Bill C-555 · 41th Parliament · Stephen Harper
An Act respecting the Marine Mammal Regulations (seal fishery observation licence)
Private member’s bill. Became law.
- IntroducedNov. 27, 2013
- Debated in principleMay 28, 2014
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberFeb. 17, 2015
- Passed the second chamberJune 15, 2015
- Became lawJune 17, 2015
Where members stand
Votes and debate for this bill have not been read yet.
How it changed on the way
59% of the text as introduced was changed or removed by the time it became law (302 words introduced, 290 passed).
minor changeintent kept
The bill passed with only formal updates for royal assent and no changes to its substantive provisions on seal fishery observation distances. Headers and numbering were adjusted to reflect the final statute format.
- Header updated with royal assent details and chapter number.
Before: “Second Session, Forty-first Parliament, 62 Elizabeth II, 2013 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-555”
After: “Second Session, Forty-first Parliament, 62-63-64 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014-2015 STATUTES OF CANADA 2015 CHAPTER 28”
How precisely it is written
mostly preciseChallenging the law: ModerateDisputing a charge: Moderate
The bill mandates specific regulatory changes within an exact 60-day window and replaces the approach rule with a fixed one-nautical-mile distance plus objective conviction-based criteria. A few phrases still leave room for argument over intent or activity.
Open to argument
“has a stated aim of disrupting the seal fishery”
This hinges on an applicant's declared purpose, which is subjective and invites disputes over what counts as a stated aim.
Clear-cut
“Within 60 days after this Act comes into force”
Fixes a clear deadline and removes timing discretion.“approach within one nautical mile”
Supplies a measurable numerical distance rather than a flexible standard.“convicted, in the five years preceding the application”
Uses a definite time period and verifiable court outcome.
Discretion. The Minister keeps authority to issue or deny seal fishery observation licences, while the Governor in Council is directed to enact the listed amendments but may still shape related regulatory details.
Challenging the law itself. The fixed-distance prohibition could be attacked as overbroad under section 2(b) Charter (expression) because it sweeps in observers without individualized justification.
Disputing a charge under it. An accused could argue over whether their conduct constituted 'approach' or whether the target was actively 'fishing for seals' at the precise moment.
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.