“I want the sponsor of the bill to explain why one change is important. That change requires the minister of foreign affairs to report each year on how Canada protects human rights around the world.”

“Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague on all the work he has done. He sponsored this bill. I will be delivering my remarks on the bill shortly. I do want to ask my colleague if he could maybe share a bit about the impact of some of the amendments that were brought, one of which would introduce a new requirement for the minister of foreign affairs to report annually on Canada’s efforts to advance human rights internationally. How is this important to the bill?”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes our sanctions laws stronger against cybercrime and foreign repression, increases penalties, and requires yearly reports on our work to protect human rights around the world.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to speak to Bill C-219, the Sergei Magnitsky international anti-corruption and human rights act. I would like to thank the hon. member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman for bringing this legislation forward. It was very helpful to have more of the context and the story behind why he has been pushing forward this bill. Bill C-219 reflects core values that Canada has always represented. These values are represented in the institutions we have built as a country, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The charter was introduced under a Liberal government and reflects our nationwide commitment to fundamental freedoms, equality, democratic rights and the rule of law. These values do not stop at our borders. They also shape how we engage internationally. When we speak out against human rights abuses or take action against corruption and repression abroad, we do so because these are the core values that Canadians believe in. Bill C-219 would build on these principles by strengthening Canada’s ability to better respond to international human rights challenges and violations while also continuing to uphold the humanitarian principles that define us. Bill C-219 proposes amendments to three laws: the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act; the Special Economic Measures Act; and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act. The amendments would strengthen Canada’s sanctions and update human rights frameworks. These amendments would occur in the following ways. Firstly, the bill would amend the DFATD Act to require the minister to report annually on human rights efforts, including efforts to secure the release of human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience. The bill would also amend the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act to lower the threshold for the use of sanctions to be inclusive of emerging threats like transnational repression and cybercrime. It would also provide for increased penalties, establish clear timelines and rename Canada’s existing sanctions legislation to commemorate Sergei Magnitsky. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development also made important amendments to further strengthen the bill. The reporting provisions were amended to take into consideration the complex situation that prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders are in, while still making sure the government is accountable in publishing an annual report on these activities. The committee also adopted a broadened trigger related to conduct that undermines peace, stability and democracy, allowing the government to sanction individuals for a wide range of activities including cybercrime, organized crime, arbitrary detention and other forms of transnational misconduct. These changes recognize that threats to human rights increasingly cross borders. Canada must be equipped to respond to evolving challenges. The amendments would also ensure that the seizure of private assets of sanctioned individuals follows a clear legislative process and timeline while ensuring that due process is respected. These changes would also increase and align evasion penalties to provide greater consistency through a Canada sanctions framework. The work on this bill shows what we can achieve when parliamentarians work productively together. The committee spent weeks working collaboratively to strengthen the legislation by removing provisions that could have created unnecessary burdens, hindered the government’s ability to adapt sanctions or potentially put human rights defenders at risk. This is a strong example of how multipartisan efforts can make Canada stronger, both here at home and abroad. Bill C-219 would make important changes to modernize Canada’s sanctions regime. These measures would increase accountability by requiring the government to publish an annual report on efforts to advance human rights. In recent months, our country has been having important discussions about how Canada can strengthen its role on the stage as a middle power. As Prime Minister Mark Carney has noted, middle powers like Canada are not powerless in the face of global uncertainty. By working with like-minded partners— An hon. member: Oh, oh!”

“I support this bill. Canada must defend human rights while doing business around the world. This bill makes it easier to punish corrupt foreign officials and people who abuse human rights.”

