Passing Legislation

Recap from YesterdayHow a bill becomes a Law FederalPassing a Law in the USHow a bill becomes a Law ProvincialLaws at the Municipal LevelDeveloping PolicyTo do review questions

Passing LegislationRecap from YesterdayTry to answer the following questions without the use of your notes.What are the 3 branches of government and what role do each of them play?What are cabinet ministers? What is their role and how do they get their job?What is the role of the Governor General? Bonus Question who is our current governor general?Name 3 different people in the House of Commons and describe their role in the House

How a Bill becomes a Law at the Federal LevelFirst ReadingBill is read for the first time and printedSecond ReadingMPs debate the bills strengths and weaknessesPublic debate begins examining values and politics of the billCommitteeGroup involving members from opposing parties study details of billPublic HearingsBill is changed/improvedThird ReadingMPs debate and vote on the billThe SenateBill receives 3 readingsBill is changed/passedSenate cant stop a bill but they can slow it downRoyal AssentBill passed by both housesThe Queen/GG signs the billBill becomes lawBill is DefeatedBill dies and does not become lawBill PassedBill ChangedCreating a Law in the USWatch the following video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxT7QjlvDqM. This explains how the process works in the US.While watching the video replace:Congressman with MPHouse of Representatives with House of CommonsPresident with Queen/Governor General

How does this process compare to the process in Canada? Explain the similarities and differences.

Passing a Bill at the Provincial LevelCreating a Law at the provincial level is very similar to that at the Federal levelThe bill goes through the following steps:First Reading Second Reading (or Standing Committee to review bill prior to sending for a second reading) Standing Committee (or Whole House Committee) Third Reading Royal Assent

Major change in process at the provincial level: the bill does not have to go to the Senate (the Senate doesnt exist at the Provincial level!)

Policies and Laws at the Municipal LevelRegardless of size, all municipalities are governed by a council elected by the citizens of the municipality.At the municipal level, laws are passed by a council through a simple majority vote.The role of Councillors:Representing their constituents at council, for example defending a neighbourhood decision to retain a park and not allow developmentRepresenting their municipality and their constituents at community eventsDeveloping and supporting policies that guide the services provided by the municipalityPassing laws, known at the municipal level as by-laws, such as parking and noise by-laws, to regulate the actions of people and businesses in the municipalitySitting on council committees such as the waste management or the budget committeeDeciding on what services and level of service the municipality should offer and how to pay for them, within the parameters of provincial legislationWorking with other agencies involved in similar issues, for example housing, social services, environment and transportation.

Developing PolicyA policy is a plan or statement that embraces identified goals and sets the course of action to achieve those goals.Developing an effective and comprehensive policy includes:Problem identification -- asking the policy question, "What do we want to achieve?"Priority setting where the issue gets placed on the political agenda to be addressed among competing issues.Policy formulation and design where policy goals are established.Passage of policy instruments the stage where approval is received from staff and council for implementing the policy instruments.Implementation this stage activates the policy by delivering the services, programs or funding identified

To do...In your own words, outline the steps a bill goes through to become a law at each of the following levels:FederalProvincialMunicipalIdentify the similarities and differences in the process of a bill becoming a law at all 3 levelsWhy do you think there are so many steps in the creation of a law? Explain your thinking.Do you think the process of moving a bill through so many steps is effective? Why or why not?

Extra Work finish any questions from yesterday that you didnt get to