Free Party Canada Deregistered; Bills Receive Royal Assent

Summary#

The Gazette item records a few parliamentary formalities and an election-office action. It notes that several bills received royal assent on December 12, 2024 and December 17, 2024, and that Free Party Canada is deregistered effective December 31, 2024.

What it does#

• Notes the publication of Standing Order 130 related to notices for private bills and points to the Private Members’ Business Office, House of Commons for more information.
• Records royal assent given by written declaration (under the Royal Assent Act, S.C. 2002, c. 15) on December 12, 2024 to:
  • An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (deemed trust — perishable fruits and vegetables) (Bill C-280, chapter 31, 2024)
  • An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability) (Bill C-78, chapter 32, 2024)
• Records royal assent given by written declaration on December 17, 2024 to:
  • An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews) (Bill C-40, chapter 33, 2024)
  • An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (Bill C-79, chapter 34, 2024)
• Announces that, because it failed to meet requirements under sections 413 and 415 of the Canada Elections Act, Free Party Canada is deregistered effective December 31, 2024. This notice was issued by Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer.

Who's affected#

• Members, supporters and organizers of Free Party Canada — deregistration removes the party’s official status under the Canada Elections Act.
• People and businesses involved with perishable fruits and vegetables may be affected by the changes in Bill C-280 (the act named above).
• People who would benefit from temporary cost-of-living measures may be affected by Bill C-78.
• People involved in miscarriage-of-justice cases, and the justice system more broadly, may be affected by Bill C-40.
• Federal departments and programs are affected by Bill C-79, which relates to government funding for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.
• If it is unclear exactly who is affected by a specific bill from the Gazette text, that uncertainty is noted here — the Gazette item lists the acts but does not spell out detailed impacts.

Why it matters#

• Royal assent entries mean those bills have completed Parliament’s legislative steps and are now acts; that can change rules, funding, or rights once they take effect.
• Deregistration of Free Party Canada changes that party’s legal and electoral status. That can affect its ability to raise money, run candidates under the party name, or appear on ballots.
• The items are mostly formal notices, but the laws named (on insolvency, affordability, justice reviews, and government funding) can have real effects on businesses, individuals, and public programs.