimes against those providing or seeking healthcare.