Royal Assent for Pandemic Day and Reconciliation Council

Summary#

The Canada Gazette reports that Royal Assent was given on April 30, 2024 to two bills, listed as chapters 7 and 8 of 2024: An Act respecting Pandemic Observance Day (Bill S-209, chapter 7, 2024) and An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation (Bill C-29, chapter 8, 2024). The notice also points to a previously published item about Standing Order 130 and gives contact details for the Private Members’ Business Office.

What it does#

• Records that Her Excellency the Governor General signified Royal Assent on April 30, 2024 by written declaration under the Royal Assent Act, S.C. 2002, c. 15.
• Lists the two specific Acts that received assent:
  • An Act respecting Pandemic Observance Day (Bill S-209, chapter 7, 2024)
  • An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation (Bill C-29, chapter 8, 2024)
• Notes that both the Senate and the House of Commons were notified of the declaration on April 30, 2024.
• Mentions that Standing Order 130 (about notices for private bills) was published earlier (November 20, 2021) and provides a contact: Private Members’ Business Office, House of Commons, West Block, Room 314‑C, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6, tel. 613‑992‑9511. The notice is signed by Eric Janse (Clerk of the House of Commons) and Gérald Lafrenière (Clerk of the Senate).

Who's affected#

• The Gazette notice itself does not describe the contents or details of the two Acts, so it is unclear exactly who will be affected.
• Based on the bill titles, people and groups interested in a national pandemic remembrance and those involved in reconciliation work are the most likely to notice or be affected.
• Parliamentary staff, private members who track private bill procedures, and anyone following new federal Acts will also be interested.

Why it matters#

• Royal Assent is the final formal step for a bill to become an Act of Parliament. These two measures are now recorded as chapters 7 and 8 of 2024.
• In practice, the Acts could create a national commemorative day and set up a national council on reconciliation, but the Gazette entry does not give details about what the laws will require or how they will be put into practice.
• If you want to know the exact legal effects or next steps (implementation, timelines, funding, or responsibilities), the Gazette notice does not provide that information — you would need to look up the full text of each Act or follow up with the departments or offices responsible.