C-405An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Parliament of Canada Act
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 14, 2024
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since June 14, 2024
What it does
Sets a six-month minimum jail term for perjury before Parliament and lets a House of Parliament fine people for contempt.
What it does
- Sets a minimum punishment of six months in prison for perjury before a House of Parliament or one of its committees, while keeping the maximum at 14 years.
- Allows the Senate or the House of Commons to order a fine of up to $50,000 for conduct that the House finds to be contempt of Parliament.
- Makes a contempt fine enforceable in Federal Court once a certified copy of the order is filed there.
- Provides that recovery of the fine is not affected by prorogation or dissolution of Parliament.
- States that evidence under section 12 of the Parliament of Canada Act is admissible against the witness in proceedings under that section.
Who it affects
- People who lie to Parliament
- Witnesses before House committees
- People found in contempt of Parliament
- The Senate and House of Commons
- Federal Court
Background
Section 132 of the Criminal Code already makes perjury an indictable offence. The bill also adds a new fine process to the Parliament of Canada Act.
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: At second reading in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.