Provincial Convention 2010: Legislation Oral Report

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

What does it mean to legislate?

According to the dictionary definition – to make law.

What are government elected representatives responsible forÉ

To study, debate, and consider Canadians’ views/concerns before supporting or rejecting a Bill however bare in mind that once a government Bill is introduced to the Legislature it is the government’s expectation that the Bill will pass and they will bring considerable resources to make this happen.

Did you know that a Bill must pass three readings in the House of Commons or the Legislative Assembly before it becomes law?

Here are the three steps -

• Bills are introduced in the House, given First Reading, put on the agenda and the Minister may explain the purpose of the Bill
• Before the Second Reading debate begins, a Bill may be ordered referred to a Standing Committee for review and/or hearings.
• If given a Second Reading, it may, by unanimous consent be ordered for a Third Reading otherwise it is referred to a Committee.
• When the Committee reports the Bill to the House it is ordered for a Third Reading.
• Federal bills once passed are sent to the other House, the Senate, where the process starts again from the First Reading.
• Last step – If the Bill passes Three Reading stages it is then presented to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent, if approved it is then known as an act given a statue number.

What are the duties of the legislation chair?

• To become familiar with parliamentary web sites
• Monitor and study the progress of the Bills on a regular basis
• Make contact with your local MP and MLA ask to be on his/her mailing list.
• Prepare briefs and position papers on proposed legislation.
• Forward communiqués to keep members informed with current news regarding Bills
• Send urgent requests for action on upcoming Bills by e-mail
• Encourage members to lobby all levels of government expressing concerns on Bills especially on issues related to social justice and against our Christian beliefs by writing letters, post cards, petitions, e-mails or personal contact.
• Emphasize that as the Bill goes through each stage it requires action.
• Check Resolutions that fall under the legislation standing committee heading and again encourage members to follow the listed action plan.
• Offer assistance to your counterparts.

Who said combine legislation and resolutions? I’m sure you’ll agree that the legislation committee stands on its own.

As a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada what is your responsibility?

Having the courage to fight for justice, to protect the weak and the ignored, making your voices heard loud and clear conveying your concerns to all levels of elected government representatives over and over again.

To all Legislation chairpersons either continuing or beginning the ‘legislation journey’, congratulations, you have accepted the challenge; familiarize yourself with the workings of this standing committee, and with enthusiasm work towards making legislation understood.