Bill C-536 (Historical)

Sudan Accountability Act

An Act to encourage accountability by Canada and the international community with respect to Sudan

This bill was last introduced in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in September 2008.

Sponsor

Irwin Cotler  Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of April 11, 2008
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment provides that executive agencies must ensure that any contract entered into for the procurement of goods or services includes a certification from the contractor that the contractor does not conduct business operations in Sudan. The enactment also provides that the Government of Canada shall divest from bonds, stocks and other financial instruments invested in Sudan within six months after it comes into force. Finally, it provides that the Government of Canada shall work with members of the international community to adopt measures that will stop countries from knowingly or unknowingly enabling the Government of Sudan to continue to oppress and commit genocide against the people of the Darfur region and other regions of Sudan.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Sudan Accountability ActRoutine Proceedings

April 11th, 2008 / 12:05 p.m.
See context

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-536, An Act to encourage accountability by Canada and the international community with respect to Sudan.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce the Sudan accountability act, a bill that aims at enhancing the role of Canada and the international community in combating the genocide in Darfur.

In a week beginning with the commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, in which the world failed to act, it is only appropriate that in the same week legislation be introduced to combat the first genocide of the 21st century through targeted divestment and international initiatives.

We know that more than 400,000 have died in this genocide by attrition and at least 4 million are on a life support system. As the student posters at Darfur rallies ask, “If not us, who?” and “If not now, when?”

While this legislation alone will not end the genocide, it is a vital and necessary step to be taken and the time to act is now.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)