Did you know that the Legislative assembly is the place where ideas are presented and made into laws? Laws begin as ideas, and then ideas become bills. A bill is like a rough draft explaining the idea for a law. Bills go through a special procedure called the Legislative process to become laws or acts.

The legislative process is important, because Members of Parliament make sure that before an idea, becomes a bill and finally a law or act that the idea is worthwhile. During the legislative process, a bill is discussed, and the public can come and express their opinions so that changes to a bill can be made before becoming a law.

Creating a law is just like the process of writing. First, you start with an idea of what to write about, second you write a rough draft, third you add details and edit your work making sure it is clear for the reader and finally you publish it.

A cabinet minister usually presents government bills or “public bills” into the House of Commons. Government bills usually have something to do with the government's plan to spend public money or raise taxes. Bills are supposed to be good for Canada, like providing more public housing for people who are forced to live in the city street. Other types of bills are called Private Members’ bill or private bills.

The Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada is made up of nine judges appointed by the Prime Minister. It only considers cases that involve legal questions of fundamental importance. The purpose of the Supreme Court is to interpret laws and acts passed by federal and provincial governments to ensure that they abide by The Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Constitution.

Step 1: The First Reading
This is when a Member of Parliament presents the bill. A bill is a document that explains the proposed law. Usually a bill is presented by a Cabinet minister, but not always. During the first reading, there are no debates or votes.

Step 2: The Second Reading
This is when Members of Parliament discuss and debate as a group, the advantages and disadvantages of a bill.

Step 3: Standing Committee
The bill is sent to be studied by a group of Members of Parliament called a standing committee. A standing committee is made up MPs from all the political parties, so that all points of view are taken into consideration when studying a bill with a specific issue. For instance, there are standing committees that study all bills to do with agriculture. This is also the time when experts and other members of the public may appear before the committee to present their view.

Step 4: The Report Stage
Any changes or amendments suggested by the standing committee are discussed in the House of Commons.

Step 5: The Third Reading

The bill is debated in its final form and voted on two more times.

Step 6: Royal Assent
Once the bill has been passed three times in the House of Commons, it must be approved by the senate and signed by the Governor General. The bill is now an official law.

You have been asked by the federal cabinet to ask for funding to guarantee students a healthy snack everyday. Turn this idea into a bill and then do a pretend vote as a class to turn it into a law.

1. Using the information from the reading, and your own ideas explain why the legislative process is important.

2. What are the six steps in how our laws are made?

3. What is the purpose of a standing committee?

4. Circle the right answer:

Laws begin as ideas, and then ideas become bills.

Bills go through a special procedure called the law process to become laws or acts.

A cabinet minister usually presents government bills or “public bills” into the House of Commons.