Kara Sears
The process of a bill becoming a law in Canada is a complex one. It involves multiple stages of reading, debate, and voting, as well as input from various parties, including members of Parliament, committees, and the Governor General. The journey begins with an idea, which is written in legal language and presented by Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) in the Legislative Chamber. This idea then goes through the legislative process, which includes the first, second, and third readings and several stages of debate and voting. If a bill passes the third reading and receives majority support, it moves closer to becoming a law. However, the journey is not complete without the crucial final step of receiving Royal Assent from the Governor General, at which point the bill officially becomes a law in Canada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of houses a bill must pass | 2 |
| Names of the houses | Senate and the House of Commons |
| Order of houses | Either order, but bills involving taxation or public funds must originate in the House of Commons |
| Number of stages | 3 |
| Names of stages | First, second, and third reading |
| Royal Assent | Required |
| Who can grant Royal Assent | Governor General or another designated representative of the Crown |
| What happens after Royal Assent | The bill becomes law and comes into force either on that date or a specified date |
| What happens if a bill doesn't pass | It "dies on the order paper" but can be reintroduced in the next session of Parliament with a new bill number |
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What You'll Learn
The legislative process
Bills can be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons by a parliamentarian, and most bills are first introduced in the House of Commons. Bills are identified with a letter and number, such as "Bill S-4" for the Senate and "Bill C-78" for the House of Commons. Once introduced, the bill is printed in its first reading form, often with explanatory notes, and made available for parliamentarians and Canadians to read and examine.
During the first reading, the main principle and purpose of the bill are debated, and if it passes, it is referred to a committee for further study and scrutiny. The committee may make amendments to the bill and present its report, which may recommend accepting the bill as is, with amendments, or not proceeding with it.
The bill then goes back for a second reading and debate, where members can propose further amendments. If the bill passes this stage, it moves to the other Chamber, where it goes through the same process of debate, review, and voting.
Once the bill has been passed by both Chambers in identical form, it moves to the final stage: receiving Royal Assent. The Governor General, representing the Monarch, grants Royal Assent, which may be done through a traditional ceremony or by signing the bill. Once Royal Assent is granted, the bill officially becomes a law and comes into force on that day or a specified date.
It is important to note that not all bills become laws, and a bill may "die on the order paper" if it does not pass through all the required stages during a session of Parliament. However, a bill that does not pass can be reintroduced in the next session with a new bill number.
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How a bill becomes a law
The process of turning a bill into law in Canada is a complex one, with many stages. The first step is for the bill to be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons. The bill is then printed in its first reading form, often accompanied by explanatory notes. The main principle and purpose of the bill are then debated, and if passed, the bill is referred to a committee for further study.
The committee may make amendments, and they present their report, which could recommend that the bill be accepted as is, with amendments, or not proceeded with. During the report stage debate, members can propose further amendments. The bill then goes back for a final debate and vote, based on the committee's report. If the bill passes the vote, it is sent to the other chamber, where it goes through the same process.
Once the bill has been passed by both chambers in identical form, it goes to the Governor General for Royal Assent and becomes Canadian law. The Governor General may assent to the bill in the Queen's name, withhold assent, or reserve assent. Royal Assent may be granted by a nod of the head in a traditional ceremony or by the Governor General signing the bill. Once the bill receives Royal Assent, it officially becomes a law.
Not all bills become law. A bill may 'die on the order paper' if it does not pass through all the stages during a session of Parliament. However, a bill that has died can be reintroduced as a new bill, with a new bill number, in the next session.
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The role of the Senate and the House of Commons
The Senate and the House of Commons are the two houses of Canada's Parliament. For a bill to become a law, it must be approved in identical form by both houses. Most bills are first introduced in the House of Commons, but they may also be introduced in the Senate first. Bills involving taxation or public funds must originate in the House of Commons and receive government approval.