“Madam Speaker, by working with like-minded partners, we can help uphold human rights, defend democracy and strengthen the rules-based international order. On the world stage, our government has been working hard on strengthening our international relationships and trade. We have advanced engagement with Vietnam, India, the Philippines and ASEAN partners, among others. We are on track to doubling Canada’s preferential global market access from 1.5 billion to three billion consumers in the next six months. Canada’s role as a middle power is about more than trade. It is also about working with partners to defend human rights, uphold the rule of law and respond to those who threaten peace, security and democratic institutions. Trade cannot come at the expense of workers, whether in Canada or in our partner countries. Supporting labour rights and workers’ rights helps ensure that Canadian trade is not built on exploitation or sweatshop conditions. We must also take corruption seriously. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, weakens economic development, distorts markets and erodes public trust. Canada has rightly recognized the strategic importance of regions such as the Indo-Pacific, and we do not need to wait for countries to achieve perfect democratic outcomes before building strong bilateral relationships. Engagement allows Canada to strengthen economic ties, deepen people-to-people connections and create opportunities for co-operation on shared challenges. We know we cannot meaningfully engage in international trade and strengthen Canada’s presence on the world stage without also standing up for the most vulnerable in places where their rights are neglected. I often hear from constituents in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront about their concerns regarding international human rights abuses. As one of Canada’s most diverse communities, Spadina—Harbourfront is home to people with roots in every corner of the world. Many remain closely connected to family, friends and communities abroad. I have had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of constituents, many of whom have been very clear with me about the importance of democratic institutions, human rights and fundamental freedoms. These conversations remind me that human rights cannot be held as abstract concepts. The consequences of political repression, arbitrary detention, corruption and democratic backsliding are felt by real people in real time. Canadians expect their elected officials to stand up for the human rights and dignity of all people. They also expect our government to take urgent action. Our government continues to defend human rights through targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for gross human rights violations. Since 2022, Canada has sanctioned nearly 4,000 entities or vessels. In total, over 5,000 individuals and entities have been designated by Canada across its autonomous sanctions regime. Our government remains committed to playing a leadership role in preserving and strengthening the international rules-based order. As Canadians, we are proud of our commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These values are reflected in our charter, our institutions and the way we engage with the world. Human rights are not only Canadian values but universal values. Sanctions are one means of ensuring accountability when individuals engage in serious human rights abuses. Bill C-219 recognizes that these threats continue to evolve and that Canada’s legislative framework evolves alongside them. At its core, this bill is about accountability and ensuring that people responsible for serious human rights abuses and corruption face consequences for their actions. Bill C-219 would strengthen our ability to meet that significant responsibility and lead us toward a more secure and just world. Canada must stand up when rights and freedoms are under threat. For that reason, I am pleased to support this legislation.”

“I support this bill. The committee improved it so Canada can punish foreign officials who abuse human rights, while still protecting the safety of activists overseas.”

“Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to this private member’s bill, Bill C-219, an act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act; the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, Sergei Magnitsky Law; and the Special Economic Measures Act, which will also be known as the Sergei Magnitsky Law No. 2. I want to begin by again acknowledging the member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman for his leadership in introducing and championing this bill. For generations, countries around the world have regarded Canada as a global leader in the protection of human rights and the promotion of democratic values. Bill C‑219 will introduce significant reforms to increase transparency and modernize Canada’s sanctions regime so that it reflects the challenges we face today. This all-party effort will improve Canada’s ability to hold those who violate human rights to account. I was encouraged by the constructive discussions that took place on Bill C-219 at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. As a committee, we worked together to adopt several amendments to strengthen the bill, improving the effectiveness and flexibility of its key elements while mitigating risks and unintended consequences. I will focus my remarks today on these key improvements. First, we brought greater coherence to how the Minister of Foreign Affairs should report on the government’s efforts. Bill C-219 proposes amendments to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act that introduce a new requirement for the minister to report annually on Canada’s efforts to advance human rights internationally. We welcome this requirement as an important step to demonstrate how Canada is promoting and protecting human rights, but how we report is important. It is essential to protect the safety and privacy of human rights activists. Canada’s approach to supporting human rights activists is guided by the do no harm principle. In its original form, the bill required the report to include a detailed list of the names and circumstances of the prisoners of conscience whom Canada was trying to help. Many witnesses told the committee that publishing such a list could have serious consequences, including causing undue harm to detainees or having unintended consequences on the delivery of consular services to Canadians. Instead, the report would now protect those most vulnerable, and it would outline more broadly the measures taken by the government to support human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience internationally as part of Canada’s foreign policy. Second, to honour the life and work of Sergei Magnitsky, the committee agreed to rename Canada’s existing sanctions laws. This would make Canada the first country to have Sergei Magnitsky laws with a total of three in the franchise: the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, the first Sergei Magnitsky law; SEMA, Sergei Magnitsky Law No. 2; and Bill C-219, Sergei Magnitsky Law No. 3. Third, Bill C-219 seeks to expand and clarify the circumstances under which sanctions may be imposed, including in response to transnational repression. Committee amendments were adopted to further strengthen and expand Canada’s legal basis for sanctions. We have adopted not only a criterion for imposing sanctions in cases of transnational repression but also a broader criterion related to threats to peace, stability and democracy. This will enable the government to impose sanctions on those responsible for a wide variety of transnational crimes, including cybercrime, organized crime, arbitrary detention, threats to democracy and so on. Fourth, Bill C-219 imposes mandatory timelines for the forfeiture and disposal of property seized under existing laws. Fifth, we have increased and aligned evasion penalties, to be consistent throughout our existing legislation. Finally, the committee removed elements of the bill in order to increase its effectiveness, reduce red tape and ensure the overall coherence of Canadian legislation. Simply put, these problematic provisions would not have improved Canada’s ability to respond to human rights abuses. In a world of growing uncertainty, Canada’s core values continue to guide our government’s foreign policy. We will always work to hold anyone to account who violates human rights, democracy or the rule of law. In closing, I want to thank the member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman and my colleagues on the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development once again for the cross-party work that has made Bill C-219 a solid piece of legislation. By working together, we reaffirm Canada’s leadership on human rights and send a clear message: Canada will never stand idly by or keep silent when confronted with attacks against human dignity. By working together, we will continue to make sure that Canada can serve as a beacon in an uncertain world. Our government will continue to add to Canada’s human rights legacy and will honour the sacrifices that have been made in fights against tyranny and oppression. I look forward to seeing Bill C-219 implemented.”

