Social Issues in Canada
Compare recent bills on this issue across different governments.
Canada
View Bills →Stopping Supply to Save Lives Act
The law forces life sentences for supplying tiny amounts of powerful synthetic opioids and bans parole for 25 years. Offences near schools or treatment centres bring harsher punishment.
Status
First reading
Timeline
Appropriation Act No. 2, 2026-27
This law lets federal departments keep running and paying staff through March 31, 2027. It does not change taxes or benefits.
Status
Royal assent
Timeline
Combatting Hate Act
Police can charge hate cases faster. Public Nazi or terrorist symbols are banned, with narrow exceptions, hate-driven crimes get tougher penalties, and access to worship and community sites is protected.
Status
Royal assent
Timeline
Military Justice System Modernization Act
Most military sexual offence cases will go to civilian courts. Victims can choose a court martial and get more support, while justice leaders gain independence and clearer rules.
Status
Royal assent
Timeline
Protecting Victims Act
Creates a new crime for controlling a partner, boosts penalties, and strengthens victim rights. Tightens sex offence rules and forces online services to report child abuse material.
Status
Royal assent
Timeline
Safe Social Media Act
Large social apps and public chatbots must reduce online harm to children and label some AI content. A new regulator can order removals and fine companies.
Status
First reading
Timeline
An Act to amend the Criminal Code
Creates new domestic violence crimes with higher penalties. Treats intimate partner murder as first-degree and tightens arrest, bail, and seized property rules.
Status
Royal assent
Timeline
End Federal Power To Judge Secession
Removes the federal law that sets tests for secession referendums. The government would rely on politics and courts, not a clear rule.
Status
First reading
Timeline
Ontario
View Bills →Fast-Track Housing, Transit, and Water
Creates province-wide rules for transit fares, services, and unified payment. Limits local planning powers, speeds housing approvals, and exempts non-profit retirement homes from development charges.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Public Safety and Adoption Overhaul
Adds new police powers, tightens adoption rules, bans some pill presses, and helps trafficking victims stop debt collections.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Cut Food Sales Tax and Boost Grocery Competition
Removes provincial sales tax on many food and drinks and bans lease rules that block new grocery stores. Shoppers may pay less and see more stores.
Status
Second Reading
Timeline
Vape Retail Crackdown: Age Raised To 21
People under 21 cannot buy or enter vape shops. Most flavours and online sales are banned, and only approved specialty stores may sell vapes.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Province Sets One Ethics Code for Councils
Municipal councils must use the same code. Very serious misconduct that harms someone can lead to removal and a four-year ban.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Student Online Safety and AI Education Act
Creates a committee to add online safety and AI lessons for grades K to 12 students. Schools could restrict social media and chatbots during school, with some exceptions.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Plan to Limit Social Media for Under 16s
Requires the health minister to make and carry out a plan to limit social media use by people under 16. It could lead to age checks or future bans.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Stronger Support and Transparency for Survivors
Police must tell people 16 or older who report sexual assault about free legal advice. Regulators cannot set time limits on therapy and the government must publish yearly progress updates.
Status
Second Reading
Timeline
British Columbia
View Bills →Risk Agreements for Experimental Medicines
Doctors and pharmacists could use listed drugs only if distributors sign risk agreements with the health minister. This may delay access to vaccines, SSRIs, harm-reduction medicines, and gender care.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Half Tax for Under-40s, Big Spending Cut
People under 40 would pay half their provincial income tax. Public services could face deep cuts to meet a required 50% spending cut within five years.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Online Government Services and Data-Sharing Reform
Gives government new power to share your data across online service platforms. Makes more records public and changes how people ask for information.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Annual Government Spending Authorization
Allows the government to pay for public services and approved projects during the year. It does not create new taxes or change program rules.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Close Overdose Sites and Suspend Benefits
It would close provincially funded supervised drug sites, require not using illegal drugs in funded housing, and suspend benefits after drug possession until treatment is done.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Mandatory Funding Transparency for Advocacy Groups
Groups that advocate must publicly report government and foreign funding and post clear website notices. Citizens can ask courts to enforce rules; big fines can apply.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Safe Access Zones for Worship Sites
Places of worship can post signs to create a zone protecting entry and worship. Within the zone you cannot block, intimidate, or pressure people, and police may arrest for breaches.
