Legislation · Canada (Federal) · Federal
S-240 — An Act to amend the Criminal Code (declaration of exception pursuant to subsection 33(1) of the Charter for mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse and exploitation material offences)
Clarion tracks S-240 before Canada (Federal) — its status, sponsor, plain-language summary, and every stage it moves through, each cited to the official record and refreshed each morning.
- Status
- At Second Reading In The Senate
- Sponsor
- Leo Housakos
- Introduced
- 2025-11-05
- Session
- 45-1
What it does
AI plain-language summary of the official text.
Senate Public Bill S-240 seeks to amend the Criminal Code to invoke the notwithstanding clause (subsection 33(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) in order to preserve mandatory minimum sentences for offences related to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. By using a declaration of exception, the bill aims to shield these mandatory minimums from Charter challenges that have invalidated similar provisions in other contexts. The bill was introduced in the Senate with first reading on November 5, 2025, and is currently at second reading.
Passage outlook
Unlikely to pass because it's a Senate public bill (which rarely passes), it's at an early stage.
Historically 5–20% of comparable federal bills became law (base rate 19%, n=103). Momentum has slowed, so that historical rate likely overstates its current odds.
A transparent, rule-based outlook from bill type, stage, and verified government standing — not a guaranteed prediction.
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