How does a federal bill get passed in Canada?

1. Passage through the first House (sometimes the Senate, usually the House of Commons)

The process in each Chamber is similar:

* First reading (the bill proposing a law is received, printed and circulated)

* Second reading (the principle of the bill is debated: is the bill good policy?)

* Committee stage

Step one: members of the public appear as witnesses before a committee*

Step two: committee members study the bill, clause by clause

Step three: the committee adopts a report on the bill, recommending that it be accepted as is, or with amendments, or that it not be proceeded with further

* Report stage (motions to amend specific clauses of the bill are considered by the whole House)

* Third reading (final approval of the bill)

2. Passage through the second House

3. Royal Assent by the Governor General makes the bill law