Royal Assent for Autism Framework and Funding

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry records that Royal Assent was signified on Thursday, March 30, 2023 for three bills passed by Parliament. The bills include An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder (Bill S-203, chapter 2, 2023) and two appropriation acts that grant money for federal operations for fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

What it does#

• Notes that Standing Order 130 (about notices of intended applications for private bills) was previously published in the Gazette on November 20, 2021.
• Records that Royal Assent was given (by written declaration) on Thursday, March 30, 2023 and lists the acts that received assent:
  • An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder (Bill S-203, chapter 2, 2023).
  • 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).
• Says the Senate and the House of Commons were notified of the written declaration on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Who's affected#

• People with autism and their families or caregivers may be affected by An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder, since it sets a federal framework on that issue.
• Federal departments and agencies are affected by the appropriation acts (the two money bills) because they authorize spending for the federal public administration for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
• The general public may be indirectly affected because appropriation acts allow the government to spend public funds and the autism framework could shape future federal programs or supports.
• If it is unclear how parts of the autism framework will work in practice, that detail is not provided in this Gazette notice.

Why it matters#

• Royal Assent is the final formal step that lets bills become acts of Parliament. Recording it in the Gazette tells the public these laws are now enacted.
• The autism framework act signals a federal-level approach to autism policy, which could influence services, supports, and funding over time.
• The appropriation acts are what allow the federal government to access money and keep programs and services running for the listed fiscal years.