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C-42Royal assent received

Making Changes to the Rules for Canadian Companies

Changes to Company Rules

Introduced Mar 22, 2023·Last discussed Nov 2, 2023
Summary

This approved law changes the rules for how Canadian corporations operate. It focuses on making things more digital and easier to access. It also makes sure businesses are more open and fair. The changes affect all companies that follow the Canada Business Corporations Act. This includes businesses of all sizes across Canada. The law makes it easier for the government to collect and share information about who owns and controls these companies. It also makes some of this information available to the public. This matters because it helps prevent illegal activities like money laundering. It also makes businesses more responsible and transparent. The public can now see who is really in charge of a company. This can help people make better decisions about where to invest or do business.

Bill Timeline
Introduced in the House
Mar 22, 2023
Approved in principle (House)
Jun 1, 2023
Vote on Bill C-42 — approve in principlePassed
317 Yea0 Nay
Jun 1, 2023
Vote to limit debate on Bill C-42Passed
174 Yea142 Nay
Jun 19, 2023
Vote to change Bill C-42Defeated
113 Yea207 Nay
Jun 20, 2023
Vote on Bill C-42 — accept committee changes?Passed
319 Yea1 Nay
Jun 20, 2023
Passed the House
Jun 21, 2023
Introduced in the Senate
Jun 22, 2023
Final vote on Bill C-42Passed
321 Yea0 Nay
Jun 22, 2023
Approved in principle (Senate)
Sep 26, 2023
Passed the Senate
Oct 31, 2023
Became law
Nov 2, 2023
Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Business & Worker RulesStrengthen worker protections

The bill aims to make businesses more fair and transparent, which could imply some increased regulation or oversight, nudging it slightly towards worker protections.

Political & Electoral ReformOpen to considering reforms

The bill's focus on digital transformation and transparency in corporate governance suggests a minor move towards modernizing and improving the system, though not a major overhaul.

This bill
Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law aims to increase transparency by requiring corporations to report information about individuals with significant control and making some of that information public. However, it also creates exceptions where this information can be kept private, and leaves many details to be determined later by the Director.

Things to Watch For

  • Watch for how the Director defines "serious threat to safety," as this will determine who can keep their information private.
  • The law doesn't specify how often the Director must review exemption requests.
  • The specific information to be made public beyond names and addresses will be determined later.
  • The law does not address how the Director will verify the accuracy of the information provided by corporations.
  • It is unclear how this law will interact with provincial privacy laws.
Progress

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