Status
N/A
Timeline
New Rules for Supportive Housing Tenancies
Supportive housing will get special tenancy rules and faster action when weapons are involved. Operators can limit access and staff entry, and the tenancy branch can approve or change orders.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Alberta
View Bills →Tightening Rules for Medical Assistance in Dying
MAID would be limited to adults expected to die within 12 months and excludes mental-illness-only cases. Some facilities can refuse on-site MAID and a provincial service will approve providers.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Refocus Schools on Academics and Neutrality
Schools will focus on core learning and limit political programming. The anthem will play weekly with written opt-outs, and the province can assume some school properties.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Municipal Reform and Development Acceleration Act
Speeds up development, changes who controls local services and taxes, and sets new rules for libraries, seniors' lodges, and municipal employee pay.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Tougher Animal Care and Enforcement Law
Owners must give animals better care or face big fines and jail. Peace officers can inspect, seize animals, and rehome or euthanize unclaimed animals.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
No-Fault Auto Care and Seniors Reform
Drivers get faster no-fault crash care and limited rights to sue. Seniors get higher benefits, and the province can invest directly in startups.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Omnibus Red-Tape and Time Reform
Clocks stay on UTC-6 all year. It modernizes land records, changes park powers, tenant notice rules, and waste and land-use planning.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Ban Deepfakes and Restrict Citizen Petitions
Makes it illegal to make or share fake political videos and lets officials remove them. Stops citizen initiatives near elections and raises the public pay disclosure threshold.
Status
Third Reading
Timeline
Shielding School, Sport, and Youth Health Rules
Keeps certain school, sport, and youth health rules in force even if they conflict with Charter or human rights. Courts and rights bodies will have limited power to change them.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Québec
View Bills →Constitutional Act of 2025 on Quebec
The project creates a Constitution for Quebec and provides more autonomy from Ottawa. It could change who enforces the laws and how certain real estate is sold.
Status
Étude détaillée en commission
Timeline
Act mainly aimed at better supporting individuals whose mental state may pose a risk to their own safety or that of others.
You can write psychiatric directives. Assessments and temporary holds will be faster, with the right to a lawyer and appeal to a specialized court.
Status
Prise en considération du rapport de commission
Timeline
Act to Strengthen Secularism in Quebec
It imposes limits on religious symbols in certain public places and services. This can affect students, staff, and families who use these services.
Status
Adoption
Timeline
Personal Self-Directed Assistance Act for Persons with Disabilities
You receive a monthly payment to pay for assistants of your choice. The application is made to Retraite Québec and the needs are reassessed every two years.
Status
Présentation
Timeline
Quebec Schools Tighten Secular and French Rules
Students and staff must keep faces uncovered, with few exceptions. Most staff can’t wear religious symbols, schools bar group prayers, more French is required, and teachers face regular reviews.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Act to Protect the Child and Parent Victims of Domestic Violence
The courts prioritize the safety of children. A parent recognized as violent must prove their ability and provide guarantees to obtain custody.
Status
Présentation
Timeline
An Act to Increase Public Confidence in the Justice System by Modernizing Judicial Ethics and Implementing Certain Recommendations of the Judges' Remuneration Committee for the Period 2023-2027
The courts will be better managed and more transparent. Complaints against judges will be clearer, and access to services in French will be strengthened.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Quebec Mandates Discoverable French Content Online
Streaming services and devices must highlight French content and offer easy French settings. A new office will enforce rules, with fines and funds to support French culture.
Status
Adoption
Timeline
Newfoundland and Labrador
View Bills →AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHILDREN'S LAW ACT AND THE FAMILY LAW ACT
Changes custody rules to decision-making, parenting time, and contact. Courts must use only the child's best interests and set clear relocation, safety, and enforcement steps.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
AN ACT RESPECTING THE SENIORS' ADVOCATE
Creates a stronger, independent Seniors' Advocate who can investigate problems and get records. Care homes must forward seniors' requests to the office.
Status
Third Reading
Timeline
AN ACT TO AMEND THE REVENUE ADMINISTRATION ACT
Sugary drinks will cost less because the sugary drink tax is removed. Stores and makers no longer collect or report this tax.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
AN ACT RESPECTING THE DISABILITY ADVOCATE
Creates an independent office to help people with disabilities get service problems investigated and fixed. It can receive complaints, investigate, mediate with consent, and issue public recommendations.
