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An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements

Summary

  • Requires the President of the Treasury Board to publish an annual report on the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in the federal public sector and certify the accuracy of submitted information.
  • Prohibits using federal funds to pay for settlements involving harassment, violence, or discrimination if the settlement includes an NDA, and bans spending public money to enforce NDAs against complainants.
  • Allows NDAs with federal bodies only if the complainant specifically requests one after receiving independent legal advice, and preserves certain disclosure rights.
  • Requires non-government grant and contribution recipients to report annually on their use of NDAs.
  • Extends these restrictions and transparency rules to the Senate, House of Commons, Library of Parliament, and Parliamentary Protective Service, with biennial legislative reviews.

Builder Assessment

Vote Yes

The bill strengthens transparency and curtails misuse of public funds on NDAs and related litigation, aligning with accountability and efficiency goals; it does not conflict with growth-oriented tenets, though most economic impacts are indirect or neutral.

Question Period Cards

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Principles Analysis

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Canada should aim to be the world's most prosperous country.

Primarily a transparency and governance reform with minimal direct impact on national wealth creation.

✓

Promote economic freedom, ambition, and breaking from bureaucratic inertia (reduce red tape).

Constrains secrecy that can entrench bureaucratic inertia and empowers complainants; modest reporting burden but overall increases accountability.

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Drive national productivity and global competitiveness.

Potential indirect benefits from safer, more accountable workplaces, but effects on productivity/competitiveness are uncertain.

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Grow exports of Canadian products and resources.

No direct relation to trade or export capacity.

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Encourage investment, innovation, and resource development.

Could improve institutional trust, but added reporting for grant recipients may add minor friction; net impact unclear.

✓

Deliver better public services at lower cost (government efficiency).

Restricts spending on NDA-related settlements and litigation and improves oversight; while reporting has costs, it can reduce waste and misuse of funds.

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Reform taxes to incentivize work, risk-taking, and innovation.

No tax policy changes.

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Focus on large-scale prosperity, not incrementalism.

A targeted governance measure rather than a macroeconomic prosperity initiative.

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S-232

PartySenate
StatusAt second reading in the Senate
Last updatedJun 12, 2025
TopicsSocial Issues, Government and Politics
Parliament45