House Adopts Bill to Strengthen Magnitsky Act, Tackle Transnational Repression
A bill that aims to boost Canada’s ability to sanction foreign individuals involved in corruption and human rights abuses has passed the House of Commons. Bill C-219, entitled the Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act, was introduced in September 2025 by Conservative MP James Bezan, and passed third reading in the House on Oct. 8. It must still pass the Senate and receive royal assent before it becomes law. The bill proposes amendments to the 2017 Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (known as the Sergei Magnitsky Act), which was also championed by Bezan, as well as several other federal laws.
TL;DR
- Bill C-219 has passed its third reading in the House of Commons.
- The bill aims to increase Canada's capacity to sanction foreign individuals implicated in corruption and human rights violations.
- It is titled the Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act.
- The bill was introduced in September 2025 by Conservative MP James Bezan.
- It proposes amendments to the 2017 Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Act) and other federal laws.
- The bill requires Senate approval and royal assent to become law.