Senator Omidvar has tabled Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act in the Senate. Currently, the Magnitsky Act and other legislation allows the Government of Canada to freeze the assets of corrupt foreign officials. This new bill asks us to take the next step. If passed, it would authorize Canadian courts to take the frozen assets of foreign officials whose mis-rule creates forced displacement and other humanitarian needs. These funds could then be sent to organizations helping those victimized such as UNHCR.
To show your support for this legislation, please share some of the resources and updates posted below on social media using the hashtags #MakeThemPay and #S217.
Please note Bill S-217 was formerly Bill S-226 in the previous parliamentary session.
Updates and Resources on the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act
Put Frozen Russian Assets ‘to Work’ as Reparations, Says Former Foreign Minister Axworthy, Urging Canada to ‘Lead the World’
This excerpt from The Hill Times discusses how Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act, could help Ukrainian refugees.
Bill S-217: Senator Dalphond Expresses Support for the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act
Senator Dalphond spoke in support of the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act. Bill S-217 was subsequently referred to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee.
Bill S-217: Senator Housakos Expresses Support for the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act
Senator Housakos spoke in support of Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act.
Speech on Bill S-217: The Frozen Assets Repurposing Act
Senator Omidvar describes how her bill would repurpose the frozen assets of those who’ve committed grave human rights abuses to help their victims.
WATCH: Massey College Ethics Series – The Blight of Corruption: Does the World Need an International Anti-Corruption Court?
Senator Omidvar participated in a panel discussion hosted by Massey College on how best to deal with the scourge of corruption.
Repurposing Frozen Assets to Assist the Forcibly Displaced — Research Paper
The World Refugee and Migration Council has published a research paper about repurposing frozen assets to assist refugees.
Opinion: Let’s Hold the Kleptocrats to Account
The World Refugee Council recommends that countries confiscate and repurpose the stolen assets of corrupt officials to support their victims.
OPINION: To Make Corrupt Leaders Pay, We Should Seize and Repurpose Frozen Assets
Read Senator Omidvar’s op-ed in the Globe and Mail explaining how repurposing frozen assets would help to counter the forced displacement crisis.
The Refugee Crisis: ‘[We should] Stabilize The Hotspots Do People Can Go Back To Their Homes’
In this indepth interview, Senator Omidvar talks about the refugee crisis and the work of the World Refugee Council.
Justice for the Displaced? Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar on the CGD Podcast
Senator Omidvar joins the CGD Podcast to discuss the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act and the work of the World Refugee Council.
More from the World Refugee Council
Speech on Bill S-217: The Frozen Assets Repurposing Act
Senator Omidvar describes how her bill would repurpose the frozen assets of those who’ve committed grave human rights abuses to help their victims.
Q&A with Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar: Refugee Women and Girls
Senator Omidvar and the World Refugee & Migration Council discuss how the international community can better respond to the needs of refugee women and girls.
WATCH: Holding Kleptocrats to Account: Redirecting Frozen Assets and the International Anti-Corruption Court
Senator Omidvar discusses proposals to hold corrupt officials accountable for the damage they have caused.