SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Bill

Bill C-324

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 09, 2023
An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act
  • This bill, called Bill C-324, is an amendment to the Special Economic Measures Act in Canada. The purpose of this amendment is to change the long title of the Act to "An Act to provide for the imposition of economic measures against a person, an entity or a foreign state for grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights violations or acts of significant corruption." The short title of the Act will also be changed to the "Sergei Magnitsky Global Sanctions Act." This amendment also replaces references to the "Special Economic Measures Act" with the "Sergei Magnitsky Global Sanctions Act" in other related Acts and regulations. The bill was introduced on March 9, 2023, and is available on the House of Commons website for more information.
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • One steelman argument in favor of amending the Special Economic Measures Act to become the Sergei Magnitsky Global Sanctions Act is that it strengthens Canada’s ability to uphold international peace and security, protect human rights, and combat corruption on a global scale. By changing the long title of the Act to include the imposition of economic measures against those who commit grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights violations, or acts of significant corruption, the amendment expands the scope of the Act to address serious global issues. The use of economic measures, such as sanctions, can be a powerful tool to hold individuals, entities, and foreign states accountable for their actions and deter future misconduct. The amendment also updates other Acts and regulations to align with the new title, ensuring consistency and clarity in Canada's legal framework. This change demonstrates Can

SteelmanSpren Against

  • A steelman argument opposing this amendment to the Special Economic Measures Act is that it may lead to political manipulation and misuse of economic sanctions. While the intention of the amendment is to target individuals or entities involved in grave breaches of international peace and security, human rights violations, or corruption, there is a risk that the criteria for imposing economic measures may become subjective or influenced by political agendas. This could result in unfair targeting of certain individuals or countries based on biased or partisan interests, rather than evidence-based assessments. Such misuse of economic sanctions undermines the principles of justice and fairness, and may harm innocent individuals or hinder diplomatic efforts. Additionally, the broad scope of the amendment, which allows for the imposition of economic measures against a "person, an entity, or a foreign state," without clear and specific criteri
House First Reading
  • March 9, 2023, 10 a.m.
  • Passed
House Second Reading
  • March 9, 2023, 10 a.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read