Bill C-287 · 39th Parliament · Stephen Harper
National Peacekeepers' Day Act
An Act respecting a National Peacekeepers' Day
Private member’s bill. Became law.
- IntroducedDone
- Debated in principleDone
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberNov. 21, 2007
- Passed the second chamberJune 15, 2008
- Became lawJune 18, 2008
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Art EggletonSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Brent St. Denis4 interventions in debateMover thanks colleagues for unanimous support and calls the bill another way to support troops.
- Nancy RuthSenate · SenatorThe bill creates a day to celebrate peacekeepers and peace builders who end fear and create conditions for lasting peace.
- Paul DewarFully supports the bill as an initiative everyone can agree on.
- Betty HintonJoins colleagues in support after committee amendments achieved unanimous backing.
- Ken BoshcoffSeconds the bill and calls it a continuation of strong support for peacekeepers.
- Richard NadeauStates the Bloc Québécois is in favour of the bill for recognizing UN peacekeepers.
- Laurie HawnCommends the member's effort and commitment to establishing the day.
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
That Bill C-287 · 2007-10-24 · Passed
How it changed on the way
73% of the text as introduced was changed or removed by the time it became law (343 words introduced, 348 passed). A committee amended it.
substantial changeintent mostly kept
The bill kept its core purpose of establishing National Peacekeepers’ Day but removed the specific requirement to lower the flag on the Peace Tower each August 9. The preamble was expanded to include diplomats and civilians and changed wording from “missions” to “operations.”
- Expanded the description of participants in peacekeeping.
Before: “with more than one hundred thousand members of the Canadian Forces participating in peacekeeping and peace support missions along with many members of Cana- dian police services;”
After: “with more than one hundred thousand members of the Canadian Forces participating in peacekeeping and peace support operations along with many members of Canadian police services, diplomats and civil- ians;”
- Removed the provision requiring the flag on the Peace Tower to be lowered to half-mast.
Before: “. In each and every year, on the ninth day of August, the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower shall be lowered to half-mast.”
How precisely it is written
preciseChallenging the law: HardDisputing a charge: Hard
The operative sections use a fixed calendar date and a declarative statement with no subjective language or discretion. The Act creates no obligations, prohibitions or regulatory powers.
Clear-cut
“the ninth day of August shall be known as "National Peacekeepers' Day"”
Fixes an exact recurring date with no qualifiers or conditions.
Discretion. No power is delegated to ministers, officials or regulations; the designation is made directly by statute.
Challenging the law itself. The Act imposes no restrictions on conduct and engages no Charter rights, leaving no plausible vagueness or overbreadth claim.
Disputing a charge under it. The provisions are purely declarative and create no offences or duties that could be disputed.
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?
The evidence has not been searched yet.
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.