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Bill C-219

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First Session, Forty-fifth Parliament,

3-4 Charles III, 2025-2026

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

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
Reprinted as amended by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development as a working copy for the use of the House of Commons at Report Stage and as reported to the House on June 18, 2026

Mr. Bezan
451061


SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to impose certain requirements on the Minister of Foreign Affairs in relation to international human rights, prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders.

It also amends the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) to provide that

(a) transnational repression be sanctioned;

(b) [Deleted]

(c) a copy of each order or regulation made under paragraph 4(1)‍(b) of the Act must be tabled in each House of Parliament; and

(d) [Deleted]

(e) [Deleted]

(f) the punishment under paragraph 11(b) of the Act be increased.

It also amends the Special Economic Measures Act to change that Act’s short title to the “Global Sanctions and Special Economic Measures Act (Sergei Magnitski Law No. 2)”. It further amends that Act to provide that

(a) transnational repression be sanctioned;

(b) [Deleted]

(c) [Deleted]

(d) every order or regulation made under paragraph 4(1)‍(b) of the Act must be tabled in each House of Parliament; and

(e) the punishment under paragraph 8(a) of the Act be increased.

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca


1st Session, 45th Parliament,

3-4 Charles III, 2025-2026

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

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

Preamble

Whereas Parliament supports strengthening Canada’s sanctions regime to better align with ally countries through the imposition of economic measures against a person, entity, foreign national or foreign state Insertion start that has engaged in activities that undermine Insertion end international peace, security Insertion start or stability in a manner inconsistent with international law or who is responsible for, or complicit in Insertion end , gross and systemic violations Insertion start of internationally recognized Insertion end human rights or acts of corruption;

Whereas Parliament considers that it is desirable that the Government of Canada continue working with ally countries towards establishing the International Anti-Corruption Court;

Start of inserted block

And whereas this Act will enable Canada to impose sanctions on foreign nationals who have engaged in activities that undermine international peace, security or stability in a manner inconsistent with international law or who are responsible for, or complicit in, gross and systematic violations of internationally recognized human rights or acts of corruption;

End of inserted block

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 3 Insertion end ).

2013, c. 33, s. 174

Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act

2 Section 10 of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (3):

Human rights

(4) In exercising the powers and performing the duties and functions set out in this Act in respect of the conduct of the external affairs of Canada, the Minister must publish, at least once every calendar year, a report that includes an outline of the measures that the Government of Canada has taken to advance human rights — Insertion start and support prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders Insertion end — internationally as part of Canada’s foreign policy.

Publication of report

Start of inserted block
(5) The Minister must publish the first report under subsection (4) within 12 months after the day on which this subsection comes into force.
End of inserted block

Definition of prisoner of conscience

(6) In this section, prisoner of conscience means an individual who, in contravention of international human rights standards, has been detained or otherwise physically restricted solely because of their identity or their conscientiously held beliefs, including religious or political beliefs.

2017, c. 21

Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law)

3 Section 2 of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

transnational repression means tactics used by a foreign state to intimidate, harass, surveil or threaten individuals or groups located outside the state borders or physically harm such individuals or members of such groups, including elected officials, political dissidents, human rights defenders, exiled journalists, diaspora communities, civil society activists and refugees, for the purpose of silencing dissent and stifling activism.‍ (répression transnationale)

4  Insertion start (1) Insertion end Insertion start   Insertion end Insertion start Paragraph 4(2)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following: Insertion end

  • Start of inserted block

    (a) a foreign national is responsible for, or complicit in, gross violations of internationally recognized human rights;

    End of inserted block

Insertion start (2) Insertion end  Subsection 4(2) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (c), by adding “or” at the end of paragraph (e) and by adding the following after paragraph (e):

  • (e) a foreign national has committed transnational repression as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign state; or

  • Start of inserted block

    (f) a foreign national has engaged in activities that undermine or are likely to undermine international peace, security or stability.

