⚖️ Chapter 5: How Canadians Govern Themselves
What happens at the committee stage?
Correct answer: Committee members examine the bill one clause at a time
A The bill is printed for the first time
B Members hold the final vote on the bill
C The bill is signed into law
✓ Committee members examine the bill one clause at a time
💡 Explanation
A committee works through the bill in detail, examining it one clause at a time.
Key facts to remember
- Step 1 first reading: the bill is printed
- Step 2 second reading: debate on the bill's main idea
- Step 3 committee stage: study one clause at a time
- Step 4 report stage: further amendments can be made
- Step 5 third reading: members debate and vote
- Step 6: the Senate repeats a similar process
- Step 7 royal assent: seven stages in total
Why this is the answer
From the official Discover Canada study guide — 5.3.2 How a Bill Becomes Law: The Legislative Process:
A bill moves through a fixed order of stages. Stage one is first reading: the bill counts as read and is printed, so everyone can see the text. Stage two is second reading, where members debate the idea behind the bill rather than its fine detail. Stage three is the committee stage. A smaller group of members works through the bill one clause at a time and studies it in detail. Nothing is rushed; each stage has its own purpose.
Stage four is the report stage, when members may put forward further changes to the text. Stage five is third reading: members debate the bill one last time and then vote on it. If it passes, stage six sends it to the Senate, which puts it through a similar series of stages. Stage seven is royal assent, given once both Houses have passed the bill. That makes seven stages in all, from first reading through to royal assent.
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This question is from: 5.3.2 How a Bill Becomes Law: The Legislative Process
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