Bill to Amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations
Third Reading
March 11, 2026
Moved third reading of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations.
He said: Honourable senators, I hope you all have your pillows ready.
I am privileged to stand before you today as the sponsor of Bill S-3, advocating for this long-overdue legislation.
Firstly, to my colleagues in the Government Representative’s Office, or GRO, I thank you for the trust that you have placed in me, knowing full well that this is my first experience in sponsoring a bill.
Secondly, to my esteemed colleagues on the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, I extend my sincere appreciation for your thoughtful and dedicated work on Bill S-3 and dealing with it as efficiently as you have.
Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, may sound dry on the surface, but its implications resonate deeply with every Canadian. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, selecting the finest grapes at the market or are bewildered by the soaring figures on your electricity bill, accurate measurement is the unsung hero of our everyday transactions. Consider it the superhero of our shopping experiences, diligently ensuring that our wallets are protected with each precise measurement and transaction.
The efficacy of our monetary system hinges not merely on the counting of pennies; it’s about our confidence in those pennies being counted correctly. The precision of devices facilitating commerce directly affects the financial well-being of all Canadians, an issue close to our hearts and, more importantly, our wallets.
I commend the government for its proactive steps in renewing our trade measurement laws, a duty rooted in the Constitution Act, 1867. While these regulations have served us well, the need for modernization is paramount to keep pace with the evolving landscape of our economy.
I express my gratitude to the Minister of Industry for championing this bill, and I would also like to acknowledge the senior officials at Measurement Canada for their critical advocacy in this domain. Their leadership and extensive consultations have ensured that these amendments will be welcomed by industry and consumers alike in this rapidly shifting technological environment.
Measurement Canada is tasked with enforcing these acts nationwide. They evaluate and approve a broad spectrum of measuring devices, ranging from your traditional scales and gas pumps to cutting-edge electrical vehicle chargers.
The reality is that the trade measurement laws we currently operate under haven’t kept pace with technological advancements, with the last significant overhaul occurring when cassette tapes ruled the airwaves. We are talking about a time predating the internet and the digital age that we now inhabit. The objective of this bill is to bridge that critical technology gap.
The existing legislation, relevant in its time, now finds itself outdated, excessively prescriptive and overly complex, forcing us to contend with square pegs trying to fit into round holes. Enforcement measures fail to reflect the realities of our modern marketplace, creating barriers instead of promoting compliance. It’s akin to me confiscating my daughter’s iPad for minor bad judgment rather than guiding her through her digital missteps.
As I reflect on Bill S-3, I want to highlight how it modernizes both the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, providing critical updates to our trade measurement framework.
Electricity Canada appeared as a witness at the Senate Banking Committee on February 5. They tabled two recommendations and requested consideration for them as amendments to the bill.
Notwithstanding that the committee undertook a thorough review of Bill S-3 and returned the bill to this chamber without amendments or observations, Senator Colin Deacon reflected upon the two recommendations tabled by Electricity Canada and requested that they be reviewed further, prior to the consideration of this chamber. In the interest of completeness, I agreed with Senator Deacon.
The first recommendation was to refine the definition of “meter” to prevent regulatory overreach into software, IT systems and components not integral to measurement accuracy.
I asked Measurement Canada to respond, and they did so in a very timely manner, stating that this recommendation, in the form of an amendment, would have a major impact on its ability to enforce and administer the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, or EGIA.
Measurement Canada’s mandate currently includes verifying metrologically relevant components of a meter to ensure measurement accuracy, as well as meter components that allow the results of the energy measured to be displayed to consumers and businesses. They further state that as an amendment, it would prevent Measurement Canada from verifying the accuracy of the information displayed by a meter. This would be a major change to the scope of the organization’s legislative mandate and its capacity to verify measurement accuracy during trade measurement transactions. This would also have an impact on consumer protection.
However, they conceded that stakeholder concerns could be addressed by clarifying that the scope of Measurement Canada’s mandate is limited by the authorities in the EGIA as defined in section 28. This could be done by posting an information bulletin on the organization’s website specifying that the scope of “meter” and “apparatus” includes only what is required in order to administer the requirements of the EGIA.
The second recommendation from Electricity Canada was a request to modernize the legal units of the measurement framework to allow flexibility for future technologies through legislative review and regulation.
