C-275An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on May 30, 2022
- Status
- At third reading in the Senate since December 3, 2024
What it does
Creates a new offence for entering animal buildings or bringing in animals or things in ways that could expose animals to disease or toxic substances.
What it does
- Creates an offence under the Health of Animals Act for entering a building or other enclosed place where animals are kept, without lawful authority or excuse, if that could expose the animals to disease or a toxic substance.
- Creates an offence for taking an animal or thing into such a place if that could reasonably be expected to expose the animals to disease or a toxic substance.
- Sets penalties for individuals who break the new rule, up to a $25,000 fine or 3 months in jail on summary conviction, or up to a $100,000 fine or 1 year in jail on indictment.
- Sets penalties for other persons who break the new rule, up to a $100,000 fine on summary conviction or up to a $500,000 fine on indictment.
Who it affects
- Farm owners and operators
- People entering animal facilities
- Workers around animals
- Businesses dealing with animals
Background
The bill amends the Health of Animals Act. It adds a new section that is carved out from the Act’s general offence rule.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Current stage. Now here
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
Vote 461,
Passed
278 yeato36 nay · 10 paired
Party breakdown for vote 461 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea13 broke ranks 133 13 12 Conservative Yea 112 0 5 Bloc Yea 30 0 2 NDP Nay 0 21 4 Green Nay 0 2 0 Independent Yea 3 0 0 Total 278 36 2nd reading of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
Vote 393,
Passed
313 yeato3 nay · 4 paired
Party breakdown for vote 393 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea1 broke ranks 145 1 10 Conservative Yea 112 0 3 Bloc Yea 30 0 2 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Nay 0 2 0 Independent Yea 3 0 0 Total 313 3
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalFrancis Drouin· May 1, 2023
“As previously indicated, this bill was drafted in response to individuals and groups entering private property such as farms. The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to a democratic society.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeJohn Barlow· May 1, 2023
“Bill C-275 proposes to make it an offence to enter, without lawful authority or excuse, a place in which animals are kept if doing so could result in the exposure of animals to disease or toxic substance capable of affecting or contaminating those animals.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocYves Perron· May 1, 2023
“This bill seeks to eliminate the growing problem of trespassing. I would like every member of the House to take a few minutes to think about what trespassing means.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPAlistair MacGregor· May 1, 2023
“I am pleased to be standing in the House to give my remarks with respect to Bill C-275, an act to amend the Health of Animals Act, biosecurity on farms. This was introduced by the member for Foothills.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At third reading in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.