S-11Federal 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, introduced in the Senate on October 26, 2022
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since February 7, 2023
- Sponsor
- Marc GoldSenator
- Senator
What it does
Harmonizes federal laws with Quebec civil law and updates related rules for banks, property, information, evidence, and several other statutes.
What it does
- Rewrites the main federal financial institution laws to add Quebec civil law terms, update definitions, change proxy rules, and revise rules for transfers, lending, leasing, and holding certain roles.
- Updates many federal laws to use civil law and common law terms in both language versions, including rules on immovables, hypothecs, fiduciaries, mandataries, and related-party contracts.
- Changes access to information, privacy, official languages, and disclosure laws to expand good-faith protection for certain commissioners and to cover more property transactions.
- Updates other laws on evidence, Crown property, food and product enforcement, dry docks subsidies, escheats, human rights, conflict of interest, and cultural property redeterminations.
Who it affects
- Banks and trust companies
- Credit unions and insurers
- Federal departments and agencies
- Commissioners and investigators
- Employers and regulated businesses
- Museums and property managers
Background
This is the fourth bill in a series linked to the Civil Code of Québec, which came into force in 1994. It amends 52 statutes.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to 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.