Measurement Canada rejected the concept of this amendment, both in terms of a revision to the act and by way of regulation.
They commented:
Regulatory requirements for electricity and gas cannot be harmonized as they are fundamentally different types of devices. Specifically, natural gas measurement depends on pressure, temperature and composition, which is the blend of gas.
Electricity measurement depends on voltage, current and power.
As a result, the design, performance and measurement technology of electricity and gas meters must be evaluated and treated differently. Technologies continue to evolve in both these sectors, requiring different and separate approaches to verifications and sealing devices.
The answers from Measurement Canada were fulsome and complete, and I thank Senator Deacon for helping me obtain the answers for Electricity Canada.
Trade measurement is a touchpoint in the everyday lives of Canadians, as stated earlier. From fuelling our cars to grocery shopping and to settling our electricity bills, the legislation establishes a commitment to uphold accuracy and reliability across all our financial transactions.
The government’s responsibility concerning trade measurement laws is enshrined in our foundational legal constructs. Measurement Canada’s authority encompasses not just the examination of measuring devices but extends to ensuring compliance through continuous inspections and calibration of machines.
Every year, about 10,000 inspections are conducted, complemented by the certification of over 1 million devices. This mandate is paramount, especially as new and complex technologies continuously enter the marketplace.
Modernization is crucial. The current legislative framework reflects a bygone era and struggles to align with the increasingly automated, digitized and innovative marketplace. It is our duty to adapt and enhance these laws not only to safeguard consumers but to promote industry evolution and technological advancement.
Bill S-3 contains these vital legislative changes, which will ultimately lower regulatory barriers for businesses while augmenting protections for consumers. Among these amendments is the provision for temporary permissions to introduce new measurement technologies into the market without bureaucratic delay. This flexibility is essential for fostering innovation, particularly in burgeoning sectors like clean fuel measurements.
Moreover, by introducing risk-based sampling for inspections, Measurement Canada can allocate their resources more effectively, ensuring oversight where it matters most while enhancing operational efficiencies. The use of digital technologies will further streamline processes, bringing inspection services directly to Canadians, even in hard-to-reach areas.
As I conclude, I emphasize that a robust trade measurement framework is integral to a thriving economy. It nurtures a competitive marketplace and bolsters consumer confidence, which is essential for trade on an international scale. The proposed amendments will usher Canada’s trade measurement practices into the digital future, ensuring that our laws remain relevant and effective.
A healthy trade measurement framework underpins a strong economy by contributing to a fair and competitive marketplace and international, business and consumer confidence. The proposed legislative amendments will bring Canada’s trade measurement framework into the digital age and provide the needed flexibilities to continue to keep pace with rapidly advancing measurement technologies and evolving trade measurement practices.
Measurement Canada will leverage modern tools and approaches to better serve Canadians through the use of digital approaches and sampling to monitor device measurement accuracy and increase the timeliness of the introduction of new measurement technologies.
This bill will reduce red tape, supporting a strong economy where businesses and consumers alike can conduct their transactions with confidence and consumers get what they pay for.
Esteemed colleagues, these amendments better regulate trade measurement not just for the present but for a future that is rapidly evolving.
Thank you, meegwetch.
Honourable senators, I rise today at third reading of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations.
Let me begin by acknowledging the sponsor, Senator Varone, for steering this bill to this point and recognizing the work of my colleagues in the Senate Banking Committee, who were very diligent during the study of this bill.
As critic of this bill, I would like to state at the outset that I support its passage in its current form. My role throughout this process has been to examine the bill critically and carefully, ask questions where clarification was needed and ensure that the legislative and regulatory changes proposed meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and accountability. At second reading, I expressed my support for the overall objectives of this bill while also highlighting areas that required careful scrutiny.
Modernizing Canada’s trade measurement laws and regulations is both necessary and long overdue. Many provisions governing how measurement devices are approved, inspected and regulated have remained largely unchanged since the late 20th century. When these laws were first introduced, most measurement devices were mechanical, transactions were largely local and digital connectivity was not a defining feature of the marketplace.
