S-223An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on November 24, 2021
- Status
- Became law on December 15, 2022 · S.C. 2022, c. 18
- Sponsor
- Salma AtaullahjanSenator
- Senator
What it does
Creates new Criminal Code offences for trafficking in human organs and makes related conduct a ground of inadmissibility under immigration law.
What it does
- Creates offences for obtaining, removing, helping remove, or acting in connection with removing an organ when informed consent was not given, if the person knew or was without regard to whether consent was given.
- Creates an offence for obtaining, participating in, or facilitating the obtaining of an organ for transplant when the person knew it was obtained for consideration, or was without regard to whether it was obtained for consideration.
- Sets the punishment for either offence as an indictable offence with up to 14 years in prison.
- Treats certain acts done outside Canada as if they were done in Canada when committed by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, if the conduct would be an offence under the new organ trafficking section.
- Requires the Attorney General’s consent before proceedings are started for certain acts deemed to have been committed in Canada.
- Makes a permanent resident or foreign national inadmissible to Canada if the minister believes they engaged in conduct that would be an offence under the new organ trafficking section.
Who it affects
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents
- Foreign nationals
- People involved in organ transplants
- Immigration applicants
- Prosecutors
Background
The bill amends the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. It adds a new Criminal Code section on trafficking in human organs.
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-223, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)
Vote 245,
Passed
324 yeato0 nay
Party breakdown for vote 245 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 152 0 5 Conservative Yea 113 0 5 Bloc Yea 32 0 0 NDP Yea 24 0 1 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 1 0 1 Total 324 0 2nd reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)
Vote 98,
Passed
318 yeato0 nay · 6 paired
Party breakdown for vote 98 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 148 0 11 Conservative Yea 112 0 7 Bloc Yea 30 0 2 NDP Yea 25 0 0 Green Yea 2 0 0 Independent Yea 1 0 0 Total 318 0
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalSameer Zuberi· December 5, 2022
“This Senate bill, Bill S-223, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), is a critical piece of legislation that would help us address a grave and serious human rights concern.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeGarnett Genuis· May 13, 2022
“Now that the collapse of debate on this bill at this stage is secure, let me take a few moments to say a few thanks to all of those who have been involved in moving this important bill forward at this stage. Of course, it is very important to start by recognizing the incredible life and legacy of David Kilgour.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocKristina Michaud· December 5, 2022
“It is always a pleasure to address the House, and I am glad to be here to talk about Bill S-223 today. I love it when there is consensus in the House and all parties, no matter their political leanings, agree on an issue.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPAlistair MacGregor· December 5, 2022
“It is a real honour to be able to rise today to speak to Bill S-223. Before I get into my remarks, it is important to recognize the two individuals who have been working diligently over the years to shepherd this bill through Parliament, starting in the other place, with Senator Ataullahjan, and here, the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.”
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.