Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
Third reading (Senate), as of Dec. 10, 2024 (This bill did not become law.)
Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to require a court to consider the fact that the victim of an assault is a person who provides health services or a first responder to be an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of sentencing.
Feb. 28, 2024Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against persons who provide health services and first responders)
Jan. 31, 2024Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against health care professionals and first responders)
June 21, 2023Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against health care professionals and first responders)
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-321 seeks to amend the Criminal Code to include the fact that a victim of assault is a health care worker or first responder as an aggravating circumstance for sentencing purposes. This aims to denounce and deter violence against these frontline workers, acknowledging their unique vulnerabilities and the increasing rates of assault they face while performing their duties. The bill intends to send a message that violence against those who serve and protect communities will not be tolerated, and that the courts should consider this when sentencing perpetrators.
Conservative
Support for Bill C-321: The Conservative party supports Bill C-321, which amends the Criminal Code to require courts to consider that when a victim of an assault is a health care professional, a health care worker or a first responder, it is an aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing. They believe it is time to send a message to health care workers, first responders, and public safety personnel that they have the party's support.
Rising violence is unacceptable: The Conservatives believe the increasing rates of violence against first responders, nurses, and health care workers is unacceptable. They emphasize the need to recognize and address the physical and verbal abuse endured by these workers and to ensure that violence in the workplace is not normalized.
Need for legal protection: The party argues that health care workers and first responders should have assurance that there is a legal mechanism in place if they are attacked. They believe perpetrators should be tried and convicted with the full force of the Canadian legal system and that the bill is a step towards ensuring that the legal system supports these workers.
Address recruitment, retention issues: Conservatives believe that violence against frontline workers leads to fear, compassion fatigue, and morale and recruitment issues. Passing the bill would show that the government and Canadians value their work, and that the party wants and needs them.
NDP
Support for Bill C-321: The NDP supports Bill C-321, which amends the Criminal Code to consider assaults against health care professionals and first responders as an aggravating circumstance. They emphasize the need to protect these workers who are often subjected to violence in the workplace.
Need for broader definition: While supporting the bill, the NDP advocates for a broader definition of 'health care worker' to include all individuals working in health care settings, not just professionals, to ensure comprehensive protection against workplace violence. They also would like to broaden the definition of 'first responder'.
Addressing systemic issues: The NDP emphasizes that the bill is only a first step. They call for additional resources, proper security measures, increased staffing, and greater mental health support to prevent assaults and address the root causes of violence against health care workers and first responders.
Erosion of health care: The NDP noted the importance of investing in the health care system, stopping for-profit health care, and ensuring staff are supported. They blame cuts and privatization for the erosion of care, and hold this responsible for the violence.
Bloc
Supports bill C-321: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-321, which would amend the Criminal Code to include the fact that the victim of an assault is a healthcare worker or first responder as an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of sentencing. While existing Criminal Code provisions already address this to some extent, the Bloc believes the bill deserves attention and further study in committee.
Need for broader prevention: The Bloc emphasizes that legislative deterrents alone are insufficient. They advocate for prioritizing prevention, healthy living conditions, and addressing systemic issues within the healthcare system, such as adequate funding and resources, to reduce the risk of violence against healthcare workers and first responders.
Consideration for other professions: While supporting the protection of healthcare workers, the Bloc raises concerns about singling out one profession for special protection. They suggest that other professions, such as teachers, daycare workers, and those working in social services, also deserve recognition and protection, and that the message sent to other workers should also be considered.
Health transfer responsibility: The Bloc argues that the federal government has a responsibility to increase health transfers to Quebec and the provinces to ensure that healthcare systems have the resources they need to meet the needs of the people. They state that increased funding is essential for worker and public safety.
Liberal
Supports Bill C-321: The Liberal party supports Bill C-321, which seeks to denounce and deter violence against nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and other frontline health care staff by amending the Criminal Code to include the victim's profession as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Protecting health care workers: Health care workers experience workplace violence at a rate four times higher than any other profession, and much of this violence goes unreported due to a culture of acceptance. The bill aims to provide a higher level of protection for these essential workers and send a message that assaults against them will not be tolerated.
Consistent terminology: The government suggests replacing "health care professional" with "person who provides health services" to ensure broader protection and consistency with existing legislation. This change would ensure that the legislation applies to as broad a class of victims as possible.
Pursuant to an order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 21, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C‑321, under Private Members' Business.
Links & Sharing
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
