Bill C-28 · 41th Parliament · Stephen Harper
Financial Literacy Leader Act
An Act to amend the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act
Government bill. Became law.
- IntroducedNov. 30, 2011
- Debated in principleJune 20, 2012
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberNov. 28, 2012
- Passed the second chamberFeb. 25, 2013
- Became lawMarch 26, 2013
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
- Ghislain MaltaisSenate · Sponsor in the Senate
- Kevin Lamoureuxstates the bill takes us forward after concerns addressed at committee
- Brian JeanCalls the bill important and compares it to picking a coach first for a team.
- Scott SimmsStates the financial literacy leader position is necessary in current times.
- Ted MenziesMoves the bill at third reading and describes it as a key part of improving financial literacy.
- Shelly GloverShe calls the bill a wonderful opportunity and straightforward legislation that will protect consumers.
- Lois BrownExpresses pleasure at debating the legislation and highlights its benefits for Canadians.
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.
What it set out to do
On 30 November 2011, the Minister of Finance introduced Bill C-28, An Act to amend the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (Financial Literacy Leader Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-28 amends the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act to create the position of Financial Literacy Leader within the Agency. The Leader is to be appointed by the Governor in Council to exercise leadership at the national level to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians. The amendments also provide for the other powers, duties, and functions of the Financial Literacy Leader.
Summary by the Library of Parliament.
Where members stand
That this question be now put. · 2012-06-20 · Passed
How it changed on the way
63% of the text as introduced was changed or removed by the time it became law (1,811 words introduced, 1,350 passed).
minor changeintent mostly kept
The bill passed with its core provisions on creating the Financial Literacy Leader position unchanged in substance. Minor textual edits appeared only in the coordinating amendment and formal headers.
- Coordinating amendment phrasing was altered slightly.
Before: “both section 220 of that Act and section 5 of this Act are in force”
After: “both Bill S-5 section 220 of that Act and section 5 of this Act are in force”
How precisely it is written
vagueChallenging the law: HardDisputing a charge: Hard
The Act creates the Financial Literacy Leader role with broad authority defined by subjective judgment rather than fixed criteria. Core powers rest on what the Leader or Minister considers necessary or appropriate, leaving wide room for interpretation.
Open to argument
“He or she may carry on any activity that he or she considers necessary in furtherance of that purpose”
Replaces objective limits with the Leader's personal view of necessity.“The Financial Literacy Leader shall exercise leadership at the national level to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians”
Uses undefined term 'leadership' and open-ended goal without measurable boundaries.
Clear-cut
“The Financial Literacy Leader holds office during pleasure for a term of not more than five years”
Fixes maximum term length and removal condition in clear numerical and legal terms.“no person may be so appointed for a term of more than 90 days without the approval of the Governor in Council”
Sets exact day limit and requires specific approval for extension.
Discretion. Extensive discretion is granted to the Leader to decide activities, to the Minister to issue directions based on opinion, and to the Governor in Council to set remuneration and approve acting appointments.
Challenging the law itself. The statute creates an internal agency office and spending authority rather than imposing criminal or regulatory prohibitions that directly engage Charter rights.
Disputing a charge under it. The provisions mainly authorize government actions and assessments; they do not create offences or duties whose breach individuals could readily litigate.
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.