Where is CAFA in the Parliamentary Process?
CAFA's Position in the Parliamentary Process
CAFA is currently at First Reading in the Senate.
The Parliamentary Process
There are five steps in the legislative process within each Chamber of Parliament: first reading, second reading, committee study, report stage and third reading. Each reading is resolved by a vote where Members decide whether the bill should proceed to the next step or if it should be defeated and removed from consideration. The sponsor of a bill in each Chamber is responsible for calling for a vote when he or she wishes to proceed to the next reading or for a final vote on the bill.
First reading is essentially a formality to introduce the bill and there is no debate or vote.
During second reading, the principle of the bill is reflected and ultimately voted upon. There is no opportunity to amend the bill at this stage, only debate. Once the bill is adopted at second reading, it gets referred to a committee (or several committees) for the Committee Study. It is rare, but possible, for a bill to not be sent to committee after second reading in the Senate. This tends to happen when a pre-study was undertaken while the bill was still in the other Chamber or if it gets dealt with through a Committee of the Whole, which is normally reserved for urgent bills.
In the selected committee(s), the study is under the management of the committee itself, which often designates a steering committee to oversee the timeline and nature of the study. However, such has been done recently, a committee may choose for decision-making powers on important matters to remain among all committee members. Committee studies imply hearing witnesses and completing a clause-by-clause review, i.e., reading all the sections of the bill to approve or amend them. The committee then drafts a report with its proposals that will be sent back to the Chamber. A report can propose adopting the bill as is, propose amendments, propose the bill be defeated and/or make observations. If the bill is reported back to the Senate without amendment, it can pass directly to third reading, however, if the report recommends amendment or defeat of a bill, these recommendations can be considered by the Senate at report stage.
At Report Stage, the Chamber considers and votes on the report of the committee. If the Chamber adopts a report proposing the bill proceed with amendments, the bill enters its final stage. If the Chamber adopts a report proposing the bill be defeated, the bill does not proceed and is defeated. The Chamber may also choose to not adopt the committee report, in which case the bill will proceed to third reading in its original form prior to committee study.
Third reading focuses on debating specific provisions within the bill. New amendments can still be proposed at this stage in Chamber. At the end of third reading, a vote is called, and it is decided whether the bill is approved or defeated. If one Chamber amends the bill as adopted by the other Chamber, then the bill is returned to the other Chamber until there is agreement between both Chambers on the exact text of the bill.
Once both Chambers agree on the exact same wording of the bill, it receives Royal Assent from the Governor General and becomes law. However, many bills contain a coming into force provision which may specify that the requirements of the law or sections of it do not take effect until a specified date in the future.
Read more about how to Navigate the Legislative Process.
Access information about Bill S-238 on LegisInfo.