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
6.
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
