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A bill is legislative proposal that must go through a number of stages before it can become a law. Federally and provincially the process is essentially the same, with the exception that federally bills must proceed through the second house before they can be granted the stamp of royal assent.

In the federal system, with the exception of money bills, bills can begin in the:

• House of Commons - denoted as C bills.  Example: Bill C-2.
• Senate - denoted as S bills.  Example: Bill S-7.

Bill numbering begins again each session. It is important, therefore, to know to which session you are referring.