S-202An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on November 24, 2021
- Status
- Became law on June 20, 2024 · S.C. 2024, c. 9
- Sponsor
- Patricia BoveySenator
- Senator
What it does
Creates a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate to promote the arts through Parliament and fixes an English-language reference in the Parliament of Canada Act.
What it does
- Creates the office of Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate as an officer of the Library of Parliament.
- Sets the selection process, the two Speakers choose the laureate from a confidential list of three names, with the holder’s primary official language alternating.
- Limits the term to up to two years and lets the Speakers remove the holder at will.
- Gives the laureate a mandate to promote the arts through Parliament, including awareness, enjoyment and development of the arts, and to create art, sponsor events and advise on the Library’s collection.
- Corrects the English version of the Parliament of Canada Act so the selection rule for the Parliamentary Poet Laureate refers properly to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Who it affects
- Library of Parliament
- Members of Parliament
- Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons
- Artists and arts groups
- Parliamentary Poet Laureate
- Arts and cultural institutions
Background
The bill adds a new section to the Parliament of Canada Act. It also amends the English version of the Act’s rule for choosing the Parliamentary Poet Laureate.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Skipped. Skipped
Third reading
Completed.
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Completed.
Introduced by a senator. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the House of Commons, where an MP must agree to sponsor it. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
3rd reading and adoption of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
Vote 642,
Passed
210 yeato115 nay · 2 paired
Party breakdown for vote 642 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 151 0 5 Conservative Nay 0 114 3 Bloc Yea 32 0 0 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea1 broke ranks 2 1 0 Total 210 115 Concurrence at report stage of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
Vote 624,
Passed
210 yeato113 nay · 2 paired
Party breakdown for vote 624 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 152 0 5 Conservative Nay1 broke ranks 1 112 4 Bloc Yea 29 0 3 NDP Yea 25 0 0 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Split evenly 1 1 1 Total 210 113 2nd reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)
Vote 354,
Passed
209 yeato114 nay · 2 paired
Party breakdown for vote 354 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 149 0 7 Conservative Nay 0 114 1 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 3 0 0 Total 209 114
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalJohn Aldag· March 31, 2023
“It is a great honour to rise today in the House to speak to Bill S-202, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to create a parliamentary visual artist laureate. This bill was first introduced and passed through the Senate by my good friend Senator Patricia Bovey.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeKevin Waugh· March 31, 2023
“It is interesting that Bill S-202 does not refer to it, because when another creative bill was being studied, it was all about limiting the freedom of expression. With regard to this legislation, Bill S-202, I will remain optimistic and open-minded.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocChristine Normandin· March 31, 2023
“As to the precarious situation of artists, I think the beauty of the bill is that it sends a message to artists. I only hope that it will not be the only one and that arts funding will never be a partisan issue in the House, although that might just be wishful thinking.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPLori Idlout· March 31, 2023
“Uqaqtittiji, I am happy to rise today representing Nunavummiut on the importance of Bill S-202, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act, sponsored by the member of Parliament for Bow River in Alberta. The bill proposes to create a position called the parliamentary visual artist laureate.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Royal assent received. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.