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Senate Bill

Bill S-224

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 20, 2023
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
  • Summary: This bill, called the S-224 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), was passed by the Senate on October 6, 2022. It amends the Criminal Code to define what exploitation means for the purpose of determining if someone has committed the offence of trafficking in persons. Exploitation includes causing someone to provide labor or a service through the use of force, coercion, deception, fraud, abuse of trust or power, or any similar act. This bill is available on the Senate of Canada's website.
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • The steelman argument in favor of this amendment to the Criminal Code is that it provides clearer and more comprehensive definitions of exploitation in relation to trafficking in persons. By specifying the various elements that constitute exploitation, such as the use or threatened use of force, coercion, deception, fraud, abuse of trust or authority, or any other similar act, this amendment ensures that the law can effectively address a wide range of exploitative behaviors. This clarity in definition allows for better identification, investigation, and prosecution of individuals involved in trafficking in persons. It also provides stronger protection and support for victims by clearly establishing the criteria that need to be met in order to establish the offense of trafficking in persons. Overall, this amendment strengthens the legal framework and response to the serious issue of human trafficking, serving to deter potential offenders

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman Argument Opposing Bill S-224: While the intentions of Bill S-224 may be good, there are concerns about its potential impact on the criminal justice system. One of the main concerns is the broad and subjective definition of exploitation that this amendment introduces. By including the use or threatened use of force or coercion, deception or fraud, abuse of trust, power, or authority, or any other similar act as elements of exploitation, the amendment leaves room for interpretation and may result in over-criminalization. This broad definition may lead to unintended consequences where individuals could be charged and convicted for actions that may not necessarily constitute trafficking in persons. For example, individuals who use deception or fraud to terminate a contract or obtain certain services may fall under the purview of this amendment if their actions could be seen as involving exploitation. Furthermore, the broad defin
Senate Third Reading
  • Sept. 20, 2023, 2 p.m.
  • Passed

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 20, 2023
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
  • Report 15 presented to the House
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 21, 2023
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
  • Wed Jun 21, 2023 04:59 - 05:32PM
  • Read
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 19, 2023
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
  • Mon Jun 19, 2023 04:29 - 05:45PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 07, 2023
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons) Bill C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal …
  • Wed Jun 07, 2023 04:30 - 06:30PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 05, 2023
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Subject Matter of Main Estimates 2023-24 Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)
  • Mon Jun 05, 2023 03:53 - 04:46PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Third Reading
  • March 22, 2023, 1 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House First Reading
  • March 10, 2023, 10 a.m.
  • Passed

Senate Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 14, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), without amendment
  • Third Report

  • The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has the honour to present its

    THIRD REPORT

    Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), has, in obedience to the order of reference of April 28, 2022, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment.

    Respectfully submitted,

    SALMA ATAULLAHJAN

    Chair

  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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Senate Second Reading
  • April 28, 2022, 7:42 p.m.
  • Passed
Senate First Reading
  • Nov. 24, 2021, midnight
  • Passed