Canada rights reforms for vulnerable groups

In June 2025 the Canadian Parliament enacted two major amendments to the Criminal Code. Bill S‑228 criminalised forced or coerced sterilisation as aggravated assault, while the Protecting Victims Act (Bill C‑16) introduced new offences for femicide, coercive control, non‑consensual image distribution and heightened penalties for sexual violence. These federal changes aimed to address historic abuses against Indigenous peoples and to strengthen protections against gender‑based violence.

Building on that federal momentum, provincial and territorial leaders gathered in Charlottetown on 28 July 2026 and signed a memorandum of understanding to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities. The agreement, backed by premiers such as New Brunswick’s Susan Holt, commits jurisdictions to coordinated action on barrier removal and inclusion, citing the advocacy legacy of disability champion Rick Hansen.

Together, the federal criminal‑code reforms and the inter‑governmental accessibility pact illustrate a broader Canadian push to expand legal and policy safeguards for vulnerable populations, linking national legislation with sub‑national implementation to create a more inclusive and protected society.