Since Bill C-218 passed in the House of Commons on April 22, 2021, I have received hundreds of messages of support and questions about what the next steps are. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions:

So Bill C-218 has passed in the House of Commons, does that mean that single-event sports betting is legal now?

No, not yet. After passing the House of Commons, Bill C-218 must be considered in the Senate. The process there is similar to the process the legislation already underwent in the House of Commons.

How long will it take for C-218 to pass the Senate? When can we expect a vote?

The simple answer is that it is impossible to say. The Senate sets its own rules and timelines. The House of Commons has no jurisdiction.

Does C-218 have support in the Senate?

Yes! My Conservative colleague in the Senate, Senator David Wells, has agreed to sponsor the legislation in the Upper Chamber. My Saskatchewan colleague, Independent Senator Brett Cotter, has agreed to be a co-sponsor of the bill. There are many other Senators that have expressed support for the legislation as well.

Can I do anything to help?

Yes, there is. No matter what province you live in, there are Senators that have been appointed to represent your interests in the Upper Chamber. I encourage everyone who supports Bill C-218 to call and email the Senators for their province and tell them two things:

1. “I want you to support Bill C-218 at every step in the legislative process.”
2. “I want you to support an expedited legislative process. The House of Commons, as the elected voice of Canadians, overwhelmingly supports Bill C-218, including Members of Parliament from all parties.”

The legalization of single-event betting is in the hands of the Senate now. Below are links to the contact information for every sitting Senator. I encourage you to use them!

Alberta:

British Columbia:

Manitoba:

New Brunswick:

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Northwest Territories:

Nova Scotia:

Nunavut:

Ontario:

Prince Edward Island:

Quebec:

Saskatchewan:

Yukon: