HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
~ The Legislative Process
The Legislative Process
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
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Making laws in the most important part of parliament.
It has three components: Queen, Senate, and House of
Commons.
Every bill must receive three readings.
A bill officially become a law when it has been passed by the
House of Commons and the Senate, and when it receives royal
accent from the Governor General.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
First Reading

The bill is considered read for the first time and is put into print.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
Second Reading

The principle and purpose of the bill are debated.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
The Committee Stage
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
Following second reading, most bills are referred to a committee.
Committee members study the bill, clause by clause.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
Report Stage

Members can make other amendments (changes) to
the bill.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
Third Reading

Members debate and vote on the bill.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
Bill Enters Senate

The bill follows a similar process in the senate:
 First
reading
 Second reading
 Committee
 Report
 Third reading
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
Royal Accent

The bill receives royal accent by
the Governor General, after
already passing through the House
of Commons and Senate.
First
Reading
Second
Reading
Committee
Stage
Report
Stage
Third
Reading
Senate
Royal
Assent
The Legislative Process