Cecily Zamora
In Canada, a bill must go through several stages before it can become a law. First, it is introduced in the House of Commons or the Senate, where it is debated and voted on. If it passes, it is sent to a committee for review and then to the other chamber, where the process repeats. 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. This process can be lengthy, and ideas for new laws often begin outside of Parliament, with Canadians indicating what they want to change through petitions, meetings, and sharing their perspectives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who introduces a bill? | A bill may be introduced by a member of the Senate or the House of Commons. |
| Who drafts a bill? | The Department of Justice drafts the bill following instructions from the Cabinet. |
| What are the types of bills? | Public and Private. |
| What are public bills? | Public bills deal with matters of national interest and affect the whole country. |
| What are private bills? | Private bills benefit a particular individual or group. |
| What are the stages of a bill? | First, second, and third readings. |
| What happens during the first reading? | The objectives of the bill are explained, and the members decide whether to accept the bill for future debate. |
| What happens during the second reading? | Members debate and vote on the principle of the bill. |
| What happens during the third reading? | Members debate the bill for the last time, and a final vote is called. |
| What happens after the third reading? | If the bill is passed, it is presented for Royal Assent. |
| What is Royal Assent? | Royal Assent is the signification of the Sovereign's acceptance of a bill. |
| Who grants Royal Assent? | The Governor General or the Lieutenant Governor grants Royal Assent. |
| What happens after Royal Assent? | The bill becomes a law and comes into force on that day, unless the act provides otherwise. |
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What You'll Learn
Bills are introduced in the House of Commons or the Senate
A bill is a proposed law that becomes an act of Parliament if adopted in identical form by both the Senate and the House of Commons and then given Royal Assent. Bills can originate in either the Senate or the House of Commons, but most bills are first introduced in the House of Commons. Bills involving the spending of public funds or relating to taxation must be introduced in the House of Commons first.
When a bill is introduced in Parliament, it goes through a series of steps designed to ensure that its purpose and effects are carefully considered and that Canadians are consulted and informed. This is known as the legislative process. Once a bill has been introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons, it is printed in its first reading form, often with explanatory notes. The main principle and purpose of the bill are debated, and if passed, the bill is then referred to a committee for further study. In some instances, a bill may be referred to the committee before receiving a second reading. Committee members study the bill clause by clause and may make amendments.
During the second reading, members debate the principles of the bill. They are each allowed to speak only once during this time. After the debate, the members vote on whether to let the bill proceed to the next step. In some cases, the bill may move directly to the third reading, but often it is first examined by a Standing or Select Committee. During the third reading, members debate the bill for the last time. Following the debate, there is a final vote about the proposed law. If the majority of members vote to make the bill a law during the third reading, it is presented to the Governor General for Royal Assent.
If there is a supply bill to be assented to, the Speaker of the House of Commons brings it into the Senate chamber, reads a message asking that it be given royal assent, and hands it over to a Senate clerk at the Table, who reads the title of the bill in both official languages and the declaration of royal assent. The Governor General consents to the enactment of the bills by nodding their head. Once a bill has been granted royal assent, it becomes law and comes into force on that day, unless the act provides otherwise.
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Bills are debated, reviewed and voted on
Once a bill has been introduced in Parliament, it goes through a series of steps to ensure that its purpose and effects are carefully considered. This is known as the legislative process.
The first reading of the bill sees the objectives of the bill explained, and members of parliament (MPPs) decide whether to accept the bill for future debate. If accepted, the bill is printed and scheduled for a second reading. Each member receives a copy of the bill, and the debate is usually scheduled for several days later, giving MPPs time to study the bill. During the second reading, MPPs debate the principles of the bill and are each allowed to speak only once. After the debate, the MPPs vote on whether to let the bill proceed to the next step.
In some cases, the bill may move directly to the third reading, but often it is first examined by a standing or select committee. The committee may summon witnesses and experts to provide information and help improve the bill. The committee presents its report, which may recommend that the bill be accepted in its first reading state, with amendments, or that it not be proceeded with further. During the report stage debate, members can propose further amendments to the bill.
During the third reading, MPPs debate the bill for the last time. Following the debate, there is a final vote on the proposed law. If the majority of MPPs vote to make the bill a law, it is presented for Royal Assent.
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Bills are passed by both Houses of Parliament
To become a law, a bill must be passed by both Houses of Parliament in Canada, namely the Senate and the House of Commons. A bill is a proposed law that is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons. It is first printed in its first reading form, along with any explanatory notes. The main principle and purpose of the bill are then debated, and if passed, the bill is referred to a committee for in-depth study. The committee may suggest changes, after which the bill 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.
