Private-bill Notice Rules and Election Returns

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry in the Parliament section republishes the rules for how private-bill applications must be advertised under Standing Order 130 and records that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer published the Return of members elected at the 45th general election on May 14, 2025, May 15, 2025, and May 16, 2025. In practice, it reminds applicants how to give public notice for private bills and confirms when election-return notices were published.

What it does#

• Publishes the text of Standing Order 130, which sets out how notices for private bills must be made public. Key points in that text:
  • Notices must be published in the Canada Gazette and, in many cases, in a local or leading newspaper.
  • Notices must state the nature and object of the proposed bill, include the name and address of the person signing the notice, and, for incorporations, the proposed company name.
  • If proposed works are to be declared for the general advantage of Canada, that intention must be stated.
  • Applicants must send a copy by registered letter to the clerk of affected counties/municipalities and to the provincial secretary. The letter must arrive not later than two weeks before committee consideration.
  • Publication must be at least once a week for four consecutive weeks.
  • Where applicable, notices must appear in both official languages in Quebec and Manitoba, and in both languages in the Canada Gazette.
• Notes that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer published the Return of members elected at the 45th general election as Extra Vol. 159, No. 9 on May 14, 2025, No. 10 on May 15, 2025, and No. 11 on May 16, 2025.

Who's affected#

• People or organizations planning to apply to Parliament for a private bill (for example, groups seeking incorporation by an act of Parliament).
• Local governments, counties and municipalities that might be affected by proposed works or projects mentioned in private-bill notices.
• Newspapers and clerks who handle the required postings and registered letters.
• Anyone tracking the official publication of election results: newly elected MPs, political parties, journalists and researchers.

If it’s unclear whether a specific project must follow these steps, the notice points readers to the Private Members’ Business Office for more information.

Why it matters#

• It tells applicants exactly how to warn the public and local authorities about private-bill plans. That makes it easier for affected communities to learn about proposals and raise concerns.
• It creates an official, dated record that the results (the returns) from the 45th general election were published on the listed dates. This helps with transparency and public record-keeping.
• Overall, the entry is mainly administrative: it doesn’t itself change law but records and repeats rules and official publications that people and organizations must follow.