1. How is a federal bill passed into law?
How Laws Are Made
How is a federal bill passed into law?

2. What is a bill?
Bill – a written proposal for a law. It is introduced in parliament and if passed becomes an act.
Act – a bill passed by parliament

3. Types of Bills
Government Bills – are introduced by the governing party
Private Member’s Bill – are introduced by individual MPs without government support
Private member’s bills are less likely to pass into law

4. https://youtu.be/yzflLqk0ksM

5. How does a bill become a law?
House of Commons
1) Pre-parliamentary stage
2) First Reading
3) Second Reading
4) Committee Stage
5) Reporting Stage
6) Third Reading
Senate
7) Same process as the house
8) Royal Assent and proclamation

6. Former Governor General Michaelle Jean
From a Bill to Law
Former Governor General Michaelle Jean
House of Commons
Senate

7. 1 Pre-Parliamentary Stage
An idea is proposed by a cabinet minister, private member or other source
Government bills:
Civil servants investigate and lawyers help to draft the bill
Cabinet and caucus approve bill

8. 2 First Reading The bill is introduced into the House of Commons
Each MP receives a copy of the bill
No vote takes place
Opposition parties begin to discuss what their position on the bill will be

9. 3 Second Reading MPs debate the bill in the House of Commons
Following the debate, a vote is taken
If passed, the bill is approved in principle

10. 4 Committee Stage
A legislative committee involving representatives from each party is set up to debate the bill in depth
Public input is heard
Amendments are proposed as long as they do not alter the core of the bill

11. 5 Reporting Stage
The committee reports to the House of Commons the amendments proposed to the bill
Amendments are voted on

12. 6 Third Reading
The bill with all of its amendments is read and a final vote is held
This brings an end to the legislative process in the House of Commons

13. 7 Senate The same procedures are held in the Senate
Bills usually move through the Senate more quickly
Senators look for ways to improve the bill, but almost always pass it

14. 8 Royal Assent The Governor General recognizes the bill as a law
The bill officially becomes a law after proclamation

15. Designing a Bill We will be playing a bill-to-law game
In preparation for the game you need to write a bill that your classmates will try to pass. This bill must be relevant to Canada and within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Be sure to explain your bill clearly and give it a name – e.g., Clean Air Act
Write your bill on a separate piece of paper with your name on it and hand it in