C-219Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act
An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Special Economic Measures Act and the Broadcasting Act
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on September 16, 2025
- Status
- Awaiting first reading in the Senate since October 8, 2026
What it does
Requires yearly human rights reports and broadens Canada’s sanctions laws to cover transnational repression, with new tabling, forfeiture and penalty rules.
What it does
- Requires the foreign affairs minister to publish, at least once each year, a report on measures Canada has taken to advance human rights and support prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders abroad. The first report is due within 12 months.
- Adds transnational repression as conduct that can trigger sanctions under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, and lets sanctions apply to foreign nationals who undermine international peace, security or stability.
- Adds transnational repression to the Special Economic Measures Act, and updates its purpose to cover gross human rights violations, significant corruption, and threats to international peace, security or stability.
- Requires copies of orders or regulations under both sanctions laws to be tabled in Parliament, and raises the summary conviction penalties under both laws to fines up to $100,000, prison up to three years, or both.
- Requires the minister to apply for forfeiture of private property seized or restrained under certain sanctions orders within 24 months, and to dispose of forfeited property within 30 days, unless related court cases are ongoing.
- Renames the Special Economic Measures Act and updates related references in other Acts and regulations.
Who it affects
- Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Parliament
- Human rights defenders
- Prisoners of conscience
- Foreign nationals subject to sanctions
- People facing transnational repression
Background
The bill amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act and the Special Economic Measures Act.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Senate
First reading
Current stage. Now here
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not 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.
LiberalRob Oliphant· November 26, 2025
“I am honoured today to speak to Canada's active efforts to advance human rights; combat corruption, including through the use of sanctions; and continue to explore the possibilities of the bill. Canada is committed to upholding the legacy left by Sergei Magnitsky in establishing a global framework to combat corruption and human rights violations.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeJames Bezan· September 16, 2025
“Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-219, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Special Economic Measures Act and the Broadcasting Act. It is indeed an honour to table this bill.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocAlexis Brunelle-Duceppe· November 26, 2025
“I say this because, while the bill before us today incorporates several aspects of Bill C‑281, some elements are quite different. Bill C-219 was introduced by our Conservative colleague from Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: House of Commons bill awaiting first reading in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.