C-291An Act to amend the Department of Industry Act (small businesses)
An Act to amend the Department of Industry Act (small businesses)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 17, 2026
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since June 17, 2026
What it does
Requires a small business impact assessment for federal bills and regulations that could significantly affect Canadian small businesses.
What it does
- Adds protecting and promoting small businesses within the Canadian economy as a duty of the Department of Industry.
- Requires the Minister to examine government bills and tabled regulations to see whether they could significantly affect Canadian small businesses.
- Requires the Minister to table a small business impact assessment, and to publish it with a proposed regulation in the Canada Gazette.
- Lets the Governor in Council make regulations about how assessments are done, what they must cover, and how to apply the idea of net positive impact.
Who it affects
- Canadian small businesses
- Ministers of the Crown
- Federal regulators
- Businesses with fewer than 50 employees
Background
It amends the Department of Industry Act. The bill adds a new requirement to review certain legislative initiatives for their effect on small businesses.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
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.
GreenElizabeth May· June 17, 2026
“, seconded by the member for Courtenay—Alberni, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Department of Industry Act (small businesses). She said: Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured today to introduce a private member's bill that seeks to amend the Department of Industry Act with regard to the promotion of small businesses.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.