Bill S-6 · 45th Parliament · Mark Carney
Federal Law–Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 4
A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law
Government bill. Still before Parliament.
- IntroducedFeb. 23, 2026
- Debated in principleApril 16, 2026
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberJune 17, 2026
- Passed the second chamberNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Mark CarneyPrime Minister
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
The Library of Parliament does not prepare legislative summaries for bills that are self-explanatory. The following is a short summary: On 24 February 2026, Sen. Pierre Moreau introduced Bill S-6, A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law (Federal Law–Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 4) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-6 is the fourth in a series of enactments drafted in the course of the harmonization of federal statutes by the Department of Justice of Canada as a result of the coming into force of the Civil Code of Québec in 1994, which substantially changed the concepts, institutions and terminology of civil law. It amends 51 statutes, including the Acts governing financial institutions — the Bank Act, the Cooperative Credit Associations Act, the Insurance Companies Act and the Trust and Loan Companies Act — and other Acts including the Access to Information Act, the Financial Administration Act, the Interpretation Act and the Official Languages Act, in order to ensure that each language version takes into accoun…
Summary by the Library of Parliament.
Where members stand
Votes and debate for this bill have not been read yet.
How it changed on the way
Only laws are compared, introduced against passed.
How precisely it is written
mostly preciseChallenging the law: HardDisputing a charge: Moderate
The bill adds civil-law equivalents and specific time limits to existing definitions, making coverage clearer in bilingual contexts. A few phrases still rely on reasonableness or opinion standards that invite argument.
Open to argument
“to the extent that they are reasonably able to do so”
Uses a subjective reasonableness test rather than an objective checklist.“in the auditor’s or auditors’ opinion, necessary”
Leaves the scope of required records to the auditor’s subjective judgment.“in good faith, including observance of reasonable commercial standards”
Combines a broad good-faith standard with an undefined commercial-reasonableness test.
Clear-cut
“The time specified must not be more than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays and holidays, before the meeting”
Fixes an exact, calculable deadline.“dated not earlier than sixty days before the day a security is presented for transfer”
Supplies a clear numerical cutoff for court orders.“within thirty days after the date of mailing of the notice”
Provides an objective period for response before registration occurs.
Discretion. No new discretionary powers are granted to ministers or officials; changes are limited to definitional updates and procedural time limits.
Challenging the law itself. The amendments are technical harmonization of terms and do not create new offences or restrictions that would readily engage Charter vagueness or overbreadth claims.
Disputing a charge under it. Defendants could dispute application of 'reasonably able' or 'reasonable commercial standards' language, though the added defined terms reduce overall room for argument.
Read by a language model from the as introduced text; every quoted phrase appears in the bill. A reading of the drafting, not legal advice.
Did it work?
Only laws in force for two years or more are checked.
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.