Three Federal Acts Receive Royal Assent

Summary#

On June 15, 2026, Mr. Kenneth MacKillop, acting as Deputy of the Governor General, gave Royal Assent by written declaration to three bills passed by Parliament. The bills became Acts: An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), and An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing).

What it does#

• Signs off three newly passed federal laws by formal Royal Assent on June 15, 2026.
• An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts (Bill C-8, chapter 9, 2026)
  • Updates rules around cyber security and changes the Telecommunications Act and other laws. The Gazette notice does not list the detailed changes.
• An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures) (Bill S-228, chapter 10, 2026)
  • Changes parts of the Criminal Code that deal with sterilization procedures. The notice does not explain the specific amendments.
• An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing) (Bill C-14, chapter 11, 2026)
  • Adjusts bail and sentencing rules across the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the National Defence Act. The Gazette entry only records that assent was given, not the full text.

Who's affected#

• People and organizations working in telecommunications and cyber security, including internet and telecom service providers.
• People who may be subject to sterilization procedures, and the medical professionals and institutions involved in those procedures.
• People involved in criminal and youth justice cases, defence and prosecution lawyers, judges, and military personnel affected by the National Defence Act changes.
• The general public may notice effects on online safety, privacy, or how certain criminal cases are handled.
• The Gazette notice does not include the full legal texts or implementation details, so it is unclear exactly how broad or specific the impacts will be until the Acts are read in full and any regulations or guidance are published.

Why it matters#

• Royal Assent is the final formal step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. These three matters are now on the statute books as of June 15, 2026.
• Changes to cyber security and the Telecommunications Act could affect how companies protect networks and how users’ online security is regulated.
• Amendments about sterilization procedures could affect medical practice, consent, and criminal liability in sensitive medical situations.
• Changes to bail and sentencing rules can change how people are treated in the justice system, including youth and military cases.
• The Gazette entry is mainly a formal notice. For concrete effects, people should consult the full texts of the Acts and any later regulations or government guidance.