Bill Detail
An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements
This enactment requires the President of the Treasury Board to report on the use of certain non-disclosure agreements in the federal public sector. It also requires Parliament to undertake a review of the Act every two years after it enters into force.
It amends the Financial Administration Act and the Parliament of Canada Act in respect of the use of public money to enter into non-disclosure agreements and to litigate non-disclosure agreements against complainants.
It amends the Financial Administration Act to require federal officials empowered to make grants and contributions to take measures to ensure that public money is not used to
pay for settlements in relation to harassment and violence or discrimination if the settlement is to include a non-disclosure agreement; or
litigate non-disclosure agreements against complainants.
Finally, it amends the Financial Administration Act to require non-government entities receiving a grant or contribution of federal funds to report to the President of the Treasury Board on their use of non-disclosure agreements.
This bill, called the 'Can’t Buy Silence Act,' aims to increase transparency around the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in the federal public sector and by organizations receiving federal funds. It requires the President of the Treasury Board to report annually to Parliament on the number and total value of NDAs used by federal entities. It also prevents federal funds from being used to settle cases of harassment, violence, or discrimination if the settlement includes an NDA or if the organization litigates against complainants using NDAs.