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.
