Before You Read

Take
Figure 4–23 Laws are a set of rules intended to be long-term solutions to issues
is a fast and easy process to
that society faces. Some laws are made to prevent people from
causing harm. Others are made to settle or prevent arguments.
Laws deal with much more than crime and punishment.
Governments pass laws that regulate trade within and between
provinces and countries. There are also laws that protect the
environment. There are laws that say how to collect and distribute
the money needed to run the government and to provide services to
its communities.

Passing Laws
After the need for a law is decided, the government must begin the
task of creating and passing the law.

1
ENGAGED CITIZENS

INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING

The bill is introduced into

the House of Commons or
Senate by the government
or as a private member’s bill.
The bill is given a number.
INTEREST GROUPS It is now available for the
public to access and read.

Idea or Concept
of the Bill 2

GOVERNMENT SECOND READING

MPs/MPPs debate and

vote on the main ideas of
the bill. Debates may also
take place in the media
and among the public.

CONCERNED MP/MPP

FIGURE 4–23

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? 3
COMMITTEE STAGE
A committee studies
the bill, looking for errors
and other problems.
REPORT STAGE
The committee reports
its finding. The problems
are corrected.
STABILITY & CHANGE
FIGURE 4–24
orientation.
THIRD READING ROYAL ASSENT
The revised bill is debated At the federal level, the
and voted on. bill becomes law when it
is signed by the governor
general. At the provincial
level, it becomes law
when signed by the
lieutenant-governor.
BILL GOES TO THE SENATE
At the federal level, the bill
is sent to the Senate (unless
it started there). It goes
through the same process
of first and second readings, Law
committee and report
stages, and a third reading.
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 Voices in Lawmaking
lobby:
Laws are created when society sees a problem that needs a formal
solution. Only the legislative branch of a government may formally
introduce and pass a law. However, any person or group can push to
interest group:
create or reverse a law. In fact, as you will see, a number of groups
other than the government can influence lawmaking.

Individuals
Ordinary people often approach politicians about
creating laws that have direct or personal effects on
individuals or society. While single individuals may
not easily convince a government to change or
introduce new laws, they can organize a group to
lobby the government.

Interest Groups
Interest groups such as businesses might organize into groups to
lobby about concerns such as competition with other businesses,
protecting property rights, and labour and environmental laws.
Other interest groups, such as doctors or other medical
professionals, might organize and lobby for the changing of laws
based on health concerns, such as teen smoking or food safety.

FIGURE 4–25 FIGURE 4–26

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 Government Initiative
Governments are expected to act on promises they made to the public
by changing laws, reversing laws, and passing new laws. Government
initiatives may focus on things such as improving public services,
reducing unemployment, raising or lowering taxes, or resource
development.

Private Members’ Bills

MPs or MPPs who feel strongly about an issue sometimes introduce a
bill, called a private member’s bill, on their own or as part of a group
of representatives.

Other Tools
Besides interest groups, sometimes the push for change comes from
studies done by research institutions, academics, legislative committees,
or the government itself. The government can act on recommendations
made by these investigations, but they can also choose not to act. Doing
nothing or ignoring these investigations, however, risks turning public
opinion against the government, or even legal action.
SKILLS FOCUS

Reflect & Respond

OBJECTIVES 1. Research Bill C-31, which passed in June 1985, and proposed changes to the Indian Act.
& RESULTS
a) What was the purpose of the Bill?
b) What was the result?

POLITICAL 2. Digital piracy is the illegal copying of digital products such as software, videos, and
PERSPECTIVE
music. What do you think the law should be regarding digital piracy? Why?

STABILITY 3. Respond to one of the following questions:

& CHANGE

bottles in schools?

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 Thinking Civically

Political Perspective
Developing a political perspective
involves exploring the values and
beliefs of various groups on an issue
to determine your own position.
In the wake of tragic suicides of Canadian teenagers, such as Jamie
Hubley, Rehtaeh Parsons, and Amanda Todd, some people felt there
should be measures put in place to combat cyber-bullying.
In late 2013, the federal government proposed a bill that would
give police the right to seize computers, phones, and other devices
when investigating cyber-bullying. It would also give police easier
access to information that Internet service providers and phone
companies keep on every call and email. In addition, anyone who
posts or sends an “intimate image” of another individual without
that person’s consent could face up to five years in prison. Some
critics doubt that the measures being considered are effective or
enforceable. These critics point out that in many cases cyber-bullies
FIGURE 4–27 themselves are peers of their victims and may not fully understand
the impact of their actions.
The strategies to combat cyber-bullying that experts have
suggested include

impacts of cyber-bullying

problem of cyber-bullying

Questions
1. In your experience, what are some of the most common acts of
cyber-bullying?
2. Do you agree with making cyber-bullying punishable under the law?
3. What advice would you give to the federal government about how to
prevent cyber-bullying and how to punish the cyber-bullies?
4. How can you let your government know your views on putting a
stop to cyber-bullying?

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 Research Citing Sources
Civics requires citizens to be informed about the
& Inquiry issues that are being discussed and debated.
To find good information for these discussions
and debates, you need strong research skills.

When researching a topic for a presentation, report, article, or debate,

you need to keep notes on the information you collect, and you need to
record the sources of that information. Notes allow you to organize your
information. Keeping track of your sources allows you to find them again if
you need more information, and it ensures you give credit to the source of
the information.

1. What information do I need 3. How should I organize my

for sources? notes?

material first, and then record

your notes
publication
format in which they will
appear in your reference
website address and the date section, such as in the
FIGURE 4–28 you accessed it Modern Language
Association (MLA) style
or online book with pages,
FOR A BOOK: the page number where you

Author Title
found the information Questions
2. What information should I 1. In a group, research one of
Blair, Peggy J., Lament for a First Nation: record? the following:
The Williams Treaties of Southern Ontario.
relates to your assignment document, such as a treaty
Vancouver: UBC Press, 2008. or constitutional act
people, and places
City of Publication/ Date of proposed by the federal or
Publisher Publication provincial government
not understand. Look them Be sure to record the sources
up and record them in your of the information you gather,
.................................................. including sources for text,
notes.
FOR A WEBSITE: images, and other graphics.
you can find additional Create a short report or slide
Organization/Author Title material and organize your presentation about your topic.
notes Be sure to include your sources
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development at the end of your report or
to avoid plagiarizing presentation.
Canada. Maps of Treaty Making in Canada.
2. Why is it important to record
Government of Canada Website, accessed for word, use quotation
sources of information when
September 2013. <website address>. marks, and make sure you
you do research for any school
give the proper credit course?
Owner/ Access Date Address
Creator/
Publisher

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