‹ How Canadians Govern Themselves

Making laws: How a bill becomes law p. 29

  • Members debate the bill's principle. At second reading, members debate the principle of the bill. p. 29
  • Members study the bill clause by clause. Committee members examine the bill clause by clause. p. 29
  • Royal assent. After both Houses pass it, the bill receives royal assent. p. 29
  • It is printed. At first reading the bill is printed. p. 29
  • Report stage. Members can make further amendments at the report stage. p. 29
  • Members debate and vote on the bill. At third reading, members debate the bill and vote on it. p. 29

Constitutional monarchy p. 29

  • A hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King). Canada is a constitutional monarchy, so its Head of State is the Sovereign. p. 29
  • The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister directs the governing of the country; the Sovereign is Head of State. p. 29
  • The Governor General. The Governor General represents the Sovereign at the federal level. p. 29
  • The Lieutenant Governor. Each of the ten provinces has a Lieutenant Governor who represents the Sovereign. p. 29
  • The Premier. The Premier leads a provincial government, like the Prime Minister does federally. p. 29
  • By the Sovereign, on the PM's advice. The Sovereign appoints the Governor General, on the Prime Minister's advice, normally for five years. p. 29

Discover Canada, p. 29. MapleQuiz summary, not official text. Read this chapter on canada.ca