Criminal Code
Bill to Amend--Third Reading
October 22, 2025
Moved, for Senator Housakos, third reading of Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders).
Honourable senators, I want to start by thanking and congratulating Senator Housakos on his efforts to move this bill quickly through our chamber while respecting the Rules. It’s a testament to the fact that it is possible to work expeditiously while providing senators with the opportunity to choose whether to debate or not and, ultimately, to vote.
We now have three examples in the last two weeks of bills that have moved efficiently through this chamber that had the similar attributes of being well supported on all sides, having been through the study and debate process in the Senate, and for which we are following the Rules as we bring these bills to a final vote.
For the new senators and maybe to remind others, I would like to note that we in the Canadian Senators Group, or CSG, understand we’ve developed a bit of a reputation for saying no to any request for leave, and that is not correct. We want to put on the record that we believe it’s important to protect the rights of senators to say no and to follow the Rules, which are there to give everyone equal and fair opportunities for debate.
We believe that leave should be granted in exceptional circumstances and only with proper consultation and justification. We believe that this can be provided in exceptional circumstances, and we have done it in many, many cases. But for these bills, including this one, we believe that we should follow the path that’s outlined in the Rules and that we should be able to quickly and efficiently get them through.
Now, back to Bill S-233, I again would like to congratulate and thank Senator Housakos for introducing this bill from its House version in the last Parliament and for taking charge and moving it forward. I — like all senators, I’m sure — support the aims of this bill wholeheartedly.
I’m delighted and honoured to see that we have some first responders here in the chamber today to witness the vote that I hope will be in the next minute or two. I want to say that any assault on a person who provides health services or a first responder should, indeed, be considered as an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of sentencing.
I support the bill. I look forward to being part of its passage and sending it to the House of Commons. Thank you.
Honourable senators, first and foremost, I have to say, as many of you know, I’ve been a member of this chamber for a long time, and there are some days where, believe it or not, I ask myself, “What am I doing here?” But there are some days when you get an immense sense of pride that you’re helping to do some really good work.
It happened to me recently, not a few months ago, when Senator Boehm and I worked on Bill S-203 that passed unanimously in this chamber thanks to the support of every single senator and became law. That was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a legislator, although we have a lot of work to do on that issue, Senator Boehm. I think today, with the hard work of Senator Yussuff and everyone involved in this chamber over the last several weeks, we were able to see the overwhelming sense of support for this bill by many senators, and I thank you for bringing us to this point.
I echo the words of Senator Tannas. There is nothing more important for us as parliamentarians and Canadians than to support and be there for those who are there for us in the moments that are so important to us. It’s our small gesture to let you know that what you do for us on a daily basis, we appreciate from the bottom of our hearts.
Colleagues, I know this bill will get the red carpet treatment. I know Senator Yussuff and I have taken the initiative today to reach out to the House leaders in the other place. They’ve assured us they’re going to roll out the green carpet with the same degree of enthusiasm and give it the due diligence both it and you deserve. Thank you, all, for making this happen. I call the question.
Are senators ready for the question?
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed.)
