The Sequence in Passing a Bill
1) FIRST READING: Bill is tabled in either the House of Commons or the Senate; the person introducing it gives a brief explanation.
2) SECOND READING: Debate takes place on the principles of the bill; a vote is taken.
3) COMMITTEE STAGE: Clause by clause consideration of the bill; hearing of witnesses; a vote is taken.
4) REPORTING STAGE: Debate on both principles and details of the bill; vote on any amendments proposed by the committee.
5) THIRD READING: Vote is taken on the entire bill, with amendments; debate at this stage is rare.
6) Bill is introduced in the other chamber of Parliament; the process described above is repeated.
7) ROYAL ASSENT: Governor General signs the bill and it becomes law.
2) SECOND READING: Debate takes place on the principles of the bill; a vote is taken.
3) COMMITTEE STAGE: Clause by clause consideration of the bill; hearing of witnesses; a vote is taken.
4) REPORTING STAGE: Debate on both principles and details of the bill; vote on any amendments proposed by the committee.
5) THIRD READING: Vote is taken on the entire bill, with amendments; debate at this stage is rare.
6) Bill is introduced in the other chamber of Parliament; the process described above is repeated.
7) ROYAL ASSENT: Governor General signs the bill and it becomes law.
Detailed Descriptions of Passing a Bill Process:
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Party Solidarity Scenario:
After a bill is introduced in for the 1st reading, each party breaks into a special meeting called "caucus".
The room is locked and only members of that party are allowed in.
In the caucus room, MP's are allowed to debate the bill and honestly speak about whether they support the bill or not.
The MP's are then told how they are to vote on this bill according to the party's belief.
***Note this is NOT very democratic. The MP's are supposed to be voting how their constituents back home would vote...NOT the party telling them HOW to vote.***
This is where the party whip starts to work the room and see that everybody will vote the way they are told...if you disagree with the party vote, the party whip will start to pressure you. This is called "party solidarity".
After the 3rd Reading, the voting begins immediately. A giant electronic scorecard is lowered with all the MP's names on it.
The vote is done quickly with electronic clickers and how the MP voted is publicly recorded.
If you did not vote the way the party told you, you will now be punished.
Since you broke party solidarity, you are now kicked out of your party caucus. You will not be allowed to sit with the other MP's from your party. You are in exile...you have no power to bring forward a bill...you only have one vote out of 338...you have few if any allies....the voters back home may think you are brave, but you are now powerless to influence to government for them...you will probably never be an MP again after the next election.
The Canadian system of government is very much a system of political parties...if you do not belong to one of the 3-4 top parties, you will probably not have much political power.
The room is locked and only members of that party are allowed in.
In the caucus room, MP's are allowed to debate the bill and honestly speak about whether they support the bill or not.
The MP's are then told how they are to vote on this bill according to the party's belief.
***Note this is NOT very democratic. The MP's are supposed to be voting how their constituents back home would vote...NOT the party telling them HOW to vote.***
This is where the party whip starts to work the room and see that everybody will vote the way they are told...if you disagree with the party vote, the party whip will start to pressure you. This is called "party solidarity".
After the 3rd Reading, the voting begins immediately. A giant electronic scorecard is lowered with all the MP's names on it.
The vote is done quickly with electronic clickers and how the MP voted is publicly recorded.
If you did not vote the way the party told you, you will now be punished.
Since you broke party solidarity, you are now kicked out of your party caucus. You will not be allowed to sit with the other MP's from your party. You are in exile...you have no power to bring forward a bill...you only have one vote out of 338...you have few if any allies....the voters back home may think you are brave, but you are now powerless to influence to government for them...you will probably never be an MP again after the next election.
The Canadian system of government is very much a system of political parties...if you do not belong to one of the 3-4 top parties, you will probably not have much political power.
Vote of Non-Confidence
--When a leading party proposes an important bill and they lose the vote. Then the leading party has lost the confidence of the house.
--This "NO" vote is called the vote of non-confidence because if succeeded, the government topples and a new election is held because the governing party lost the confidence of the house.
--This "NO" vote is called the vote of non-confidence because if succeeded, the government topples and a new election is held because the governing party lost the confidence of the house.
Canadian Constitution
The Canadian constitution is the "blueprint" for our nation that defines who has what powers.
It is made up of 3 parts:
1) British North American (BNA) Act which created Canada.
2) Charter of Rights and Freedoms
3) Constitution Act of 1982.
The constitution is flexible that allows the government to add or take out sections in it if necessary.
In order to change the constitution, a component in it dictates how it can be done. This is called the Amending Formula.
It is made up of 3 parts:
1) British North American (BNA) Act which created Canada.
2) Charter of Rights and Freedoms
3) Constitution Act of 1982.
The constitution is flexible that allows the government to add or take out sections in it if necessary.
In order to change the constitution, a component in it dictates how it can be done. This is called the Amending Formula.
Amending Formula
--7 out of 10 provinces must agree in order for something in the constitution can be changed.
--Out of the 7 provinces that agreed, the numbers must contain at least 50% of Canada's population represented.
--Since 1982, nothing new has been added or taken out of the constitution
--Out of the 7 provinces that agreed, the numbers must contain at least 50% of Canada's population represented.
--Since 1982, nothing new has been added or taken out of the constitution
Review Worksheet
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