Canada’s 44th Parliament: Key 2024 Updates & Predictions
- Ashaz Syed Hussaini
- Dec 14, 2024
- 4 min read
Written By: Ashaz Syed Hussaini
Legal Terms
Royal Assent: Assent from the Monarch for a bill to become a law.
Miscarriage of Justice: An unjust and unfavorable court of law mistake or outcome.
Formulary: A list of medicines covered by health insurance.
King’s Privy Council: Advisors of the Monarch consulted for significant nation affairs.
Home Buyers' Plan: A program where you can withdraw from RRSPs to buy homes.
OECD, or Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Brief
The Canadian legislative process requires that for a bill to be adopted to a law, it has to be passed in identical form by the House of Commons and the Senate, then receive Royal Assent.
This article will discuss the most significant government bills that became laws in 2024 and at what time each received Royal Assent in the 44th Parliament of Canada. I will also be giving brief predictions of how these developments might shape our legal landscape in 2025.
C-40: Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission Act (Awaiting Royal Assent)
Bill C-40 proposes creating an independent body to investigate claims of wrongful convictions in Canada; it replaces the ministerial review process with one led by a commission, with powers to investigate, assist applicants, and raise awareness of miscarriages of justice. Where the commission finds there is reasonable ground for a miscarriage to have occurred, it may recommend a new trial or hearing. It will also publish policies and annual reports with performance data, aiming to address systemic flaws and improve fairness in the justice system.
I anticipate Royal Assent soon due to the serviceability of this potential law in a nation with increasing rates of reported crime. It could lead to increased attention and scrutiny to judicial reform—such as automated methods for reviewing evidence and a wider effort toward lowering systemic bias in sentencing and law enforcement in 2025.
C-64: Pharmacare Act (October 10)
The Pharmacare Act provides a framework for the implementation of national universal pharmacare in Canada regarding access to necessary medications—such as contraceptives and diabetes medications. It would instruct the Minister of Health to establish a national formulary, devise a strategy for bulk purchasing, and publish a pan-Canadian strategy for appropriate drug use. The act requires an expert committee to provide recommendations; it is a major step towards equality in healthcare across the nation.
In 2025, I postulate that Canada may be expanding its pharmacare to more medications due to the set trend—the scope of which is hard to discern. However, this development will undoubtedly be the result of some degree of negotiation between federal and provincial governments over funding and implementation. There could even be legal challenges regarding jurisdictional authority—especially concerning provincial autonomy in health care.
C-50: Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act (June 20)
The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act establishes a framework to support development and create permanent employment, all while making Canada a net-zero emissions country. The Act identifies responsible ministers, requires a member from the King’s Privy Council (KPC) to consult the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council for advice, will be supported by a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat in its implementation, and ensures there is accountability to Parliament through the tabling of regular Sustainable Jobs Action Plans. It needs responsibility, openness, and help from the community to review changes that are necessary for adapting to new economic and environmental goals.
I believe that the 2025 legal debates would revolve around the definition of “sustainable jobs” because the KPC will have to find a balance between economic growth and environmental goals. The regulatory measures—like the carbon rebates—affecting traditional energy sectors could also be in dispute as we ramp up our transition to a green economy.
C-70: Countering Foreign Interference Act (June 20)
The Act improves Canada's ability to deal with foreign interference by renewing and expanding legal frameworks in several statutes. Key provisions include updating the Canadian Security Intelligence Act to better handle data and expand investigative powers, amending the Security of Information Act to create new covert foreign influence offences, and introducing the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act to require disclosure of arrangements with foreign principals. The Act also enhances the protection afforded to sensitive information in the course of legal proceedings and reinforces accountability through public registries and parliamentary reviews.
Due to improved data investigation means, I expect privacy rights and the scope of surveillance powers to become focal points of 2025 legal battles. Canada may adopt security measures to counter emerging forms of foreign interference. An example of this could be from potential interest groups opposing Trudeau’s decision to abide by the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu.
C-69: Budget Implementation Act (June 20)
This Act introduces comprehensive measures across four parts, addressing tax reforms, international compliance, social programs, and regulatory updates. Part 1 enhances tax credits for first responders, expands green technology incentives, and raises Home Buyers’ Plan limits. Part 2 enacts an OECD-recommended global minimum tax of 15% for large multinationals. Part 3 adjusts excise duties on tobacco, vaping, and alcohol, improves housing tax compliance, and repeals select GST/HST exemptions. Part 4 amends numerous Acts, tackling housing, education, health, anti-money laundering, and financial transparency.
For 2025, I forecast continued legal and policy debates over the expansion of social programs and the optimization of climate-related financial incentives—especially as Canada balances economic growth with social equity with our rising population.
C-29: National Council for Reconciliation Act (April 30)
This Act establishes an independent, Indigenous-led organization to advance reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. The council is designed to be permanent and non-political, showing Canada's commitment to truth and reconciliation.
Federal reconciliation commitments may be under more scrutiny than before. There could also arise more legal disputes on land claims with more overall Indigenous voice and power, regarding issues such as adequate funding or effective monitoring frameworks.
C-35: Canada Early Learning & Child Care Act (March 19)
This law introduces an early learning and child care system right across Canada and provides long-term funding for provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples. It also sets up the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care to support the ongoing development and implementation of the system.
My guess is that the emphasis will be placed on workforce development in early childhood education due to the prominently salient labor shortages this year.
Document with citations can be found here:
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