Three federal bills receive Royal Assent

Summary#

On December 15, 2023, the Deputy of the Governor General, Right Honourable Richard Wagner, gave Royal Assent to three bills listed by Parliament. The bills became acts covering changes to tax and competition law, firearms-related laws, and a supply (spending) act for the federal government’s 2023–24 fiscal year.

What it does#

• An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act (Bill C-56, chapter 31, 2023) — the Canada Gazette entry records that this bill received Royal Assent. The Gazette notice does not list the detailed changes inside the bills.
• An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms) (Bill C-21, chapter 32, 2023) — recorded as having received Royal Assent; the Gazette notice gives only the title.
• An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (Bill C-60, chapter 33, 2023) — a supply/appropriation act that authorizes government spending for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
• The Canada Gazette item also notes that Standing Order 130 (about notices for private bills) was published earlier on November 20, 2021, and gives contact details for the Private Members’ Business Office, House of Commons for anyone seeking more information about private bills.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses affected by tax or competition rules may be affected by Bill C-56, but the Gazette notice does not describe the specific changes.
• Gun owners, firearms businesses, and organizations involved in firearms regulation may be affected by Bill C-21; again, the notice lists only the title.
• Federal departments, public employees, and recipients of government programs can be affected by Bill C-60, since it provides spending authority for the federal public administration through March 31, 2024.
• Individuals or groups interested in introducing private bills or tracking them may use the Private Members’ Business Office, House of Commons contact information provided in the notice.

Why it matters#

• Royal Assent means these bills were finalized on December 15, 2023, so their changes can now take effect according to each act’s provisions. The Gazette item itself does not give the full text or details of how the laws will change rights, obligations, or enforcement.
• The supply act (Bill C-60) keeps federal programs and operations funded through the current fiscal year, which affects services and pay for many public activities.
• The tax/competition and firearms acts could have practical impacts on prices, business rules, gun ownership, and enforcement — but you need the full bills or departmental summaries to know the exact effects. The Gazette notice mainly records the formal step of Royal Assent and points to office contacts for private-bill procedures.