Status
Second Reading
Timeline
Manitoba
View Bills →The Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Amendment Act
Lets people sue when intimate images are shared or threatened. Judges can order removal, deletion, removal from search, and consider victims' wishes; platforms are shielded if they act.
Status
N/A
Timeline
The Mental Health Amendment Act
More health workers can do urgent mental-health assessments. Some exams and hearings can happen by phone or video, which may reduce wait times and travel.
Status
N/A
Timeline
The Public Schools Amendment and Manitoba School Boards Association Amendment Act
School codes must cover bullying, online and AI content and explain responses and appeals. Superintendents need set qualifications and Indigenous groups can join the school boards association.
Status
N/A
Timeline
The Constitutional Questions Amendment Act
If government uses the notwithstanding clause, it must ask the top court to say which rights are affected and whether limits are justified. The law still applies.
Status
Concurrence and 3rd Reading
Timeline
The Consumer Protection Amendment Act
Buyers can request parts, tools, manuals, and diagnostic software for certain products. Sellers must provide them within a set or reasonable time and give free digital manuals.
Status
Concurrence and 3rd Reading
Timeline
The Intimate Partner Violence Death Review Committee Act
Creates a private committee to study deaths from intimate partner violence and make safety recommendations. Reports are anonymized and start after court cases finish.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
The Highway Traffic Amendment Act
Beginners and many drivers must have zero alcohol and no drugs. Police can test at roadside, suspend licences longer, tow vehicles, and impose long no-alcohol periods.
Status
Concurrence and 3rd Reading
Timeline
The Improving Access to Breast Cancer Screening Act
This bill requires clear rules to identify people at higher breast cancer risk and expands access to mammograms, with yearly public reporting and outreach to underserved communities.
Status
Concurrence and 3rd Reading
Timeline
Nova Scotia
View Bills →Modern Access and Privacy Law
You can request government records and correct your personal data. Government must protect data, notify serious breaches, and keep most personal information in Canada.
Status
Commencement
Timeline
Financial Measures (2026) Act
An Act Respecting Certain Financial and other Government Measures
Status
Reported to the House
Timeline
Unified Child Care System, $10-A-Day Goal
Families use one online account to join a common waitlist and get offers from licensed centres. The province funds the system to aim for $10 daily fees.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Annual Well-Being Budget and Reports
The government must publish a yearly budget that shows how spending affects health, education and fairness. Reports will be plain language, with data by region and group.
Status
First Reading
Timeline
Strong Privacy Law and Free Credit Freezes
Creates a private right to sue for privacy invasions and lets people place free credit freezes. Businesses must secure and delete data or face heavy fines.
Status
Second Reading Debates
Timeline
Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Sharing
People can get court orders to stop sharing real or fake intimate images. Sharers must try to remove images if consent is withdrawn.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Partner Risk Disclosure and Safety Act
People can ask police if a current or former partner has a violent past. The law widens domestic violence definitions and requires training, risk checks, and privacy safeguards.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Restrict Social Media Use for Under-16s
Social media companies must stop children under 16 from using the apps covered by the law. Accounts can be blocked and users may face new age checks.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Saskatchewan
View Bills →Hold Drug Traffickers Financially Accountable
The law lets government and people sue drug traffickers to recover health and social costs. It can also cancel some public jobs, grants, and contracts for recent convictions.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Defamation Law for the Digital Age
You must give 14 days' written notice before suing for defamation. Courts can order removal or hiding from search engines of harmful online posts.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Municipal Transparency and Governance Reform
Lets you find municipal finances, minutes and bylaws online. Changes tax, assessment, animal safety, and council rules affecting residents and property owners.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Rapid Treatment Orders for High-Risk Addiction
Police or health workers can take adults with severe substance problems for quick assessment. A board or judge can order short inpatient stays or community treatment with legal review.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Associate Judges to Speed Family Cases
Creates associate judges to hear more civil and family cases and free up judges. They have set pay, rules, and a public complaint process.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Tightening Lobbying and Gift Rules
Lobbyists must file monthly logs listing contacts, topics, and attendees. Organizations must reveal political donations and public officials cannot accept gifts.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Preserve and Share Child Welfare Records
Requires the minister to preserve records about Indigenous children and the Sixties Scoop. It favors sharing those records and requires written reasons if requests are refused.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Modern Name Change Rules, Stricter Eligibility
Lets people use single names and longer family names but limits who can apply. Permanent residents and citizens qualify; police and other agencies may be told about changes.
