Moving a Bill through Parliament

1.- First reading

-         Bill receives no discussion or debate

-         Reading announces publicity the proposed policy

2.- Second reading

-         Members of Parliament debate strengths and weaknesses of bill

-         Debate examines values and politics of bills

3.-Committee

-         Small group studies details of bill

-         Hearings may be open to public

-         Bill is changed and improved

4.- Third reading

-         Bill as changed is read in the House of Commons

-         Members of Parliament vote on it

5.- The Senate

-         Bill receives here three readings as well

-         Bill may be changed

-         Senate cannot stop a bill but can hold it up

6.- Bill passed

-         The Queen signs the bill

-         Bill becomes an act of Parliament

-         It is now law