bill

Definition: In Canada a bill is a proposed law or piece of legislation put before a Canadian legislature for approval. A bill can be initiated by the government or by a private member. Bills can be introduced in Parliament in either the House of Commons or the Senate except for "money" bills, those bills relating to spending or taxation. A bill must be passed at all stages - first reading, second reading, committee stage and third reading - in both the House of Commons and the Senate before it can receive Royal Assent and become an act of parliament.