Once a bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons, it must pass through several stages in each House: first, second, and third reading. During the first reading, the bill is introduced and read for the first time during Routine Proceedings. No debate is permitted at this stage. The second reading provides an opportunity for debate on the general scope and principle of the bill. Once the bill is adopted at the second reading, it is referred to a committee for further scrutiny. The committee reviews the text of the bill and may invite witnesses and experts to provide information and help improve the bill. The committee then reports the bill back to the House, indicating any proposed amendments. The House then considers and votes on the amendments. There is then a third reading where debate focuses on the final form of the bill. Once the bill has been read three times in the first House, it is sent to the other House for consideration, where it goes through the same stages. If the reviewing House makes any changes, the bill gets sent back to the initial House for further review. Messages may go back and forth between the Houses as amendments are debated until they reach an agreement on an identical version of the bill.
After a bill is passed by both the Senate and the House of Commons in identical form in both official languages, it is given to the Governor General for Royal Assent. Royal Assent is one of the oldest parliamentary proceedings and brings together all three constituent parts of Parliament: the Crown, the Senate, and the House of Commons. Royal Assent may be granted in one of two ways: written declaration or a traditional ceremony held in the Senate Chamber. The written declaration procedure involves the Clerk of the Parliaments meeting with the Governor General or their deputy to present the bills with a letter indicating that they have been passed by both Houses. The traditional Royal Assent ceremony involves the Governor General consenting to the enactment of the bills by nodding their head, after which the Usher of the Black Rod turns to face the main doors of the Senate Chamber, indicating that the ceremony has concluded. Once Royal Assent is granted, the bill officially becomes a law and comes into force on that day, unless the act provides otherwise.
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Royal Assent
The Royal Assent ceremony is steeped in tradition and is based on British practices before Canadian Confederation. The ceremony takes place in the Senate Chamber, where the Governor General, or one of their deputies (a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada or a senior official), signifies assent by a nod of the head. This assent is then announced by the Clerk of the Parliaments. The ceremony involves all three components of Parliament: the Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons, symbolising the Sovereign's sanction of Parliament's work.
While Royal Assent is typically granted through this traditional ceremony, since 2002, it can also be given by written declaration, as outlined in the Royal Assent Act. This act stipulates that a traditional ceremony must still be held at least twice per calendar year and for the first appropriation bill of each session of Parliament. The written declaration is not considered a statutory instrument and does not require the physical presence of the Sovereign or their deputy.
Once a bill receives Royal Assent, it officially becomes a law, or an act of Parliament, and is given a chapter number for the Statutes of Canada. Notably, Royal Assent has never been refused to a federal bill in Canada.
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How to play the game
This game is designed to teach players about how a bill becomes a law in Canada. It is an instructive tool that can be used to educate players about the legislative process in Canada.
The game can be played with two or more players, each taking on a specific role in the legislative process. These roles can include Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), members of the House of Commons, members of the Senate, the Governor General, and the Monarch.
The objective of the game is to navigate a bill through the various stages of the legislative process, from its introduction to its final passage into law. Each player starts with a hand of cards that represent the different stages and requirements of the process. These cards can include things like "First Reading," "Second Reading," "Committee Review," "Debate and Vote," and "Royal Assent."
Players take turns playing their cards to advance the bill through the stages. For example, a player may play the "First Reading" card, which would involve reading out the proposed bill and explaining its main principles. The next player might then play the "Debate and Vote" card, initiating a discussion about the merits and potential amendments to the bill.
As the game progresses, players must navigate their bills through both the House of Commons and the Senate, ensuring that they receive the necessary approvals and amendments. If a bill fails to pass a certain stage, it can be sent back to a previous player or stage for reconsideration.
The game ends when a bill successfully passes through all the required stages and receives Royal Assent from the Governor General, at which point it becomes a law. Players can then review the path their bill took and discuss the various challenges and considerations that arose during the game.
By playing this game, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the complex process of law-making in Canada and the roles of different parties involved.
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Frequently asked questions
A bill is a proposed law that is introduced in either the House of Commons or the Senate.
A bill must pass through various stages in both the House of Commons and the Senate to become a law. If a bill reaches the third reading and receives the support of the majority of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), it is on its way to becoming a new law.
Once both the Senate and the House of Commons have passed a bill in identical form, the bill is given to the Governor General for Royal Assent. Once the bill receives Royal Assent, it officially becomes a law.
If a bill does not pass through all the stages during a session of Parliament, it "dies on the order paper". However, it can be reintroduced as a new bill, with a new bill number, in the next session of Parliament.
