An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (terrorism-financing exception for humanitarian assistance). Royal assent June 20, 2023 (S.C. 2023, c. 13). Adds a humanitarian carve-out to the Criminal Code's terrorism-financing offence (section 83.03), allowing Canadian aid agencies to operate in Afghanistan and other Taliban-controlled territory without falling foul of anti-terrorism financing rules. Includes a federal authorization regime: the Minister of Public Safety can authorize specified activities (humanitarian assistance, immigration, health and education services) after consultation with Foreign Affairs, Justice, and CSIS. Responds to the post-August 2021 collapse of the previous Afghan government, after which Canadian aid agencies had to suspend operations because of fears of prosecution. Sponsored by Marco Mendicino as Minister of Public Safety.
Status
Quick learn
Created a humanitarian carve-out in the Criminal Code's terrorism-financing offence. Canadian aid workers and NGOs can now operate in regions controlled by listed terrorist groups (the Taliban in Afghanistan was the immediate trigger) without becoming criminally liable themselves.
Issues this bill touches
- Foreign Policy & Defence
Lets Canadian aid agencies operate in Afghanistan (Taliban-controlled territory) without falling foul of anti-terrorism financing rules.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Second reading in the House of Commons.
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Third reading in the House of Commons.
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First reading in the Senate.
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Second reading in the Senate.
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Third reading in the Senate.
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Royal assent received.
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Sponsored by
David LamettiLIBERALOfficial source
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