    End of inserted block

5 [Deleted]

6 Section 4.‍4 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Forfeiture

4.‍4 (1) Within Insertion start 24 Insertion end months of the seizure or restraint of Insertion start private Insertion end property under an order made under paragraph 4(1)‍(b), the Minister must apply for forfeiture of the Insertion start private Insertion end property under section 4.‍2.

Disposal

(2) The Insertion start Minister Insertion end must dispose of the Insertion start private Insertion end property forfeited within 30 days of the forfeiture.

Exception

Start of inserted block
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in cases in respect of which legal proceedings are ongoing.
End of inserted block

7 (1) Section 5 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Order or regulation
5 (1) A copy of each order or regulation made under paragraph 4(1)‍(a) or (b) must be tabled in each House of Parliament within 15 days after it is made. It may be sent to the Clerk of the House if the House is not sitting.
(2) [Deleted]

(2) [Deleted]

8 [Deleted]

9 [Deleted]

Start of inserted block

9.‍1 Paragraph 11b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both.

    End of inserted block

1992, c. 17

Special Economic Measures Act

Amendments to the Act

10 [Deleted]

11 Section 1 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Short title
1 This Act may be cited as the Global Sanctions Insertion start and Special Economic Measures Insertion end Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 2 Insertion end ).

12 Section 2 of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

transnational repression means tactics used by a foreign state to intimidate, harass, surveil or threaten individuals or groups located outside the state borders or to physically harm such individuals or members of such groups, including elected officials, political dissidents, human rights defenders, exiled journalists, diaspora communities, civil society activists and refugees, for the purpose of silencing dissent and stifling activism.‍ (répression transnationale)

Start of inserted block

12.‍1 Section 3.‍1 of the Act is replaced by the following:

End of inserted block
Purpose of Act
Start of inserted block
3.‍1 The purpose of this Act is to enable the Government of Canada to take economic measures against certain persons in circumstances where an international organization of states or association of states of which Canada is a member calls on its members to do so, international peace, security or stability has been undermined or is likely to be undermined, gross and systematic human rights violations have been committed in a foreign state or acts of significant corruption involving a national of a foreign state have been committed.
End of inserted block
13 (1) Paragraph 4( Insertion start 1 Insertion end )‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
  • Start of inserted block

    (a) make any orders or regulations with respect to the restriction or prohibition of any of the activities referred to in subsection (2) that the Governor in Council considers necessary; and

(1.‍1) Paragraph 4(1.‍1)‍(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b) international peace, security or stability has been undermined or is likely to be undermined;

    End of inserted block
(2) Paragraph 4(1.‍1)‍(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (c) transnational repression or gross and systematic human rights violations have been committed in a foreign state; or

Start of inserted block

(3) The portion of subsection 4(2) of the English version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

End of inserted block
Restricted or prohibited activities
Start of inserted block
(2) Orders and regulations may be made under paragraph (1)‍(a) with respect to the restriction or prohibition of any of the following activities, whether carried out in or outside Canada:
End of inserted block

14 [Deleted]

15 Section 5.‍6 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Forfeiture
5.‍6 (1) Within Insertion start 24 Insertion end months of the seizure or restraint of Insertion start private Insertion end property under an order made under paragraph 4(1)‍(b), the Minister must apply for forfeiture of the Insertion start private Insertion end property under section 5.‍4.
Disposal
(2) The Insertion start Minister Insertion end must dispose of the Insertion start private Insertion end property forfeited within 30 days of the forfeiture.
Exception
Start of inserted block
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in cases in respect of which legal proceedings are ongoing.
End of inserted block

16 [Deleted]

17 [Deleted]

18 Subsection 7(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Tabling in Parliament
7 (1) Every order and regulation made under paragraph 4(1)‍(a) or (b) shall be laid before each House of Parliament by a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada within five sitting days of that House after it is made.
(1.‍1) [Deleted]

19 Paragraph 8(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both; or

20 The portion of subsection 10(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Evidence
10 (1) The original or a copy of a bill of lading, customs document, commercial invoice or other document is admissible in evidence in a prosecution under this Insertion start Part Insertion end in relation to any dealing with respect to goods, or services rendered in relation to these goods, where it appears from the document that

