Bill S-228

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures)

Status

Third reading (House), as of May 4, 2026

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Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to clarify that a sterilization procedure is an act that wounds or maims a person for the purposes of subsection 268(1).

Similar bills

S-250 (44th Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures)

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 S-228s:

S-228 (2021) Constitution Act, 2021 (property qualifications of Senators)

S-228 (2021) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons)

S-228 (2016) Child Health Protection Act

S-228 (2015) Hispanic Heritage Month Act

Debate Summary

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 S-228 amends the Criminal Code to explicitly define sterilization procedures performed without free, informed, and valid consent as aggravated assault. The legislation aims to prevent forced or coerced sterilization, particularly against marginalized groups, and to provide legal clarity and accountability.

Conservative

Support for bill S-228: The Conservatives support Bill S-228, which clarifies that performing a sterilization procedure without valid consent constitutes aggravated assault, providing a clearer legal framework for accountability and prosecution.
Upholds informed consent: The party emphasizes that valid consent must be free, informed, and voluntary. They argue that procedures performed during moments of extreme vulnerability or through misinformation are coercive violations of human rights.
Reconciliation and systemic change: Members view the bill as a vital action for reconciliation, addressing a legacy of eugenics and systemic discrimination against Indigenous women while seeking to restore trust in the healthcare system.
Clarifies scope of legislation: The party clarifies that the legislation specifically targets non-consensual sterilization and does not restrict voluntary sterilization, gender-affirming care, or legitimate medical interventions required to save a patient’s life.

Bloc

Support for the bill: The Bloc supports the bill, categorizing forced sterilization as a grave human rights violation and institutional violence that infringes on a person's fundamental right to control their own body.
Addressing systemic racism: Larouche highlights the historical overrepresentation of Indigenous women in forced sterilization cases, viewing the practice as a legacy of colonialism and eugenics that must finally be eradicated.
Legal clarity and practitioner protection: The party argues that explicitly defining forced sterilization in the Criminal Code is necessary to ensure zero tolerance while also providing clear protocols that protect healthcare professionals acting in good faith.
Jurisdiction and Indigenous collaboration: While supporting the legislation, the Bloc insists that implementation must respect Quebec’s jurisdiction over healthcare and involve Indigenous nations through respectful nation-to-nation discussions.

Liberal

Strong support for Bill S-228: The Liberal party supports this legislation to clarify that forced or coerced sterilization procedures performed without valid consent constitute the criminal offence of aggravated assault.
Protecting bodily autonomy and rights: The party emphasizes that coerced sterilization is a serious violation of bodily autonomy and that the bill protects a woman's fundamental right to make her own reproductive choices.
Addressing historic and ongoing harm: Recognizing that sterilization has targeted Indigenous and racialized women, members view this bill as a necessary step to address systemic discrimination and restore trust in the health care system.

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Criminal CodePrivate Members' Business

May 4th, 2026 / noon

The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater

I am afraid I have to interrupt the hon. member.

The time provided for the consideration of Private Members' Business has now expired, and the order is dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.