S-6An Act respecting regulatory modernization
Government bill, introduced in the Senate on March 31, 2022
- Status
- In committee in the House of Commons since June 19, 2024
- Sponsor
- Marc GoldSenator
- Senator
What it does
Updates many federal rules by changing notices, approvals, permits and reporting across business, agriculture, wildlife, immigration and transport laws.
What it does
- Replaces some newspaper and Gazette publication rules with other notice methods, and lets some bankrupt people get a discharge certificate when certain oppositions are withdrawn.
- Lets ministers or regulators approve temporary use of some unapproved devices, set extra conditions on approvals and permits, and use interim orders in several food, animal health and transport laws.
- Renames corporate annual returns as annual update statements for federal corporations, co-operatives and not-for-profit corporations.
- Updates agricultural marketing, feed, fertiliser, seed and animal health rules, including rules for releasing novel supplements, seeds and veterinary biologics, and lets the CFIA use electronic administration and enforcement.
- Changes wildlife trade and species-at-risk rules, including the removal of some Schedule 3 species after COSEWIC assessment and new timelines for recovery and management plans.
- Modernizes Canada Lands Surveyors complaints and discipline processes, creates an offence for breaking fisheries licence conditions, and allows new information-sharing rules for immigration and customs.
Who it affects
- Bankrupt individuals
- Federal corporations and co-operatives
- Agricultural producers and boards
- Feed, fertiliser and seed businesses
- Fishers and fisheries licence holders
- Canada Lands Surveyors
- Immigrants and immigration applicants
- Importers, exporters and transport companies
Background
The bill amends many Acts as part of the Regulatory Modernization Initiative. The drafters say it is meant to remove barriers to innovation and economic growth.
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
Current stage. Now here
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
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalGreg Fergus· May 3, 2023
“I am very pleased to add my voice to the debate on Bill S-6, an act respecting regulatory modernization. Regulations are the book of rules that govern how businesses operate and that protect consumers, the environment, our health and our safety.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeStephanie Kusie· May 3, 2023
“Of course, as the shadow minister for the Treasury Board, I am responsible for critiquing this bill and overseeing the debate for the official opposition this evening, and it is a pleasure to do so.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocGabriel Ste-Marie· May 3, 2023
“Bill S-6 helps ensure that the regulatory environment evolves in step with technologies and takes into account the realities of businesses. That is a very good thing, even though it is a bit late.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPBlake Desjarlais· May 3, 2023
“Today I am honoured to rise to speak to Bill S-6. I want to thank the previous speaker for highlighting many of the areas that are contemplated in this bill.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caGreenElizabeth May· May 3, 2023
“Tonight, we are looking at Bill S-6, which would not be cutting regulations; it is about modernizing regulations. We missed some opportunities where we could have improved various aspects of Canadian society by actually cutting some regulations and streamlining some other regulations.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.