Today, by contrast, measurement devices increasingly incorporate sophisticated software, automated calibration systems and remote communication capabilities. Data generated by these devices is often transmitted automatically to billing systems or regulatory databases, and supply chains have become highly interconnected.
Transactions are frequently conducted digitally across multiple jurisdictions and rely on complex systems that demand accurate and reliable measurement.
This shift toward digital measurement is particularly significant. Modern devices are no longer passive instruments; they are active, networked systems capable of generating, processing and transmitting data automatically. While this creates opportunities for efficiency, it also requires that regulators have the tools and authority to verify compliance in digital environments. Bill S-3 responds directly to this need by updating the legal and regulatory framework while maintaining the core principles of accuracy, fairness and transparency.
Honourable colleagues, trade measurement affects Canadians in countless everyday transactions. When Canadians fill their vehicles with fuel, purchase groceries by weight or receive their electricity and gas bills, measurement devices determine how much they are charged. A litre of gasoline must truly be a litre. A kilogram must accurately represent the weight of the product purchased. A kilowatt-hour must correspond to the electricity that was actually consumed.
These devices operate quietly in the background yet form the foundation of fairness in our marketplace. When they function properly, Canadians rarely think about them, but when they fail, the consequences are immediate and tangible. Inaccurate meters or outdated regulatory provisions can undermine consumer confidence, distort competition and create inefficiencies across entire sectors of the economy. Modernizing these laws is, therefore, not merely a technical exercise; it is essential to maintain trust in Canada’s economic infrastructure.
Beyond individual transactions, accurate measurement underpins the functioning of entire industries. Energy, agriculture, manufacturing and transportation all rely on precise measurements to determine pricing, monitor production and ensure fairness. Even small inaccuracies, when multiplied across thousands or millions of transactions, can have substantial economic consequences.
Canada’s regulatory system for trade measurement is overseen primarily by Measurement Canada. The agency is responsible for the approval, verification and inspection of devices used in commerce. Bill S-3 ensures that the laws supporting this oversight remain effective in an era of digital devices, networked systems and complex data flows.
Honourable senators, since second reading, Bill S-3 has been referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy for detailed examination. Committee members engaged with government officials and stakeholders on inspection powers, regulatory flexibility and safeguards around exemption authorities. The committee’s study examined how proposed authorities would function in practice and how they interact with existing regulatory structures, underscoring the vital role committees play in reviewing technical legislation like Bill S-3.
At second reading, I raised questions about the modernization of inspection authorities, concerned that new powers would need clear limits and safeguards. At committee, officials explained that Bill S-3 updates inspectors’ powers so they can oversee modern digital measurement systems, including examining electronic records, accessing computer systems and, in some cases, conducting remote inspections. These powers are consistent with other federal regulatory frameworks, and safeguards remain in place. Inspectors cannot enter private dwellings without consent or a warrant, and all activities are protected under the Charter.
I also highlighted questions regarding the modernization of regulatory authorities under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. Committee testimony confirmed that new provisions allowing the President of Measurement Canada to suspend or revoke certificates and exempt contractors or classes of contractors under defined conditions are exercised with procedural fairness. Affected parties receive notice and an opportunity to respond before decisions are finalized, addressing my concerns about transparency and fairness.
Another issue I raised involved flexibility in the approval and use of measurement devices. Committee testimony clarified that temporary permissions allow regulators to observe new technologies in practical settings while maintaining oversight and safeguarding accuracy. I emphasized that while flexibility can encourage innovation, it must also preserve the accuracy and reliability that consumers depend upon. Exemption authorities provide risk-based flexibility, allowing regulators to tailor requirements where activities pose lower risks while protecting consumers and ensuring fairness. These explanations addressed my questions about balancing innovation and reliable measurement.
The bill also requires legislative review every 10 years, ensuring the laws remain responsive to technological advances and evolving business practices.
Honourable senators, Canada’s system of weights and measures may not make headlines, but it underpins commerce, protects consumers and supports fair competition. Bill S-3 modernizes this system, updates oversight tools and maintains strong safeguards. Having reviewed the bill and committee testimony, again, I’m satisfied it strikes the right balance between modernization, accountability and consumer protection.
For all of these reasons, I support the passage of Bill S-3 at third reading and encourage all honourable colleagues to do the same. Thank you.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed.)
