S-224An Act to amend the Director of Public Prosecutions Act
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on June 3, 2025
- Status
- In committee in the Senate since June 11, 2026
- Sponsor
- Mary Jane McCallumSenator
- Senator
What it does
Gives the Director of Public Prosecutions responsibility to prosecute some offences under First Nation laws, unless the First Nation has its own prosecutor or an agreement in place.
What it does
- Adds definitions of “First Nation” and “First Nation law” to the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, including certain bands, land management First Nations, and self-government First Nations.
- Requires the Director of Public Prosecutions to start and conduct prosecutions for summary conviction offences under First Nation laws, plus related appeals and other proceedings, on behalf of the First Nation.
- Creates an exception where the Director does not act if the First Nation has appointed or kept a prosecutor, or has an agreement with a provincial or territorial government for those prosecutions.
- Updates the Act’s definition of “prosecution” to account for these First Nation law cases.
Who it affects
- First Nations
- First Nation governments
- Director of Public Prosecutions
- Provincial and territorial governments
- Prosecutors
Background
The bill amends the Director of Public Prosecutions Act. It adds new rules for prosecutions under First Nation laws.
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.