The Legislative Branch of the Government

 Any member of the Senate or House of Commons can introduce a bill  Bills typically introduced by the Cabinet (made up of elected party members picked by the Prime Minister)  Private member’s bill (this is only if someone not in Cabinet tries to introduce a bill)

 Cabinet decides what issues need new legislation  Research, report to minister in charge, minister reports to Cabinet, and Cabinet decides how to change a law or create a new one

 Once they have an idea of how to change things, lawyers draft a bill (because apparently it needs to be in legal jargon)

 Governing party’s caucus meets, discusses the bill in private, and decides on any changes that should happen  Now the bill is ready for debate

 3 readings in order for a bill to become a law  First Reading—just a formality; no debate the bill is just introduced (allows opposition and media to know what is going on)  Second Reading—where the idea behind the bill is debated ▪ Parliamentary committee studies bill and works out details; public can also have a say  Third Reading—House accepts or rejects bill

 If the House accepts the bill after the third reading, it moves on to the Senate  Senate also does three readings of it  Senate rarely rejects a bill that has passed through the House, but it can recommend further changes

 After a bill has gone through all of its readings, it goes to the Governor General to be signed and given “royal assent”  The bill then becomes a law