Laws have to be accurate, well-written, and leave little to interpretation. This is why they’re written in a very specific way in what many people call legalese (re: lots of whereas’s, hereto’s, and subject to’s).

Needless to say, it is just as difficult to write these laws as it is to read them.

So we have found a parliamentarian to introduce a pro-life law. Regardless of whether it is a cabinet minister, opposition party leader or private member, it all goes through the same process (though at different speeds).

First Reading

The very first stage of a bill being introduced in Parliament is known as the first reading.

The member (whether or not a cabinet minister) must provide at least 48 hours’ notice to the Speaker before the member introduces the bill to Parliament. The Speaker will then grant leave to the member to introduce the bill. The bill is tabled with the Clerk of the House of Commons (or Senate) and the member may speak to the bill if they so wish.

It is impossible for the entire chamber of the House of Commons or the Senate to study every piece of legislation in the detail required to create a law. Imagine attending a university where all classes were taught by all professors. Nothing would be accomplished, because the work is too immense.

Report stage

After the bill has been amended and passed at committee it is referred back to the chamber for what is known as report stage. At this point any parliamentarian in the chamber may propose amendments to the bill.

Once all amendments have been debated and voted on at the report stage, the bill goes to a vote. If the amended bill fails, then it is dropped from the Order Paper. If it passes, it goes to third reading.