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Bill S-10 "Penalties for organized drug crime act" - Information Resources
Bill S-10: The path this legislation will follow...
- Introduction: The process begins when a bill is introduced. Bill S-10 was introduced in the Senate by Senator John D. Wallace. Legislation is usually introduced in the House of Commons first, but it's not a requirement.
- First Reading: The bill is “read” for the first time, without debate, and printed. May 5, 2010
- Second Reading: The principle of the bill is debated.It is then voted on and the bill is sent to a Senate committee.
- Committee Stage: A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause by clause, and submits a report recommending the bill be accepted as is, or with amendments, or that it not proceed any further.
- Report Stage: Additional amendments to the bill may be moved, debated and voted on.
- Third Reading: The bill is debated a final time and voted on.
- Message: Once passed, the bill is sent to the House of Commons for approval.
- Royal Assent: The Governor General, or a deputy, gives the bill Royal Assent, meaning that the legislation officially becomes law.
The Rules of Debate explained:
The Senate often makes amendments to bills, generally involving corrections to drafting errors or improvements to administrative aspects. The House normally accepts such amendments.
When debate takes place on Senate amendments, Members must confine their comments to the amendments being considered and may not address other aspects of the bill or the bill as a whole.
The motion for the consideration of Senate amendments itself is open to amendment and sub amendment during debate. In addition, the government may move motions for time allocation and closure to limit or close debate (Standing Orders 78 and 57 respectively).
When the House agrees to the Senate amendments, a message and the bill are sent to the Senate and Royal Assent takes place shortly thereafter.
If the House amends or rejects the Senate amendments, it informs the Senate by way of message.
The Senate may then reconsider its amendments, having regard to the message from the House. It may decide to:
- accept the decision of the House;
- reject that decision and insist that its amendments be maintained;
- or further amend what the House has proposed.
The Senate then sends another message to the House to inform it of the decision. Communication between the two Houses goes on in this way until they ultimately agree on a text. If it is impossible for an agreement to be reached by exchanging messages, a conference between the two Chambers may be requested. This was quite common in the past but has fallen into disuse.
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Don't believe the Conservative spin! |
The false claim that obstructionist Liberal Senators "gutted" Bill C-15 was used by Stephen Harper as justification for stacking the Senate with numerous appointees who "share the government's vision" about getting Tough-on-Crime.™
