Thanksgiving came early for North Okanagan-Shuswap Member of Parliament (MP) Mel Arnold.

A federal bill sponsored by Arnold is now law after receiving final legislative approval from the Senate on Oct. 8, and Royal Assent from the Governor-General on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The private Member's bill (PMB), C-291, replaces the term 91裸聊视频渃hild pornography91裸聊视频� in the Criminal Code and other federal statutes with the more accurate and appropriate term 91裸聊视频渃hild sexual abuse and exploitation material.91裸聊视频�

By introducing this updated term to Canadian laws, Arnold91裸聊视频檚 bill has formally aligned the term used in Canada with that recommended by the 2016 Luxembourg Guidelines of the Interagency Terminology and Semantics Project on the Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children.

91裸聊视频淲ords matter,91裸聊视频� said Arnold. 91裸聊视频淔or too long, the Criminal Code contained a misnomer that failed to reflect the reality of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and the harms inflicted on victims. This change to our laws is a small but important amendment that must be followed by other actions to fight child sexual abuse and exploitation.91裸聊视频�

Bill C-291 was tabled by Arnold and MP Frank Caputo in 2022 after it was developed by Caputo, who previously served as a Crown prosecutor prosecuting internet and sexual offences against children.

91裸聊视频淚t is a profound honour that Bill C-291, drafted by me and sponsored by MP Mel Arnold, has officially become law,91裸聊视频� said Caputo. 91裸聊视频淒uring my campaign, I spoke with many constituents in Kamloops91裸聊视频擳hompson91裸聊视频擟ariboo, expressing my commitment to addressing how we, as Canadians and Parliamentarians, tackle sexual offences against children.

"I am grateful to return to my community and share the success that MP Arnold and me achieved together. However, there is still much work to be done in this area, and I remain dedicated to continuing this important effort.91裸聊视频�

It is rare for a PMB to successfully become law, and less than four per-cent of private bills have become law in the past nine years. It is also notable that C-291 progressed through Parliament91裸聊视频檚 legislative processes with unanimous support from all sides despite prevailing tensions and divisions in Parliament.

91裸聊视频淭he unanimous support that carried this bill to completion is a reflection of the commonsense of the legislation,91裸聊视频� Arnold noted. 91裸聊视频淚 look forward to working with MP Caputo and all Parliamentarians to achieve more common-sense legislation to fight child sexual abuse and exploitation.91裸聊视频�

Arnold agreed with Caputo that more work needs to be done. 

"I remain committed to collaborating with Parliamentary colleagues to deliver legislation and policies that increase safety and prosperity for citizens, our communities, and our nation,91裸聊视频� he said.