1. Review
CHAPTER 1

2. 308 elected Members of Parliament (MPs)
Senate – Appointed
75 years old
Variety of pol. Parties
Rep. minorities
Can reject bills
Sober 2nd thought
HoC – Elected
One riding
By population
In a pol. Party
308 elected Members of Parliament (MPs)
Cabinet – 30 members chosen by PM from majority party in HoC. Are MPs. Each responsible for a portfolio. Proposes most laws, responsible for all legislation, including raising of taxes.

3. The Executive Branch
Proposes most laws
Puts laws into action
Runs the daily business of government

4. The Legislative Branch
Makes laws
Represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions

5. The Judicial Branch
Applies laws
Interprets laws

6. The journey of a BILL through our government
HOW DO LAWS BECOME LAWS?
The journey of a BILL through our government

7. The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH of government can propose all the bills it wants to, but only some of them will survive the long journey to becoming a real law.

8. Steps:
Bill proposed
“First Reading”: The bill is printed out and distributed to members of the House of Commons. There is no debate, no vote, just a reading of the proposed bill. Hence why this is called the “First Reading”
Woot Woot! This is the first time I get introduced to the house of commons!

9. SECOND READING Everyone has now had the chance to READ the new bill
It comes back to the House of Commons and there is a DEBATE and a VOTE on the PRINCIPLE of the bill – is it worth our time??

10. The bill could be sent to the COMMITTEE STAGE to be studied
The bill COULD BE REJECTED right then and there during the second reading and we would hear no more from little Billy….
OR!!!!
The bill could be sent to the COMMITTEE STAGE to be studied
I might be going through some big changes!

11. THE COMMITTEE STAGE! This is a DETAILED STUDY of the bill
A committee of MP’s or Senators reviews the bill with the help of witnesses, including experts and citizens (a committee).
The committee issues a report with recommendations.

12. There are a few things that could happen with the committee stage
The bill gets ACCEPTED
The bill gets AMENDED
(changed)
The bill gets REJECTED
WOW YOU LOOK DIFFERENT!!!!

13. If the bill had been rejected, it would be bye-bye Billy!
If the bill gets amended or accepted, it goes to the REPORT STAGE.
In this stage there is another DEBATE, and a VOTE on the amendments, or changes to the bill.
If the bill had been rejected, it would be bye-bye Billy!
I am so glad you weren’t rejected Billy!

14. THE THIRD READING
After the report stage, the bill goes to a third reading, whether they made new amendments or not.
During the third reading there is another DEBATE and VOTE on the final form of the bill.
IF THE BILL IS ACCEPTED IT IS FINISHED ITS TIME IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS!!!!!
But…..
It goes through the same steps in the SENATE.

15. In the Senate (This is the same as in the House of Commons)
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
stage
Study
Bill
Amend
Bill
Report
stage
Third
Reading
Accept
Bill
Accept
Bill
The Senate usually accepts bills, although sometimes they do amend them. Bills are rarely rejected by the Senate.

16. All you need now is Royal Assent.
This is a formality.
The Governor General ALWAYS gives assent!
Congrats Billy, you made it!

17. The usual, basic path of law making in Canada is:
House of
Commons
Senate
Royal
Assent
Every once in a while, there is a bill that makes an extra loop back to the HofC

18. One last time through
The bill goes through a first reading, or introduction
The bill is sent to a second reading where it is debated and voted on
The bill then goes to a committee stage to be studied and amended
Then comes the report stage where there is a debate and vote on the amendments made to the bill
Finally there is a third reading in which there is a final debate and vote.
The bill is then sent to the senate to go through the same steps
At the very end of everything, if approved, the bill becomes a law after the Governor General gives Royal assent

19. AND FINALLY WE HAVE A LAW THE END

20. Lobbyists Legally organized interest groups
Influence government decision making
Knowledgeable in their interest
For hire

21. I understand… How laws are passed
How the different branches of the federal political system (executive, legislative and judicial) work together
How MPs and senators are chosen/appointed
Who MPs and senators answer to
The role federal political parties play
How the media plays a role in political issues
The role of lobby groups and how they impact government decision making