A brief overview on how a bill becomes a law in Canada

2. The town of Jupiter has a central park
that is a major recreational centre for
the town residents. In order to maintain
the peacefulness and to minimize noise
pollution in the park, the town enacted
a law prohibiting vehicles in the park,
and posted "No Vehicles in the Park“
signs at every park entrance.

3. Decide if the "No Vehicles in the Park" law has
been violated in each of the following cases.
Each pair should be prepared to give reasons for
its decision.
A teenager went into the park on a skateboard.
A father went into the park with his daughter in a
stroller.
A group of kids went into the park on their roller
blades.
A senior went into the park in his motorized
wheelchair.

4.  Which situations violated the law?
 What problems did you have when using
the law to decide if it was broken?

5.  In pairs, determine if the law has been
violated in each of the following situations:
› The park manager drove a truck full of trees to be
planted in the park.
› A TV mobile unit drove into the park to videotape
the spring concert being performed in the park.
› Andy/Andrea drove his/her car through the park
because he/she was late for work. He/she used the
park as a shortcut.
› An ambulance took a shortcut through the park to
attend to someone suspected of having a heart
attack.
 In pairs, outline the factors you considered
before arriving at your decision

6.  Which situations violated the law?
 What problems did you have when using
the law to decide if it was broken?
 What criteria should be used when
creating a law so that it can be the most
effective?

7. Good Laws (and rules)
› can be enforced;
› can be followed (that is, is within societal
values);
› is fair;
› indicates who is expected to obey it;
› states the penalty for disobeying;
› is in keeping with other laws (that is,
doesn't contradict other laws);
› has no vague or ambiguous words;
› defines words that might be
misunderstood.

8.  Write an improved “No Vehicles…” law
and revise the signs to be posted at park
entrances

9.  Use the eight (8) criteria to critically
assess the EDSS Dress Code
 Based on your assessment, write an
improved dress code for EDSS
› (or rewrite the existing code)

12.  Parliament is responsible for making and
changing laws
› House of Commons (308 elected members;
represent a riding; 4-year terms)
› Senate (105 appointed members; represent
a region; till age 75)

14.  Some members of the Executive Branch
are also in Parliament as members of the
Legislative Branch
› Prime Minister – elected MP and leader of
the Government
› Cabinet Members – elected MPs and heads
of Departments

15. Copy this chart and fill
in the boxes as wel
learn about ‘How a Bill
is Passed’. Your
flowchart should look
exactly like the one on
this slide—it must
contain all necessary
information (including
a description for each
of the stages).

16.  Bills are:
› Proposed legislation
› Three types
› Most are Government Bills
introduced by a Cabinet
Minister
› Some are introduced by
other MPs and are called
Private Members’ Bills
› Senate Bills are introduced
in the Senate by Senators
 To become law, billsTo become law, bills
must:must:
 Pass three (3) readings inPass three (3) readings in
each chamber (House ofeach chamber (House of
Commons and Senate)Commons and Senate)

Have ‘Royal Assent’Have ‘Royal Assent’

18. Private Member’s Bills

19.  First Reading
› Introduction (statement of
purpose) and vote
 Second Reading
› Debate, discussion and vote
 Committee Stage
› Close examination of the bill
by MPs of all parties
› Public input sometimes
requested
› Report Stage including any
changes (amendments)
 Third Reading
› More debate and final vote

20.  Senate
› After approval in the House of
Commons
› Goes through the same stages
› May send a bill back to the
House of Commons
› Usually passes government bills
 Royal Assent (approval)Royal Assent (approval)
 By the Governor General onBy the Governor General on
behalf of the queenbehalf of the queen
 The final stage in the creationThe final stage in the creation
of a lawof a law

25.  http://www.acjnet.org/teacher/noveh.htm
 http://edss.wrdsb.on.ca/