In what order does a bill pass through Parliament?
- Committee stage, Royal Assent, first reading, third reading
- First reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, Senate, Royal Assent
- Royal Assent, Senate, first reading, committee stage
- Senate, Supreme Court, House of Commons, Royal Assent
Answer: First reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, Senate, Royal Assent
In the House: first reading (the bill is printed), second reading (debate on its principle), committee stage (study clause by clause), report stage (more amendments) and third reading (debate and vote). The Senate then follows a similar process, and royal assent comes last.
Learn more: How a bill becomes law
- A proposed law before Parliament is called a bill.
- Step 1, first reading: the bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
- Step 2, second reading: members debate the principle of the bill.
- Step 3, committee stage: committee members study the bill clause by clause.
- Step 4, report stage: members can make other amendments.
- Step 5, third reading: members debate and vote on the bill.
- Step 6, Senate: the bill follows a similar process in the Senate, which considers and reviews bills.
- Step 7, royal assent: the final step, granted by the Governor General after both Houses pass the bill.
- Canadians aged 18 or older should take part in democracy by voting in federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections.