The document outlines the process for how a bill becomes a law in Canada. It begins with the Cabinet deciding which issues require new legislation and having the public service investigate policy alternatives. The Cabinet then introduces a new bill or proposes changes to existing laws. A bill goes through several readings and stages of debate in both the House of Commons and Senate, including opportunities for public and expert input at the committee stage. If passed by both houses, the bill receives royal assent from the Governor General and becomes law.

1. Government How a Bill Becomes A Law
and Politics

2. Who makes law?

3. Who makes law?
• Any member of the House of Commons or Senate
may introduce a bill
• Private member’s bill = a bill that does not come
from Cabinet
• The Cabinet usually controls which bills are
introduced

4. The Cabinet
• The Cabinet decides which issues require new
legislation
• The public service investigates policies and
alternatives, and reports to the minister in charge
• The minister then reports to Cabinet
• A decision is made to introduce a new law, or
change and existing one

5. Order-in-Council
• The Cabinet can also agree on an Order-in-Council
• Technically they are issued by the Governor General,
but in practice the decision is made by Cabinet
• These have the force of law without having to pass
through Parliament
• Often are regulations authorized by existing acts of
Parliament

7. First Reading
• A formality, introduces
the bill without debate
• Bill is printed and given
a number
• “C” for Commons
• “S” for Senate

8. Second Reading
• First debate
• The bill is debated
generally
• A vote is taken on the
principle of the bill

9. Committee
• Bill is sent to committee
for in depth study
• Opportunity for public
and expert input
• Amendments suggested

10. Report Stage
• Committees propose
amendments
• Amendments are
considered and voted
on
• House members debate
and suggest further
changes for the bill

11. Third Reading
• House accepts or rejects
the amended bill
• Final opportunity for
debate
• A vote is held to pass
the bill in the House

12. Senate
• The bill is sent to the
Senate
• The process repeats
through the Senate

13. Royal Assent
• Also called Formal
Assent
• Once signed, the bill
becomes law