How a Government Bill becomes Law

How a Government Bill becomes Law - Ontario

The following guide will explain the process by which a typical government initiated bill becomes law. Adapted from Ontario Legislative Library guide #1.

FIRST READING
1. Bill is introduced in the Legislature and given First Reading and put on the agenda of the Legislature.
2. Minister may make statement or explanation of purposes of bill
3. compendium of background information is supplied to Opposition critics
4. bill is printed and distributed

SECOND READING
1. After debate concludes, Speaker puts question on the motion for Second Reading
  - Otherwise Bill is referred to a Standing or Select Committee or a Committee of the Whole House as designated by the Minister.
- SELECT OR STANDING COMMITTEE
  1. Bill may, by unanimous consent, be ordered for Third Reading
  2. If unanimous consent is not given, Bill is referred to Committee of the Whole House for further consideration
- COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
  1. When Committee of the Whole House reports Bill to House, Bill is ordered for Third Reading

THIRD READING
- Debate is more restricted than at Second Reading and is limited to contents of the Bill
- No amendments to text of Bill may be moved at this stage
- After debate concludes, Speaker puts question on motion for Third Reading

ROYAL ASSENT
- Bill is presented to the Lieutenant Governor for assent
- Lieutenant Governor may assent to Bill in the Queen's name, withhold assent or reserve assent
- When Bill is given Royal Assent it becomes an Act and is given a statute number and reprinted

IN FORCE
- Statute is in force:
  - upon Royal Assent, or
  - when it is proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor, or
  - on a day specified in the act
- Different sections may come into force at different times

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Queen's University Libraries at Kingston, Canada
http://library.queensu.ca/webdoc/guides/bills_ontario.html
25 January 2002