Bill C-210

An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (oath of office)

Sponsor

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 June 16, 2025

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Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends section 128 of the Constitution Act, 1867 to provide that every member of the Senate or House of Commons of Canada may, before taking their seat, choose to take and subscribe the oath of allegiance, the oath of office or both.

Elsewhere

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

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-210s:

C-210 (2021) Right to Vote at 16 Act

C-210 (2021) Law An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act (organ and tissue donors)

C-210 (2020) An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act (organ and tissue donors)

C-210 (2016) Law An Act to amend the National Anthem Act (gender)

1^st reading

Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867Routine Proceedings

June 16th, 2025 / 3:25 p.m.

Bloc

Xavier Barsalou-Duval Bloc Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑210, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (oath of office).

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that a bill to amend the Canadian Constitution is introduced. Today, I am pleased to introduce in the House a bill to amend section 128 of the Constitution Act, 1867, to eliminate the obligation to swear an oath to the King. Under this bill, the oath to the King would be replaced with an oath of office similar to the ones sworn by judges and some senior government officials. An MP who is elected by the people officially takes office once they have sworn an oath. However, what should be a moment of pride and celebration becomes a painful, humiliating experience that besmirches our honour and undermines the credibility of our institutions. Many Canadians, along with nine out of 10 Quebeckers, reject the monarchy, the living embodiment of old British oppression. This is therefore a test and an opportunity for Canada to show that it is as inclusive and open as it often claims to be. Everyone knows that an oath to the King is nothing more than a remnant of colonialism, and it is time to free ourselves from that.

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