HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW ~ The Legislative Process

The Legislative Process  Making laws in the most important part of parliament.  It has three components: Queen, Senate, and House of Commons.  Every bill must receive three readings.  A bill officially become a law when it has been passed by the House of Commons and the Senate, and when it receives royal accent from the Governor General. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

First Reading  The bill is considered read for the first time and is put into print. The bill is considered read for the first time and is put into print. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

Second Reading  The principle and purpose of the bill are debated. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

The Committee Stage  Following second reading, most bills are referred to a committee.  Committee members study the bill, clause by clause. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

Report Stage  Members can make other amendments (changes) to the bill. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

Third Reading  Members debate and vote on the bill. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

Bill Enters Senate  The bill follows a similar process in the senate:  First reading  Second reading  Committee  Report  Third reading First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

Royal Accent  The bill receives royal accent by the Governor General, after already passing through the House of Commons and Senate. First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Report Stage Third Reading Senate Royal Assent

The Legislative Process