“I support this bill. It lets Canada punish foreign officials who harass and intimidate people living here. Sanctions stop human rights abusers, and this bill makes our laws stronger.”

“Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to speak in support of Bill C‑219. I also want to thank the member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman for introducing this bill, as well as the members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development for their work. We are here today to talk, first off, about a new and important update around the sanctions regime. At the same time, we are honouring an important figure in world history, Sergei Magnitsky, who was a brave soul and brave person who stood up to tyrants, who stood up to those who were abusing rights. He gave his life for that at the age of 37. We know that he was imprisoned and suffered grave mistreatment. Even after he died at 37 years of age, he was tried, the reasons for which just boggle the mind. The man had already lost his life and he was tried after the fact. We are honouring Sergei Magnitsky, an important individual in world history. While thinking about his name, we can take his example and remember what he did. He challenged authority, he challenged injustice and he stood strong. That is what I would suggest we in this House all need to do. This bill is an improvement from one that was previously deposited in a previous Parliament, and a number of fixes have come about. Before I get to that, though, it is important to note that 60% of the sanctions that Canada has implemented have manifested within the last four years. These sanctions have touched on a number of different themes and different subjects. They include sanctions against Russian officials due to the unjustified occupation and war in Ukraine. They include sanctions against Chinese officials for what is happening within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. They include sanctions against West Bank settlers because of activities in the State of Palestine, West Bank. They include sanctions against the IRGC and Russian officials because of what the IRGC has done to its own people. There are others. These sanctions are an important signal to those who break international norms and abuse human rights and are a deterring mechanism so that anybody who abuses basic dignity and promotes grave violations knows they will face consequences. Canada has always stood up for human rights. Within the international community, we are looked upon as a leading voice and are looked upon as a country that promotes the rules-based order. Therefore, this update put forth by the member opposite is an important update and is salutary. It is important to note the people who have been working here in Canada and overseas on this. At the subcommittee on international human rights, we did a study on a particular aspect that relates to this legislation: transnational repression. We heard from a number of witnesses who themselves had been subject to transnational repression or were advocating on behalf of those who had been subject to transnational repression. They included Tibetans. They included Falun Gong and Falun Dafa advocates. They included Uyghurs. They included Hong Kongers, and others. We heard from those who have suffered repression from Iran’s government and Russia, just to name a few countries. All of those brave souls spoke about the different methods of transnational repression. They spoke about how they and their families were harassed and intimidated and how that happened both online and off-line, and said that anonymous people during important moments sought to intimidate and silence them. These people chose not to be silenced, though, like Sergei Magnitsky. They have shared how challenging it is to be working in an environment where there is transnational repression and how important it is for us, as a country, to confront it, respond to it and address it. There are a number of ways in which we address it. One way is through our intelligence agencies and the RCMP, which are fully monitoring what is happening and ensuring that foreign actors are not involved in transnational repression or foreign interference. There are reports that can be made to the police and to the RCMP. While they are not perfect, they exist and they are a method to address this issue. The updated legislation we are addressing today is another method, because it would allow for sanctions to be administered when individuals are propagating transnational repression, whatever its form, be it in person, online or in any way. I also want to speak about the importance of those who are raising their voice, not only here in Canada but overseas. Initially, when this legislation was deposited in the previous Parliament, it asked that we give details that would have compromised human rights defenders overseas. Thankfully, that has been fixed in this legislation by the foreign affairs committee. What happened is—”

“I want this bill to pass. It now protects the private information of human rights workers when reports are given to Parliament. I thank these workers for standing up for human rights.”

“Madam Speaker, thankfully, that has been fixed in this legislation, ensuring that the personal information of human rights defenders who are in grave situations would not be rendered public. In a previous version, the challenge was that this data would not be not anonymized. Today, it would be anonymized and, therefore, a report can be made to Parliament. That is a very positive new addition. Again, I want to underscore how important it is that we are working together to make this happen and that there has been some great work done by the foreign affairs committee to get to this point. I look forward to this legislature passing the bill and seeing it become law. I also want to salute and thank everyone who stands up for human rights, be it here in Canada or overseas. They are an inspiration to us, and we should take the lesson they are giving us so that we can really defend what is good, proper and right.”