Each bill must have three readings in both Houses. After 48 hours written  notice,  a  motion  is  made to obtain  permission to introduce  a bill. The first reading simply introduces the  bill. The  bill is read for the first time and printed for publication. The  second  reading is the most important of the  three.  During this  reading, Members debate the general principles of the  bill and the ideas upon which it is based. Then Members go on to examine the details of the bill. This examination of the bill is done  in what is called the Committee of the Whole House - which means that the entire legislature can debate the bill that is before it.

From  here  the  bill  usually goes to  a  smaller  committee  of members,  called  a standing committee. These are  the  permanent committees  of  the  legislature that often summon  experts  from outside  Parliament to give their views on the  contents  of  the bill. During the second reading there may be changes made to  the bill  as  long  as  these amendments do not  change  its  general objectives.  The next step is the report stage. Any changes  that have  been  made to the bill are reported to the Members  of  the House.  At  this  stage, some Members may  try  to  make  further changes to the bill.

Finally, the bill receives its third reading and is passed by the House  of  Commons. After that it goes to the  Senate,  where  it follows a similar path through that legislature. When the  Senate approves  the bill, it is presented to the Governor  General  for Royal  Assent. Royal Assent is given with the Governor  General's signature. At that time the bill is proclaimed and becomes a law, or in other words, it becomes an Act of Parliament. The text is reprinted as an  Act with a Chapter Number for inclusion in the  Statutes  of Canada.  All bills receiving Royal Assent in a calendar  year  are bound as the Statutes of Canada for that year.