Today, Senator Kim Pate introduced Bill S-212 and gave notice of a motion calling on the Senate to study economic recovery that leaves no one behind.
Bill S-212: Criminal Record Reform
Aimed at addressing systemic racism, inequality and the inaccessibility of the criminal record system, Bill S-212 provides for a no-cost, no-application expiry of criminal records once a person has spent time in the community with no subsequent criminal involvement. The burden of Canada’s increasingly costly and complex system for record relief—in terms of barriers to jobs, education, volunteer work, and even finding housing and receiving long-term care—has fallen disproportionately on the most economically and racially marginalized, especially those of African descent and Indigenous Peoples. When people are able to access these vital lifelines for community integration, all of us benefit from safer and more resilient communities.
A notice of intent to sponsor this bill in the House of Commons has been submitted by the Honourable Judy Sgro, M.P. for Humber River–Black Creek.
Motion for Study of Economic Recovery
The economic recovery roadmap motion proposed by Senator Pate and seconded by Senator Duncan marks the 50th anniversary of the Senate’s landmark Report of the Special Committee on Poverty, also known as the Croll Report. The report made the visionary recommendation for a national guaranteed livable basic income program. Yet to be implemented, more than 3.5 million Canadians continue to be left behind. Senator Pate’s motion calls on the Senate’s National Finance Committee to examine the human, social and financial costs of abandoning people in poverty and the potential for implementing measures such as guaranteed livable basic income.