Status
Royal Assent
Timeline
Northwest Territories
View Bills →Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act
Officials can order people to leave rental units linked to illegal activity and end tenancies. Innocent tenants may get help, but failure to obey can mean fines or jail.
Status
2nd Reading
Timeline
Prevention of Proceedings that Hamper Expression on Matters of Public Interest Act
Lets people sued over public-issue speech ask a judge to dismiss the case early. The lawsuit pauses while the judge decides and dismissed cases can trigger higher costs.
Status
2nd Reading
Timeline
Missing Persons Act
Police can get records or enter places quickly to find missing people. Emergency demands and limited public updates are allowed, with some privacy safeguards and fines for misuse.
Status
3rd Reading
Timeline
An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act
Replaces old custody terms, sets equal starting rights for parents, adds move notice rules, stronger enforcement, and a service to recalculate child support.
Status
3rd Reading
Timeline
An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act
Updates birth, death and name records. Lets more parents be listed, allows changing or removing sex markers, and lets some nurses certify deaths.
Status
2nd Reading
Timeline
An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act
People can get protection and sue for stalking, including online tracking. Police can share a suspected stalker's identity when privacy rules allow.
Status
3rd Reading
Timeline
An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, No. 2
Sets fair hiring, conduct, and whistleblower rules for public servants and gives new appeals and equal-pay processes.
Status
2nd Reading
Timeline
An Act to Amend the Family Law Act
Updates parenting terms, defaults child support recalculation unless opted out, limits arbitration to Canadian law, and recognizes some foreign polygamous marriages.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Yukon
View Bills →United States
View Bills →Transgender Bill of Rights Resolution
House resolution urging a federal Transgender Bill of Rights to protect transgender and nonbinary people’s access to health care, safety, IDs, housing, and employment.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Task Force on Anti-Sikh Hate
Proposes a DOJ task force to define anti-Sikh hate, educate enforcement and schools, and publish annual hate-incident reports.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Excise Tax on Male Participation in Female Sports
Imposes a 10% excise tax on non-state colleges that allow males to compete in female athletic teams; bans passing the tax through to tuition.
Status
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Timeline
Child Marriage Prevention Act
Sets up a federal commission, state task forces, immigration limits, and grants to study and reduce marriages under age 18.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Community Mental Wellness Training Grants Act
Creates a grant program to train community based mental health workers and expand non clinical support, improving access to early help.
Status
N/A
Timeline
National Commission to Combat Child Marriage
Establishes a national commission to study child marriage, funds state task forces, offers grants to raise minimum ages, limits marriages on federal lands, and tightens visa rules.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Public housing modernization
Aimed at upgrading housing infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities for residents of subsidized housing, with details on funding and rules currently unavailable.
Status
N/A
Timeline
National Airborne Day
Designates August 16, 2025, to honor U.S. airborne forces and calls for public observance.
Status
N/A
Timeline
Toronto
View Bills →Protect Housing, Parks, and City Funding
The city wants the province to keep fees that fund parks, homes, and services. Cuts could mean fewer affordable homes and less money for parks and roads.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
Protect and Reopen Hanlan's Point Beach
City staff must open and make Hanlan's Point Beach safe by June 1 and plan shoreline repairs. You may see better access, some construction, or temporary closures.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
Fairer Rules for Park Encampment Clearings
City will give clearer notices, a contact person, and on-site health supports during park encampment clearings. Residents get more engagement and a public complaints process.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
City Property Tax and Fee Changes
Higher property taxes, hotel taxes and some user fees raise money for transit, housing and services. Most households will pay more on taxes, water and waste bills.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
Mid-Rise Redevelopment: Parkland and Tenant Protections
Adds towers, retail and a new public park. Protects existing renters for 20 years and funds tenant upgrades.
Status
N/A
Timeline
City Declares Gender-Based Violence Epidemic
The city calls gender-based and intimate partner violence an epidemic and asks higher governments to act. There are no immediate law changes but this may bring more programs and supports.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
Housing Oversight Unit Added to Ombudsman
Creates a housing unit inside the city's Ombudsman to review housing programs and shelters. It will investigate broad problems and report recommendations to City Council.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline
Council Selects Police Board Member
The council will choose one public member to fill a police oversight board seat. This keeps the board full to oversee police budget, hires, and reforms.
Status
Adopted by City Council
Timeline