C-353Foreign Hostage Takers Accountability Act
An Act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on September 19, 2023
- Status
- Defeated at committee in the House of Commons
What it does
Lets Canada sanction foreign hostage takers, support families, and change immigration and anti-money-laundering rules.
What it does
- Authorizes the government to restrict dealings with foreign nationals, foreign states, or foreign entities linked to hostage taking or arbitrary detention of Canadians or eligible protected persons outside Canada.
- Allows the government to seize, restrain, and later forfeit property in Canada owned or controlled by those targets, and to use forfeited funds to compensate hostages or detained people, or their estates.
- Requires the foreign affairs minister to give timely information and assistance to families, including advice, support services, and help with communication when appropriate.
- Lets the government create programs, including monetary rewards, to encourage people to provide information that helps secure the release and return of hostages or detained people.
- Adds related rules to money-laundering law and immigration law, including reporting requirements for listed targets and possible immigration relief for people who provide critical information leading to a release.
Who it affects
- Canadian nationals abroad
- Eligible protected persons
- Families of hostages
- Foreign states and entities
- People dealing with blocked property
- People who provide information
Background
It defines arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations as arrest or detention used to force action from, or gain leverage over, a foreign government.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Defeated here. Defeated
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
2nd reading of Bill C-353, An Act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Vote 799,
Passed
173 yeato141 nay · 12 paired
Party breakdown for vote 799 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay3 broke ranks 3 140 12 Conservative Yea 113 0 5 Bloc Yea 30 0 2 NDP Yea 23 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea1 broke ranks 2 1 0 Total 173 141
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· December 1, 2023
“As the debate continues, I look forward to working with the member for Thornhill and all members of the House to strengthen our efforts and our determination to fight against arbitrary detention and hostage takings in state-to-state relations, and I commend the member for Thornhill for introducing this bill.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeMelissa Lantsman· September 19, 2023
“Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-353, an act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (money laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocSimon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay· December 1, 2023
“This is a vitally important measure for protecting the rights of our fellow citizens, but the text of the bill raises some crucial questions and legitimate concerns. ” The minister responsible for enforcing this bill would be the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPHeather McPherson· December 1, 2023
“” While we think these are commendable objectives, New Democrats are very concerned with the methods by which Bill C-353 seeks to achieve these ends. That is why we will be supporting this bill at second reading, but we need some serious study to be undertaken before we can support it at third reading.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.