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Researching Canadian Legislation

Learn how to research Canadian legislation, including finding bills, statutes, and regulations at the federal and provincial levels, with helpful tips and resources.

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Researching Canadian Legislation

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  1. Researching Canadian Legislation Michelle Louise Atkin Subject Specialist for Law and Human Rights Frances Montgomery Documents Collection Specialist: Canadian federal documents Carleton University Library

  2. Researching Canadian Legislation • This lecture will focus on how to find: • Bills • Statutes (including subsequent amendments) • Regulations

  3. Things to consider before you begin… • Identify the level of government that has jurisdiction over the area • Is it an area of Federal or Provincial jurisdiction • The Constitution Act, 1867 s. • Distribution of Legislative Powers • What pieces of information do you already have? • Subject, number, year, sponsor, etc.

  4. Bills • Bill are legislative proposals • Stages before a bill become law • 1st reading • 2nd reading (place for debate and amendments) • Bill sent to Committee for study of specific provisions • Report stage (Committee presents results to House) • 3rd reading • (Federal Bill proceeds to Senate and goes through same process) • Royal assent • Proclamation date (Bill transformed from proposal to law)

  5. Federal Bill can be introduced by either the House Commons or the Senate C or an S is used to denote whether they originated in the Commons or the Senate Bill numbers Public Bills (Government Bills): introduced by Minister): C-2 - C-200 Private Members Bills: C-201 - C-1000 Private Bills: C-1001 and up When a bill becomes a law it receives a new number Provincial Bill are of two types: Public or Private Public Bills: Introduced by Cabinet Minister Private Bills:Introduced by an MPP When a bill becomes a law it receives a new number Bills Continued…

  6. Bills Continued… • When researching a bill, it may be useful to consult the Debates and Committees in order to get a sense of what the issues were surrounding the passage or death of a particular bill.

  7. Bills on the Web • Federal • LEGISINFO (leg. after Jan. 1, 2001) • Text of bill, major speeches, status of bill, votes, CIF information, departmental information, summary, and further readings. • Ontario • Legislative Assembly of Ontario (leg. after Sept. 26, 1995) • Text of bills, status of bill, debates, CIF information, list of acts affected, links to ministry and other background material

  8. Statutes • Statutes • The written laws approved by legislatures, parliaments or houses of assembly (i.e., politicians). Also known as ”legislation". -Duhaime’s Law Dictionary

  9. Statute Indexes • Revised Statutes of Canada • Index to the R.S.C. 1985 • Revised Statutes of Ontario • Index to the R.S.O. 1990

  10. Locating Statutes • Things to keep in mind: • Annual Statutes • Consolidated Statutes (electronic versions are rolling consolidations) • Revised Statutes (R.S.C. 1985, R.S.O. 1990) • Paper v. Electronic • Paper version is the official document

  11. Updating a Statute • Questions to consider: • Is the act in force? • Has it been updated since the last consolidation? • i.e. R.S.C. or R.S.O • Table of Public Statutes and Responsible Ministers • alphabetical list of statutes and the Minister responsible for them • shows what has happened to an act over time - this is your one stop shopping for amendments • Gazette’s • Statute Citator’s

  12. Check for Relevant Regulations • Execution of a power conferred by or under the authority of an act • Governor in Council • Available electronically through Justice site or E-Laws, can be found in the paper versions of applicable Gazette

  13. Still need help? • Feel free to contact us: • Reference Services Michelle Atkin michelle_atkin@carleton.ca • MADGIC Frances Montgomery frances_montgomery@carleton.ca

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