During the second reading, members debate the principles of the bill, and each member is allowed to speak only once. After the debate, the members vote on whether to let the bill proceed to the next step. In some cases, the bill may move directly to the third reading, but often it is first examined by a Standing or Select Committee. During the third reading, members debate the bill for the last time. Following the debate, the Speaker calls for a final vote about the proposed law. If the majority of members vote to make the bill a law, it is presented to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent.
If there is a supply bill to be assented to, the Speaker of the House of Commons brings it into the Senate chamber and reads a message asking that it be given royal assent. The Governor General, who is the representative of the Crown, consents to the enactment of the bills by nodding their head. Once a bill has been granted royal assent, it becomes law and comes into force on that day, unless the act provides otherwise. An act may provide that it comes into force on a specified date in the act or on a day fixed by an order of the Governor in Council.
In cases where the Senate adopts a Commons bill without amendment, a message is sent to the House of Commons to inform it that the bill has been passed, and royal assent is normally granted shortly thereafter. However, if the Senate makes amendments to a bill, it sends a message to the House with the text of the amendments. If the House does not agree with the Senate's amendments, it adopts a motion stating its reasons for disagreement, which is communicated back to the Senate. If the two Houses cannot reach an agreement, the House that has possession of the bill may request a conference, although this practice is rarely used.
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The Governor General grants Royal Assent
In Canada, a bill must go through a series of steps before it can become a law. Once a bill has been 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 the approval by the Sovereign of a bill that has been adopted by both houses of Parliament in identical form. It is the process by which a bill becomes an act of Parliament and part of the law of Canada. In Canada, Royal Assent is given by the Governor General or one of the Governor General's deputies, such as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada or a senior official like the Secretary to the Governor General. The legislative process requires the participation and approval of the three components of Parliament: the Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons.
The Governor General signifies assent by a nod of the head in a traditional Royal Assent ceremony in the Senate Chamber, or by signing the bill. Once the Governor General has signified assent, the Usher of the Black Rod turns to face the main doors of the Senate chamber, indicating that the ceremony has concluded. The Speaker of the House then raises their hat, bows to the representative of the Crown, and withdraws from the chamber.
Once a bill has been granted royal assent, it becomes law and comes into force on that day, unless the act provides otherwise. It may provide that it comes into force on a specified day or on a day to be fixed by an order of the Governor in Council. Royal Assent has never been refused to a federal bill in Canada.
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The bill becomes law
For a bill to become law, it must be approved in identical form by both houses of Parliament, the Senate and the House of Commons. This is done through a multi-step process of debate, review, and voting.
First, second, and third readings
Once a bill is introduced in Parliament, it goes through a series of steps designed to ensure that its purpose and effects are carefully considered. This includes first, second, and third readings. During the first reading, the objectives of the bill are explained, and the MPPs decide whether to accept the bill for future debate. If it is accepted, it is assigned a number, printed, and scheduled for a second reading. During the second reading, MPPs debate the principles of the bill. After the debate, the MPPs vote on whether to let the bill proceed to the next step. In some cases, the bill may move directly to the third reading, but often it is first examined by a Standing or Select Committee. During the third reading, MPPs debate the bill for the last time. Following the debate, the Speaker calls for a final vote.
Review by the other chamber
If the bill is passed by a majority of parliamentarians at the third reading in the chamber where it was introduced, it is then sent to the other chamber. When a bill is sent from one chamber to the other, the bill is read again for the first time and goes through the same steps. If the reviewing chamber makes any changes, the bill gets sent back to the initial chamber for further review. Messages may go back and forth between the chambers as amendments are debated.
Royal Assent
Once both the Senate and the House of Commons have passed a bill in identical form, in both official languages, the bill is given to the Governor General for Royal Assent. Royal Assent may be granted by a nod of the head in a traditional Royal Assent ceremony in the Senate Chamber or by the Governor General signing the bill. Royal Assent is the signification of the Sovereign's acceptance of a bill. Once the bill receives Royal Assent, it officially becomes a law.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step in passing a bill into law in Canada is to introduce the bill in either the Senate or the House of Commons.
The second step is to pass the bill through various stages in each House: first, second, and third reading.
The final step is to receive Royal Assent, which is granted by the Governor General or the Lieutenant Governor, agreeing to the bill on behalf of the King.
