S-252An Act to amend the Criminal Code (consent to pornographic material)
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on October 20, 2026
- Status
- At second reading in the Senate since October 20, 2026
- Sponsor
- Yonah MartinSenator
- Senator
What it does
Creates Criminal Code offences for making, sharing, or advertising commercial pornographic material without confirming age and consent, and for not removing it from websites after a request.
What it does
- Defines pornographic material as a visual representation of explicit sexual activity, or of a sexual organ or anal region shown for a sexual purpose.
- Makes it an offence to make pornographic material for commercial purposes without first checking that each person shown is 18 or older and gave express consent.
- Makes it an offence to distribute or advertise this material unless the maker gives written confirmation of age, express consent, and no later written withdrawal of consent.
- Makes website operators remove pornographic material after a written request from the maker or a person shown, and makes knowingly failing to do so an offence.
- Sets penalties of up to $500,000 or 10 years in prison, allows courts to order removal or Internet limits after conviction, and lets regulations set rules for age checks, records, and removal requests.
Who it affects
- People who make pornographic material
- Website operators
- Distributors and advertisers
- People depicted in pornographic material
- Courts and prosecutors
Background
The bill adds new sections 172.11 to 172.14 to the Criminal Code. It also updates seizure, forfeiture, sentencing, and compensation rules to cover this material.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
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 second reading in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 22, 2026.