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 proposed law passed by parliament

3. 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

4. Governor General David Johnston
From a Bill to Law
Governor General David Johnston
House of Commons
Senate

5. 1 Pre-Parliamentary Stage
An idea is proposed by a cabinet minister, private member or other source
Cabinet approves the idea
Civil servants investigate and lawyers help to draft the bill
Cabinet and caucus approve bill

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 5 Reporting Stage
The committee reports to the House of Commons the amendments proposed to the bill
Amendments are voted on

10. 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

11. 7 Senate The same procedures are held in the Senate
Bills move through the Senate quite quickly with little discussion because Senators are not democratically elected

12. 8 Royal Assent The Governor General recognizes the bill as a law
The bill officially becomes a law after proclamation

13. Types of Bills
Government Bills – are introduced by the governing party
Public Bills – have a large impact on all Canadians
Private Bills – deal with private individuals or corporations
Private Member’s Bill – are introduced by individual MPs without government support

14. Designing a Bill Tomorrow 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 can be related to issues at our school or relevant to Canada
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