S-233An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on September 23, 2025
- Status
- In committee in the House of Commons since May 27, 2026
- Sponsor
- Leo HousakosSenator
- Senator
What it does
Requires courts to treat assaults on health service providers and first responders as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
What it does
- Adds a Criminal Code rule that courts must consider when sentencing for certain assault offences.
- Requires judges to treat it as an aggravating circumstance if the victim was a person who provides health services, including personal care services, or a first responder doing their job.
Who it affects
- Health service providers
- Personal care workers
- First responders
- People sentenced for assault
Topics
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Skipped. Skipped
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 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
2nd reading of Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders)
Vote 127,
Passed
332 yeato0 nay · 8 paired
Party breakdown for vote 127 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 168 0 6 Conservative Yea 138 0 2 Bloc Yea 20 0 2 NDP Yea 5 0 0 Green Yea 1 0 0 Independent Did not vote 0 0 1 Total 332 0
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalKevin Lamoureux· February 4, 2026
“As such, my appeal to members opposite is to recognize what the introducer of this particular bill has talked about, but to also do a comparison between Bill S-233 and Bill C-14. We would find that Bill C-14 would even go further than Bill S-233 in dealing with and supporting first responders.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeTodd Doherty· October 29, 2025
“I am honoured to rise today to introduce Bill S-233, an act to amend the Criminal Code for assault against persons who provide health services and first responders. I would be remiss if I did not thank my hon. colleague from Oshawa for seconding this bill and also my great friend and colleague from Barrie South—Innisfil, who was a firefighter for over 30 years.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocClaude DeBellefeuille· February 4, 2026
“I am very pleased to rise to speak to Bill S-233. However, before I begin my speech, I want to draw attention to this tartan I am wearing, which is is certified and registered in Scotland.”
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.