S-251An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call to action number 6)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on June 16, 2022
- Status
- In committee in the Senate since June 13, 2023
- Sponsor
- Stanley KutcherSenator
- Senator
What it does
Repeals the Criminal Code rule that allows parents, teachers and caregivers to use reasonable force to correct a child.
What it does
- Repeals section 43 of the Criminal Code, which now says schoolteachers, parents and people standing in the place of a parent may use reasonable force by way of correction toward a child or pupil.
- Casts off the legal defence that section 43 gives for that kind of force.
- Comes into force on the 30th day after royal assent.
Who it affects
- Parents
- Schoolteachers
- Caregivers
- Children and pupils
- Courts and police
Background
The bill says it responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 6. Section 43 of the Criminal Code now sets out a defence for reasonable force used by way of correction.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Current stage. Now here
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
House of Commons
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
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
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.