Royal Assent: Autism Framework and Appropriations

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry records that on March 30, 2023 Royal Assent was given to three bills. Those bills include An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder (Bill S-203, chapter 2, 2023) and two spending Acts: Bill C-43 (chapter 3, 2023) and Bill C-44 (chapter 4, 2023). The page also notes a prior publication about Standing Order 130 related to private bills.

What it does#

• Records that Royal Assent was signified by written declaration under the Royal Assent Act, and that both the Senate and the House of Commons were notified on March 30, 2023.
• Lists the three Acts that received assent:
  • An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder (Bill S-203, chapter 2, 2023) — title only; the Gazette notice does not describe the law’s specific measures.
  • An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 (Bill C-43, chapter 3, 2023).
  • An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (Bill C-44, chapter 4, 2023).
• Notes that a standing-order notice (about Standing Order 130) relating to private bills was previously published (on November 20, 2021) and gives a contact for the Private Members’ Business Office.

Who's affected#

• People and families concerned with autism spectrum disorder — because the federal framework Act is now an Act in name; the Gazette entry does not give its details or what new services or changes it creates.
• Federal departments, public servants, contractors, and anyone who receives federal programs or payments — because Bill C-43 and Bill C-44 are appropriation Acts that authorize government spending for the named fiscal years (ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024).
• Members of Parliament and people watching private-bill procedures — the notice about Standing Order 130 is relevant to how private bills are handled.

Why it matters#

• Royal Assent means these bills have completed the parliamentary process and are recorded as Acts. That usually allows the federal government to put the measures and spending they contain into effect.
• The autism framework Act could shape federal priorities or supports for people with autism, but the Gazette summary here does not explain what the framework requires.
• The two appropriation Acts let the government legally spend money for federal operations in the named fiscal years. That affects how programs are funded and how government payrolls and contracts are paid.