Bill C-61 · 39th Parliament · Stephen Harper
An Act to amend the Geneva Conventions Act, An Act to incorporate the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Trade-marks Act
Government bill. Became law.
- IntroducedJune 8, 2007
- Debated in principleJune 13, 2007
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberJune 13, 2007
- Passed the second chamberJune 20, 2007
- Became lawJune 22, 2007
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Stephen HarperPrime Minister
- Janis G. JohnsonSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Yoine GoldsteinSenate · SenatorPraises the bill for enabling ratification of the Third Protocol, resolving Israel's exclusion, and enhancing the Red Cross movement's universality and neutrality.
- Eymard G. CorbinSenate · SenatorStates that everything has been said well on the subject and the Senate can now proceed to the vote.
Who carries this bill
Arrows run from the person responsible to those who answer to them on this bill. The critic leads the Senate’s scrutiny and answers to no one on it.
Where members stand
Votes and debate for this bill have not been read yet.
How it changed on the way
35% of the text as introduced was changed or removed by the time it became law (3,213 words introduced, 2,845 passed).
moderate changeintent mostly kept
The bill passed with the same core amendments to add Protocol III and protect the Red Crystal emblem. Minor wording and numbering adjustments were made during final drafting.
How precisely it is written
mixedChallenging the law: ModerateDisputing a charge: Moderate
The bill uses exact descriptions of emblems, fixed fine ranges, and a clear prior-use exception, but relies on subjective phrases that invite argument over what counts as misuse. This mix of bright-line rules and open standards produces moderate precision overall.
Open to argument
“any other word, mark, device or thing likely to be mistaken for anything mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c)”
The phrase 'likely to be mistaken' introduces a subjective visual-similarity test that requires case-by-case judgment.“No person shall fraudulently represent himself or herself”
The term 'fraudulently' imports an intent standard that is not further defined in the text.
Clear-cut
“a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $500, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, for each offence”
Numeric limits and per-offence structure create a clear penalty range.“the third Protocol emblem — commonly known as the "Red Crystal" — referred to in Article 2, paragraph 2 of Schedule VII to the Geneva Conventions Act and composed of a red frame in the shape of a square on edge on a white ground”
The emblem is defined by exact technical description and cross-reference.
Discretion. Authorization decisions rest with the Canadian Red Cross Society and the coming-into-force date is left to the Governor in Council by order.
Challenging the law itself. Broad prohibitions on use of emblems and words could be challenged under Charter s. 2(b) freedom of expression for overbreadth or vagueness.
Disputing a charge under it. Accused persons could readily dispute whether a mark is 'likely to be mistaken' or whether use was 'fraudulent' given the undefined subjective standards.
Read by a language model from the royal assent text; every quoted phrase appears in the bill. A reading of the drafting, not legal advice.
Did it work?
no evaluation found
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.