S-209Pandemic Day Act
An Act respecting Pandemic Observance Day
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on November 24, 2021
- Status
- Became law on April 30, 2024 · S.C. 2024, c. 7
- Sponsor
- Marie-Françoise MégieSenator
- Senator
What it does
Designates March 11 each year as Pandemic Observance Day across Canada.
What it does
- Designates March 11 in each year as “Pandemic Observance Day” throughout Canada.
- Sets the short title as the Pandemic Day Act.
Who it affects
- All Canadians
- Federal institutions
Background
The bill says March 11 is to be known each year as Pandemic Observance Day throughout Canada.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
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-209, An Act respecting Pandemic Observance Day
Vote 740,
Passed
198 yeato116 nay · 2 paired
Party breakdown for vote 740 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 142 0 14 Conservative Nay 0 115 3 Bloc Yea 29 0 3 NDP Yea 24 0 0 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Split evenly 1 1 1 Total 198 116 2nd reading of Bill S-209, An Act respecting Pandemic Observance Day
Vote 269,
Passed
208 yeato114 nay · 4 paired
Party breakdown for vote 269 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 151 0 6 Conservative Nay 0 114 1 Bloc Yea 29 0 3 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 2 0 0 Total 208 114
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalHedy Fry· October 17, 2022
“It is my honour to move and speak to the bill on pandemic observance day. It was moved in the Senate by the hon. Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie, and was adopted by the Senate on May 12.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeStephen Ellis· October 17, 2022
“I think one of the important things is to understand that I do not think we need a pandemic observation day, observance day or any other day to remember the pandemic. How could we possibly forget the pandemic?”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocYves Perron· October 17, 2022
“I thank my colleagues for their co-operation. As I was saying, this day already exists.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPNiki Ashton· October 17, 2022
“I am honoured to rise today to debate Bill S-209, an act respecting pandemic observance day, proposed by the hon. member for Vancouver Centre, which would designate March 11 of each year as pandemic observance day to give Canadians an opportunity to commemorate the efforts to get through the pandemic, remember its effects and reflect on ways to prepare for any future pandemics.”
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.