Bill S-215 · 40th Parliament · Stephen Harper
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (suicide bombings)
Senate bill. Became law.
- IntroducedMarch 23, 2010
- Debated in principleMarch 30, 2010
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberMay 10, 2010
- Passed the second chamberDec. 2, 2010
- Became lawDec. 14, 2010
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Linda FrumSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Kelly Block5 interventions in debateexpresses the government's support and speaks in support of the bill
- Jim Maloway4 interventions in debateexpresses unanimous all-party support and joins previous speakers in backing the bill
- Joe Comartin3 interventions in debatestates he and his caucus support the bill despite earlier reservations about necessity
- Marlene JenningsShe wants the bill passed quickly by unanimous consent at all stages.
- Paul Szaboadds his voice to the debate and notes consistent agreement it is important
- Jean Dorionstates everyone should vote in favour though notes a language discrepancy
- Brian Murphyspeaks with pleasure to the bill and honors its originator
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
How it changed on the way
54% of the text as introduced was changed or removed by the time it became law (184 words introduced, 198 passed).
moderate changeintent kept
The core legal text adding subsection (1.2) on suicide bombings remained identical from introduction to royal assent. Only header, date, and publication details were altered.
- Session and document number line was removed from the header.
Before: “Third Session, Fortieth Parliament, 3810517—2010-03-15”
- Assent date and bill identifier were added to the header.
After: “ASSENTED TO 15th DECEMBER, 2010 BILL S-215”
How precisely it is written
vagueChallenging the law: EasyDisputing a charge: Moderate
The added clause uses an undefined term and restates an existing definition without adding objective criteria. This leaves the scope open to argument over what counts as a suicide bombing.
Discretion. The Act comes into force only on a day fixed by order of the Governor in Council, leaving timing entirely to the executive.
Challenging the law itself. The undefined term 'suicide bombing' could be challenged under section 7 of the Charter as unconstitutionally vague.
Disputing a charge under it. An accused could argue that the act does not meet the criteria in the referenced paragraphs of the existing terrorist-activity definition.
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.