Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (Federal)
The Senate is studying whether budget bills should be allowed to include measures that aren't actually about money. Right now, governments often tuck unrelated policy changes into massive budget bills, making them harder to scrutinize. This study...
Why This Matters: Ever wonder why massive bills pass with little debate? Budget bills often hide controversial changes in hundreds of pages of financial measures. This study could lead to rules that force governments to be more transparent about what they're actually passing into law.
Policy & Studies
Finance & Consumer
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages (Federal)
The Senate's Official Languages Committee is conducting several ongoing studies. They're examining how federal institutions support arts and culture in minority language communities, looking at health services for French and English minorities, and...
Why This Matters: Speak French outside Quebec? English in Quebec? This affects you. The committee is looking at whether you can get healthcare in your language and whether your community's cultural organizations get proper federal support. Their findings could shape how the government protects language rights across...
Policy & Studies
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages (Federal)
The Senate's Official Languages Committee is studying healthcare services for Canadians who speak the minority official language in their province. That means English speakers in Quebec and French speakers elsewhere. The committee is gathering...
Why This Matters: Ever tried to explain symptoms to a doctor who doesn't speak your language? For a million Francophones outside Quebec and half a million Anglophones in Quebec, this is a real barrier to healthcare. Seniors and people in rural areas are hit hardest. This study could lead to better access to care in...
Policy & Studies
Health & Safety
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Federal)
Bill S-2 proposes changes to who qualifies for Indian status under the Indian Act. Previous amendments didn't fully fix sex-based discrimination in how status is passed down through generations. This bill aims to address those remaining gaps and...
Why This Matters: Were you or your ancestors denied Indian status because of outdated rules? This bill could change that. Thousands of Indigenous people lost status rights due to sex discrimination in the Indian Act. If you've been affected—or know someone who has—this directly impacts your family's legal...
Legislation
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Federal)
The Senate is examining whether the federal government is actually following through on its commitments to residential school survivors and their families. This study reviews the government's response to a 2023 report called "Honouring the Children...
Why This Matters: Residential schools affected generations of Indigenous families across Canada. If you're Indigenous, this is about whether the government is actually doing what it promised your community. If you're not, it's about whether Canada is living up to its reconciliation commitments. Everyone has a stake...
Policy & Studies
Indigenous & Northern
Justice & Rights
Closed
Ministry of the Solicitor General (ON)
Ontario wants to change how police background checks work. Right now, minor convictions disappear from checks after five years. The proposed change would keep more convictions visible longer—specifically for crimes that could have been charged as...
Why This Matters: Ever applied for a job that required a background check? This affects what shows up. If you have an old conviction for something like theft or assault that was handled as a minor offence, it might stay on your record longer. For employers and volunteer organizations, it means more information when...
Legislation
Justice & Rights
Closed
Calgary, AB
Calgary is updating its Accessibility Policy and creating a new Accessibility Plan. The goal? Remove barriers in city spaces, services, and programs for people with disabilities. This includes sidewalks, transit, parks, recreation centres, and how...
Why This Matters: Use a wheelchair? Have a visual impairment? Care for someone with a disability? This shapes how you'll navigate Calgary's sidewalks, transit, parks, and city services for years to come. Even if you don't have a disability now, most of us will experience one at some point in our lives.
Policy & Studies
Housing & Communities
Justice & Rights
Closed
Manitoba Accessibility Office (MB)
Manitoba is reviewing its rules requiring employers to make workplaces accessible for people with disabilities. The Accessibility Advisory Council wants to know what's working and what needs to change. This five-year review could lead to stronger...
Why This Matters: Have a disability and struggled to find work? Know someone who has? This review could change how Manitoba employers must accommodate job seekers and employees with disabilities. Better rules mean more people can participate fully in the workforce.
Regulations & Permits
Economy & Jobs
Justice & Rights
Closed
Department of Children (NL)
Newfoundland and Labrador is rethinking how decisions get made for people who can't make them alone. Right now, if someone lacks legal capacity, another person usually decides for them. The province wants to shift toward helping people make their...
Why This Matters: Do you have an aging parent? A family member with a disability? This affects how their care decisions get made. It could mean the difference between someone else choosing where your loved one lives—or them having a real say with proper support.
Policy & Studies
Health & Safety
Justice & Rights
Closed
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (Federal)
The federal government asked Canadians what they want from an "open government" - one that shares information freely, explains its decisions, and actually listens to people. This consultation gathered ideas on four big themes: making it easier for...
Why This Matters: Ever feel like government decisions happen behind closed doors? This plan determines how much the feds will actually tell you about what they're doing and why. It also shapes whether your voice matters when policies get made. If you've ever tried to access government data, participate in a...
Policy & Studies
Justice & Rights
Technology & Digital
Closed
Ministry of Labour (ON)
Construction workers sometimes don't get paid when subcontractors skip town or go bankrupt. Ontario is asking whether general contractors should be on the hook for those unpaid wages. Right now, workers have limited options when their direct...
Why This Matters: Work in construction? Know someone who does? Wage theft hits this industry hard. If you've ever worried about getting stiffed by a fly-by-night subcontractor, this consultation is asking whether the law should give you more protection.
Regulations & Permits
Economy & Jobs
Justice & Rights
Closed
Victoria, BC
Victoria has adopted its first Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan after extensive public engagement. The plan focuses on making the community safer and more inclusive for everyone—housed and unhoused residents, businesses, and workers. The City is...
Why This Matters: Live or work in downtown Victoria? This plan directly shapes how the City addresses safety concerns in your neighbourhood. Whether you're a business owner dealing with street-level challenges, a resident concerned about public spaces, or someone experiencing homelessness, these decisions affect...
Community Planning
Health & Safety
Housing & Communities
Justice & Rights
Closed
Francophone Affairs Secretariat (MB)
Manitoba wants to hear from you about making the province truly bilingual. The government is developing a long-term strategy to improve access to French-language services across multiple sectors. This survey and public consultations are the first...
Why This Matters: Speak French? This could mean better access to government services, healthcare, and education in your language. Even if you don't, this shapes what kind of province Manitoba becomes. Bilingualism affects schools, signage, and how government serves everyone.
Policy & Studies
Education
Justice & Rights
Closed
Waterloo Region, ON
Cambridge's noise by-law hasn't been updated since 2004. The city asked residents what types of noise bother them most and when quiet hours should apply. This review looked at everything from construction noise to barking dogs to late-night parties.
Why This Matters: Live in Cambridge? This affects your daily peace and quiet. Whether it's a neighbour's loud music, early morning construction, or barking dogs, these rules determine what's allowed and when. The by-law also covers noise exemption permits for events and construction projects.
Regulations & Permits
Housing & Communities
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs (Federal)
A Senate bill proposes creating a National Immigration Month to recognize the contributions of immigrants to Canada. The bill is currently being studied by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Canadians can share...
Why This Matters: Are you an immigrant or descended from one? Most Canadians are. This bill would officially recognize immigration's role in building Canada. It's a chance to shape how the country celebrates its diverse heritage.
Legislation
Immigration
Justice & Rights
Open for Input
Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights (Federal)
The Senate's Human Rights Committee is examining antisemitism across Canada. They want to understand how it affects Jewish Canadians and what can be done about it. This is a parliamentary study that could shape future laws and policies.
Why This Matters: Hate crimes against Jewish Canadians have been rising. This study could lead to new protections for religious minorities. If you've witnessed antisemitism or have ideas about combating hate, senators want to hear from you.
Policy & Studies
Justice & Rights