How a Bill becomes a How a Bill becomes a LawLaw

The basicsThe basics

The process begins when an idea is The process begins when an idea is discussed and approved by the discussed and approved by the Cabinet, then made into a bill.Cabinet, then made into a bill.

This “idea” is proposed to make the This “idea” is proposed to make the lives of Canadians better in hopes lives of Canadians better in hopes that it will pass and be signedthat it will pass and be signed

The lawmaking process starts with a The lawmaking process starts with a bill- a proposal to create a new law or bill- a proposal to create a new law or to change an existing one.to change an existing one.

Most bills considered by Parliament Most bills considered by Parliament are public bills (concern matters of are public bills (concern matters of the public)the public) ie: taxes and spendingie: taxes and spending Health and other social programsHealth and other social programs Defense and the environment Defense and the environment

A bill can be introduced in the House of A bill can be introduced in the House of Commons (C-bills) or the Senate (S-bills)Commons (C-bills) or the Senate (S-bills)

Most public bills get their start in the Most public bills get their start in the CommonsCommons

A bill goes through certain formal stages in A bill goes through certain formal stages in each house which include a series of three each house which include a series of three “readings” during which parliamentarians “readings” during which parliamentarians debate the billdebate the bill

There are four (4) things than can be done There are four (4) things than can be done to a billto a bill 1. Can be passed1. Can be passed 2. Can be amended 2. Can be amended 3. Can be delayed3. Can be delayed 4. Can be defeated4. Can be defeated

How a bill becomes a law at How a bill becomes a law at the Federal levelthe Federal level

Before we begin: the bill is introduced to Before we begin: the bill is introduced to the House of Commons (308 elected MP’s)the House of Commons (308 elected MP’s)

First ReadingFirst Reading:: The bill is “read” for the The bill is “read” for the first time without debate and printed. first time without debate and printed. Members have a chance to read its termsMembers have a chance to read its terms..

Second ReadingSecond Reading: : The principle of the The principle of the bill is debated. The bill is then voted on in bill is debated. The bill is then voted on in the House of Commons and sent to a the House of Commons and sent to a parliamentary committee. parliamentary committee.

Committee StageCommittee Stage: : A committee A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill in hears witnesses, examines the bill in detail, clause by clause, and submits detail, clause by clause, and submits a report with or without a report with or without amendments. Necessary changes in amendments. Necessary changes in wording are made.wording are made.

Report StageReport Stage: : Additional Additional amendments to the bill may be amendments to the bill may be moved, debated and voted on.moved, debated and voted on.

Third ReadingThird Reading: : The bill is debated a The bill is debated a final time and voted on by the House final time and voted on by the House of Commons. It is either accepted or of Commons. It is either accepted or rejected at this stage.rejected at this stage.

MessageMessage: : The bill is sent to the The bill is sent to the other House, where the process other House, where the process starts again from first reading. starts again from first reading.

The bill is now at the The bill is now at the Senate…Senate…

Once the bill passes through the House of Once the bill passes through the House of Commons, the process starts over again at Commons, the process starts over again at the Senate (105 appointed senators)the Senate (105 appointed senators)

First ReadingFirst Reading: : Bill is introduced by a brief Bill is introduced by a brief statement and no debatestatement and no debate

Second ReadingSecond Reading: : Reason for bill is Reason for bill is explained. The bill is debated on explained. The bill is debated on principles, its strengths, weaknesses; may principles, its strengths, weaknesses; may be changedbe changed

Committee of the Whole (senate):Committee of the Whole (senate): Examines bill clause by clause, makes Examines bill clause by clause, makes changes and improvements. Bill is changes and improvements. Bill is voted onvoted on

Third ReadingThird Reading : :Usually brief debate. Usually brief debate. Bill is voted on. Senate can stop a bill Bill is voted on. Senate can stop a bill but rarely does because Senators not but rarely does because Senators not elected. May send bill back to the elected. May send bill back to the HouseHouse

Royal AssentRoyal Assent

The bill becomes an act of Parliament The bill becomes an act of Parliament when the Governor-General gives it when the Governor-General gives it Royal Assent by signing it. The bill is Royal Assent by signing it. The bill is nownow law. law.

What is “Royal Assent”?What is “Royal Assent”? In this final stage of the legislative process, In this final stage of the legislative process,

the three elements of Parliament assemble the three elements of Parliament assemble to take part in the ancient tradition, rich in to take part in the ancient tradition, rich in symbolism, by which a bill becomes law. A symbolism, by which a bill becomes law. A representative of the Sovereign, sometimes representative of the Sovereign, sometimes the Governor General but more often a the Governor General but more often a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada judge of the Supreme Court of Canada acting as a deputy of the Governor General, acting as a deputy of the Governor General, enters the Senate chamber and takes a seat enters the Senate chamber and takes a seat on the dais. The senators are in their seats. on the dais. The senators are in their seats. The Usher of the Black Rod calls members The Usher of the Black Rod calls members of the House of Commons to the Senate…of the House of Commons to the Senate…

