Bill S-226 Magnitsky Law Legislative Update

October 17, 2017

Senator Thanh Hai Ngo today issued the following statement regarding Bill S-226 the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Officials Act:

“Today, the Senate unanimously passed Bill S-226 (Sergei Magnitsky Law) as amended.

“This Bill authored by Senator Raynell Andreychuk, shepherd through the House of Commons by MP James Bezan, and supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland strengthens human rights as a pillar of Canada’s foreign policy.

“The Magnitsky Act will now provide Canada with a versatile set of tools to establish targeted sanctions on foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association, the right to a fair trial and democratic elections.

“In this pursuit for justice, Canada will be able to take restrictive measures such as imposing economic sanctions and travel bans on foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, or in acts of significant corruption.

“By passing S-226, Canada demonstrates its strong commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law on the world stage.”