Terminology

Replacement of “Special Economic Measures Act” in other Acts

21 (1) Every reference to the “Special Economic Measures Act” is replaced by a reference to the “Global Sanctions Insertion start and Special Economic Measures Insertion end Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 2 Insertion end )” in the following provisions:

  • (a) paragraph 13(3)‍(d) of the Seized Property Management Act;

  • (b) in the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act:

    • (i) the definition sanctions evasion offence in subsection 2(1),

    • (ii) paragraph 7.‍1(1)‍(c),

    • (iii) paragraph 11.‍‍11(1)‍(b.‍‍1),

    • (iv) paragraph 39.‍27(3)‍(h),

    • (v) section 39.‍28, and

    • (vi) paragraph 55(3)‍(h);

  • (c) paragraphs 35.‍1(1)‍(a) and (b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;

  • (d) paragraph 6(2)‍(d) of the International Interests in Mobile Equipment (aircraft equipment) Act;

  • (e) subsection 20(1) of the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act;

  • (f) in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law):

    • (i) the long title,

    • (ii) the preamble, and

    • (iii) subsection 16(1); and

  • (g) paragraphs 27(3.‍1)‍(a) and (b) of the Online News Act.

Other references — Acts

(2) Unless the context requires otherwise, every reference to the “Special Economic Measures Act” in any provision of an Act of Parliament, other than a provision referred to in subsection (1), is to be read as a reference to the “Global Sanctions Insertion start and Special Economic Measures Insertion end Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 2 Insertion end )”.

Replacement in regulations

22 (1) Every reference to the “Special Economic Measures Act” is replaced by a reference to the “Global Sanctions Insertion start and Special Economic Measures Insertion end Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 2 Insertion end )” in the following provisions:

  • (a) paragraph (c) of the definition listed person or entity in subsection 1(2) of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Suspicious Transaction Reporting Regulations;

  • (b) in the Special Economic Measures (Myanmar) Regulations:

    • (i) paragraph 3.‍1(f), and

    • (ii) subsection 15(2);

  • (c) subsection 10(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations;

  • (d) subsection 10(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations;

  • (e) in the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions and Imposing Special Economic Measures on Libya:

    • (i) subsection 2(2), and

    • (ii) subsection 24(2);

  • (f) subsection 6(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations;

  • (g) paragraph 4(1)‍(c) of the General Export Permit No. 45 — Cryptography for the Development or Production of a Product;

  • (h) paragraph 3(1)‍(c) of the General Export Permit No. 46 — Cryptography for Use by Certain Consignees;

  • (i) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations;

  • (j) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations;

  • (k) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (South Sudan) Regulations;

  • (l) paragraph 3(1)‍(c) of the General Export Permit No. 41 — Dual-use Goods and Technology to Certain Destinations;

  • (m) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations;

  • (n) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations;

  • (o) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations;

  • (p) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (People’s Republic of China) Regulations;

  • (q) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations;

  • (r) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations;

  • (s) subsection 7(2) of the Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations;

  • (t) in the Special Economic Measures (Guatemala) Regulations:

    • (i) paragraph 4(f), and

    • (ii) subsection 7(2);

  • (u) in the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations:

    • (i) paragraph 4(f), and

    • (ii) subsection 7(2);

  • (v) in the Special Economic Measures (Sudan) Regulations:

    • (i) paragraph 4(f), and

    • (ii) subsection 7(2); and

  • (w) in the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations:

    • (i) paragraph 4(f), and

    • (ii) subsection 7(2).

Other references — regulations

(2) Unless the context requires otherwise, every reference to the “Special Economic Measures Act” in any provision of a regulation, as defined in section 2 of the Statutory Instruments Act, made under an Act of Parliament, other than a provision referred to in subsection (1), is to be read as a reference to the “Global Sanctions Insertion start and Special Economic Measures Insertion end Act (Sergei Magnitsky Insertion start Law No. 2 Insertion end )”.

1991, c. 11

Broadcasting Act

23 [Deleted]

24 [Deleted]

Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons

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