{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

A bill's introduction in the House depends on the type of bill (see Types of Bills<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n

A private bill is introduced by means of a petition signed by the interested parties and presented by an MP who has agreed to sponsor it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Next, the chamber hears a motion that the bill be \"read\" a first time and made available publicly. These motions are purely formal; there is no debate and the bill is not actually read aloud.<\/p>\n\n
This process allows the bill to be made available to the public (on LEGISinfo<\/a>) and to move forward to second reading. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"2b5263f6-59ba-47a7-9756-1431ed1da6a2","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Introduction and First Reading"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Second reading is when the general principle of the bill is debated. This process begins with the sponsoring minister or private member explaining the bill and then proceeds with debate.<\/p>\n\n
At this stage, the bill itself cannot be amended. However, the House can decide to:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t
delay the bill's second reading,<\/li>\n\t
oppose second reading for specific reasons, or<\/li>\n\t
refer the subject matter to a committee before the principle of the bill is approved at second reading. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"0a235d79-414a-4740-babf-52ed2b68ae4c","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Second Reading"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
After second reading, a bill can be referred to a committee for detailed review. This is normally a legislative committee but can also be Committee of the Whole or a standing or special committee.<\/p>\n\n
While traditionally this stage occurs after<\/em> second reading, it is also possible for a bill to be referred to committee before <\/em>second reading. This allows members to examine the principle of the bill and propose amendments that alter its scope. <\/p>\n\n
The committee may receive briefs or hear witnesses, including the sponsoring minister, government officials, interest groups, and individuals. The bill is considered on a clause by clause basis, amended if necessary, and adopted by the committee. The committee then orders that the bill be reported to the House.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"c064a492-a70a-4b2c-b976-566aa32dade1","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Committee Study"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
The committee reports its findings, including proposed amendments, to the chamber. The bill is considered again by the whole House. Further amendments may be proposed and debated at this stage. After the report stage amendments have been voted upon, the bill is ready for third reading.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"6c6681e3-5e5d-4b6b-bd3c-10c8b5488322","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Report Stage"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
The third and final reading allows for a final review of the bill. Debate at this stage focuses on its final form. <\/p>\n\n
Amendments may be proposed at third reading, but they must not contradict the principle of the bill as passed at second reading. In addition, an amendment may be proposed to refer the bill back to committee to be further amended in a specific area, or to reconsider a certain clause or clauses.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"182ab577-a571-470b-bcbf-11b9b722fcf4","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Third Reading"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Once a bill has three readings in the House of Commons, it is then sent to the Senate to be read, debated, and possibly amended, in a process similar to that which occurred in the originating chamber. (For a bill that originates in the Senate, the bill would at this stage be sent to the House of Commons).<\/p>\n\n
If the second chamber amends a bill passed by the originating chamber, those amendments must be sent back to the first chamber for consideration and passage. If the first house cannot concur, reasons must be sent in writing to the second house and a conference may be held between representatives from each house. If the conflict is not resolved, the matter is dropped and the bill dies at the end of the session.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"6b72eef5-d84b-4156-8015-4fe57b0e7553","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Consideration and Passage by the Senate"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Royal Assent is the final stage before a bill becomes an act. The final version of the bill receives approval by a representative of the Crown: the Governor General or their deputy.<\/p>\n\n
After a bill has received Royal Assent, it is assigned a chapter number. This new number has no relation to bill number and can be found on the bill's LEGISinfo<\/a> page. At this point, the act is made available online (see How Laws are Published<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n
The date of Royal Assent is important because it often<\/em> represents the date when the act comes into force (has the full force of the law). However, this is not always <\/em>the case, so checking for commencement information is an important step of the research process (see Coming into Force<\/a>). <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"8f1e59fe-0fd5-4cd0-abee-5c8944a571cf","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Royal Assent"}],"hTag":"h3"}

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Erica Friesen