Led by their Speaker, the members of Led by their Speaker, the members of the House of Commons gather at the the House of Commons gather at the rear of the Senate chamber. The rear of the Senate chamber. The parliamentarians of both houses, by parliamentarians of both houses, by their presence, give witness to the fact their presence, give witness to the fact that Canadians request of the Sovereign that Canadians request of the Sovereign that the bill be made a law and consent that the bill be made a law and consent to being governed by it. The title of the to being governed by it. The title of the bill is read aloud, the representative of bill is read aloud, the representative of the Sovereign nods to signify assent, the Sovereign nods to signify assent, and the bill becomes law…and the bill becomes law…

A bill that becomes law may come A bill that becomes law may come into force on the day of royal assent into force on the day of royal assent or on some later day provided for in or on some later day provided for in the bill. The bill is sent to the bill. The bill is sent to Government House for signature at a Government House for signature at a later date. The signed original is later date. The signed original is finally placed in the archives of the finally placed in the archives of the Clerk of the Senate who is also the Clerk of the Senate who is also the Clerk of the Parliaments.Clerk of the Parliaments.

Amending legislationAmending legislation

The Senate plays a key role in amending The Senate plays a key role in amending bills passed by the House of Commons. bills passed by the House of Commons. Senators have the expertise to put a bill Senators have the expertise to put a bill “under the microscope” and examine it in “under the microscope” and examine it in detail, and the Senate timetable is flexible detail, and the Senate timetable is flexible enough to allow longer periods of study. enough to allow longer periods of study. The end product is a more effective and The end product is a more effective and long-lasting piece of legislation.long-lasting piece of legislation.

When a bill is amended, the aspects of the When a bill is amended, the aspects of the bill usually get closer scrutiny by the bill usually get closer scrutiny by the government, media, or both.government, media, or both.

Defeating billsDefeating bills

Canada’s constitution gives either Canada’s constitution gives either house of Parliament the power to house of Parliament the power to defeat proposed legislation sent to it defeat proposed legislation sent to it by the other house.by the other house.

This is called the “veto” power.This is called the “veto” power. Senators rarely veto a bill as they are Senators rarely veto a bill as they are

not electednot elected

Delaying billsDelaying bills

The Senate can also delay a bill, or The Senate can also delay a bill, or decide not to act on it.decide not to act on it.

Without being formally rejected, a Without being formally rejected, a delayed bill dies at the end of the delayed bill dies at the end of the session.session.

In some cases, the Senate can delay In some cases, the Senate can delay a bill in order to give it more careful a bill in order to give it more careful scrutiny and to draw greater public scrutiny and to draw greater public attention to the issue at hand.attention to the issue at hand.

Bills trying to be passed right Bills trying to be passed right nownow

Bill: Bill: C-320C-32040th Parliament, 2nd Session40th Parliament, 2nd SessionTabled byTabled by: Linda Duncan, NDP: Linda Duncan, NDP

Tabled onTabled on: February 23, 2009: February 23, 2009

Topic:Topic: National Hockey Day Act National Hockey Day ActDescriptionDescription: An Act respecting a : An Act respecting a National Hockey Day (National National Hockey Day (National Hockey Day Act)Hockey Day Act)StatusStatus: First Reading on 2009-02-23 : First Reading on 2009-02-23

Bill: Bill: C-6C-640th Parliament, 2nd Session40th Parliament, 2nd SessionTabled byTabled by: Leona Aklukkag, Conservative: Leona Aklukkag, Conservative

Tabled onTabled on: 2009-01-29 : 2009-01-29

TopicTopic: Canada Consumer Product Safety : Canada Consumer Product Safety ActActDescriptionDescription: An Act respecting the safety : An Act respecting the safety of consumer products (Canada Consumer of consumer products (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act)Product Safety Act)StatusStatus: First Reading in the Senate on : First Reading in the Senate on 2009-06-16 2009-06-16

Bill: Bill: C-252C-25240th Parliament, 2nd Session40th Parliament, 2nd SessionTabled byTabled by: Pat Martin, NDP: Pat Martin, NDPTabled onTabled on: 2009-01-26: 2009-01-26TopicTopic: abolition of the cent: abolition of the centDescriptionDescription: An Act to amend the : An Act to amend the Currency Act and the Royal Canadian Currency Act and the Royal Canadian Mint Act (abolition of the cent)Mint Act (abolition of the cent)StatusStatus: First Reading on 2009-01-26 : First Reading on 2009-01-26

Bill: Bill: C-24C-2440th Parliament, 2nd Session40th Parliament, 2nd SessionTabled byTabled by: Stockwell Day, Conservative: Stockwell Day, ConservativeTabled onTabled on: 2009-03-26: 2009-03-26TopicTopic: Peruvian Free Trade: Peruvian Free TradeDescriptionDescription: An Act to implement the Free : An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Peru, the Agreement on the Republic of Peru, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Peru and the Agreement on Republic of Peru and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Peru (Canada-Peru Free the Republic of Peru (Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.)Trade Agreement Implementation Act.)StatusStatus: Royal Assent on 2009-06-18 : Royal Assent on 2009-06-18

Bill: Bill: C-229C-22940th Parliament, 2nd Session40th Parliament, 2nd SessionTabled byTabled by: Mark Hollans, Liberal: Mark Hollans, Liberal

Tabled onTabled on: 2009-01-26: 2009-01-26TopicTopic: cruelty to animals: cruelty to animalsDescriptionDescription: An Act to amend the : An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals)Criminal Code (cruelty to animals)StatusStatus: First Reading on 2009-01-26 : First Reading on 2009-01-26