Making a law/How a bill becomes a law

5

First Reading

• The bill will now be read and circulated

• Each party will review and consider the bill before voting for it to move on to the 2nd reading

• The bill is not debated at this stage

• VOTE: should we continue to discuss and investigate this bill?

Second Reading

• Now this PRINCIPLE of the bill is debated

• Is it a good or bad idea?

• Is it a good policy?

• Is the idea behind it sound?

• Is it a workable solution to a societal problem?

• VOTE: should we continue to debate and investigate this bill?

Committee Stage

Once the bill has been agreed on, it is sent to the committee stage for further input, amendments, and considerations

Third Reading

• A final draft of the bill is presented 

• Any changes or amendments will be debated and agreed upon

• FINAL VOTE: it the vote passes (majority votes in favour), it is sent to the Senate for approval

• If the bill passes at both the House of Commons and the Senate it will be sent to the governor-general for royal assent

Senate

Same process as in the House of Commons

If a senator proposes the bill the process is reversed from Senate to House of Commons to Governor General

Proclamation Date

• The date when the proposed law becomes real law

• Called an act if it passes

• last step

Provincial Government

• Province only has one legislature and not senate

• Has MPP instead of an MP

• Lieutenant Governor instead of the proclamation date

Royal Assent

The Queen (represented by the Governor General) gives the bill Royal

Assent