C-345An Act to protect firefighters, paramedics and other first responders
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 19, 2023
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since June 19, 2023
What it does
Amends the Criminal Code to define first responders, make their murder first degree murder, raise aggravated assault penalties, and add a specific assault offence.
What it does
- Creates a Criminal Code definition of first responder, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, and some volunteers.
- Makes the murder of a first responder acting in the course of duties automatically first degree murder.
- Raises the maximum prison term for aggravated assault to 20 years when the complainant is covered by the first responder rule, instead of 14 years in other cases.
- Creates an offence for assaulting a first responder and updates related federal offence lists used for other criminal law rules.
Who it affects
- First responders
- Volunteer first responders
- Paramedics
- Firefighters
- People accused of assault
- People accused of murder
- Courts and prosecutors
- Corrections and parole authorities
Topics
Background
The bill adds a definition of first responder to the Criminal Code. It includes a person employed or formally engaged on a volunteer basis to be among the first on the scene of an accident, fire or other emergency.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
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
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.