Emergency Student Benefit Act receives assent

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice records two short items from the House of Commons. It reminds readers about a rule on private-bill notices and says that An Act respecting Canada emergency student benefits (coronavirus disease 2019) (Bill C-15, chapter 7, 2020) received Royal Assent on May 1, 2020.

What it does#

• Reminds that Standing Order 130 (rules about notices of intended applications for private bills) was published earlier and gives contact details for the Private Members’ Business Office, House of Commons for anyone who needs more information.
• Records that on May 1, 2020 the Governor General signified assent by written declaration under the Royal Assent Act, S.C. 2002, c. 15. Both the Senate and the House of Commons were notified that day.
• Lists the bill that received assent: An Act respecting Canada emergency student benefits (coronavirus disease 2019) (Bill C-15, chapter 7, 2020).

Who's affected#

• People enrolled in or recently graduated from post-secondary programs who were targeted by the federal student emergency program are the main group affected by Bill C-15 and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit.
• Individuals or groups planning to apply for a private bill in Parliament will be affected by the notice about Standing Order 130 and may need the contact information given.
• If it is unclear whether you qualify for the student benefit, the Gazette item does not give details on eligibility or amounts.

Why it matters#

• The Royal Assent entry means the federal law creating the emergency student benefit moved past Parliament and received formal assent on May 1, 2020 — a key step for the government to put that support into effect.
• The private-bill notice is mainly a procedural reminder, but it matters for anyone seeking special relief or changes through a private bill, because it points to where to get guidance and how to start that process.