Keith Mack
In Canada, a bill must go through several stages before it can become a law. First, a bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons, where it is debated and voted on. If it passes, it is sent to a committee for further review and potential amendments. The bill then goes back for another round of debate and vote, before being sent to the other chamber, where the process repeats. Once the bill has been passed by both chambers in identical form, it is given to the Governor General for Royal Assent, at which point it becomes a law.
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What You'll Learn
Propose, formulate and draft a bill
Proposing, formulating and drafting a bill is the first step in the process of getting a law passed in Canada. A bill is a proposed law that can be introduced by a parliamentarian in either the Senate or the House of Commons. Most bills are introduced in the House of Commons and then sent to the Senate for review, but they can also start in the Senate and go to the House of Commons.
There are two types of bills: public and private. Public bills relate to public policy and may be sponsored by a Minister (Government bill) or by a private Member (Member's bill). They deal with matters of national interest and affect the whole country. Private bills, on the other hand, benefit a particular individual or group of individuals. They confer a right on some person or group or relieve them of a responsibility.
Once a bill is introduced, it goes through the first reading, where it is made available for parliamentarians and the public to read and examine. At this stage, there is no debate or vote. The bill is then printed, often with explanatory notes.
After the first reading, the bill moves to the second reading in the same House of Parliament. Here, members debate and vote on the principle of the bill. The foundation or main purpose of the bill is discussed, debated, and voted on. If the bill passes this stage, it is sent to a legislative, standing, or special committee for in-depth study and possible amendments. The committee can summon witnesses and experts to provide information and help improve the bill.
The bill then goes back for a final debate and vote, based on the committee's report and any proposed amendments. If it passes this stage, it moves to the third reading, which is the final stage of review for new legislation. Members have a final opportunity to debate and vote on the bill. If it passes the third reading, the bill proceeds to the other chamber of Parliament, where it repeats the same process.
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Introduce the bill to the House of Commons or Senate
To get a law passed in Canada, a bill must be introduced to either the House of Commons or the Senate. This is the first step in the process of turning a bill into law.
Most bills are introduced in the House of Commons, and they can amend or repeal existing laws or contain completely new laws. There are two types of bills: public and private. Public bills relate to public policy and may be sponsored by a Minister (Government bill) or by a private Member (Member's bill). Private bills benefit a particular individual or group.
The first reading of a bill is a formality to introduce the content, and there is no debate or vote at this stage. The bill is printed and made available for review by parliamentarians and the Canadian public.
After the first reading, the bill proceeds to the second reading in the same House of Parliament. Here, members debate and vote on the principle of the bill. The House may refer the bill to a legislative, standing, or special committee, or to a Committee of the Whole. The committee can summon witnesses and experts to provide information and help improve the bill. The committee then reports back to the House, indicating any proposed amendments. The House considers these amendments and votes for or against them.
The bill then proceeds to the third reading, which is the final stage of review. Members have the opportunity to debate and vote on the bill once more. If the bill passes the third reading, it is sent to the other chamber of Parliament (the Senate or the House of Commons, depending on where it was introduced) to repeat a similar process.
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Bill undergoes first, second, and third readings
To become a law in Canada, a bill must pass through various stages in both the House of Commons and the Senate. The first stage is to propose the bill in either the House of Commons or the Senate, depending on the bill's nature and content. Once the proposal is supported by a vote, the bill is introduced for the first reading.
First Reading
The first reading of a bill can start in either the House or the Senate, depending on where the bill was first introduced. This stage is generally a formality to introduce the content, and there is no debate or vote. The bill is printed in its first reading form, often with explanatory notes.
Second Reading
The second reading of the bill takes place after it has been reported out of committee, either the policy or fiscal committee, to the floor of either the Assembly or the Senate. This process occurs whether the bill has been amended or not. The foundation or principle of the bill is discussed, debated, and voted on by members. The House may decide to refer the bill to a legislative, standing, or a special committee, or to a Committee of the Whole. The committee can summon 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 considers these amendments and votes for or against them.
Third Reading
The third reading of a bill is the final stage of review for new legislation. Members have a final opportunity to debate and vote on the bill, focusing on its final form. Once it passes, the bill proceeds to the other chamber of Parliament (the Senate or the House of Commons, depending on where it was introduced) to repeat a similar process.
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Receive Royal Assent
Once a bill has passed the third reading stage in both the House of Commons and the Senate, it must receive Royal Assent to become a law. This is the final step in the enactment process. Royal Assent is granted by the Governor General, who is a symbolic representation of the Crown in Canada. The Governor General may assent to a Bill in the Queen's name, withhold assent, or reserve assent.
Royal Assent may be granted in two ways: by the Governor General or their deputy in a formal ceremony in the Senate Chamber before an assembly of both houses, or by written declaration. When a bill receives Royal Assent in a ceremony, it may be signified by a nod of the head or by the Governor General signing the bill. When Royal Assent is given by written declaration, the Act is deemed to be assented to on the day on which the two Houses of Parliament have been notified of the declaration. Once a bill receives Royal Assent, it is given a chapter number for the Statutes of Canada and officially becomes a law.
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The bill becomes law
Once a bill has been introduced in the Senate or the House of Commons, it must pass through several stages in each House to become law. The first reading is a formality to introduce the content, with no debate or vote. At the second reading, the foundation or principle of the bill is discussed, debated, and voted on. The House may decide to refer the bill to a legislative, standing, or special committee, or to the Committee of the Whole. The committee can summon witnesses and experts to provide information and help improve the bill. The committee then reports the bill to the House, indicating any proposed amendments. The House considers and votes on the amendments, followed by a debate and vote on the amended bill.
The third reading is the final stage of review for new legislation. Members have a final opportunity to debate and vote on the bill. If the bill passes, it proceeds to the other chamber of Parliament (the House of Commons or the Senate) to repeat a similar process. If the reviewing chamber makes any changes, the bill is sent back to the initial chamber for further review. Messages may go back and forth between the chambers as amendments are debated.
Once a bill has passed the third reading stage in both Houses in identical form, it receives Royal Assent. 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 Royal Assent ceremony or by the Governor General signing the bill. Once a bill receives Royal Assent, it officially becomes a law.
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Frequently asked questions
A bill becomes a law in Canada when it is passed by both chambers of Parliament—the Senate and the House of Commons—in identical form, and then receives Royal Assent from the Governor General.
A bill must pass through various stages in both the House of Commons and the Senate in order to be passed by Parliament. These stages include the first, second, and third readings, during which the bill is introduced, debated, and voted on.
During the first reading of a bill, the bill is introduced in either the House of Commons or the Senate, depending on where it was first introduced. This stage is generally a formality to introduce the content, and there is no debate or vote.
During the second reading, the foundation or principle of the bill is discussed, debated, and voted on. If the bill passes, it is sent to a committee that studies it in depth and may suggest changes.
Royal Assent is the final step in the law-making process in Canada. It is granted by the Governor General, who is a symbolic representation of the Crown in Canada. Royal Assent may be given by a nod of the head in a traditional ceremony or by the Governor General signing the bill.
