Activity

Optional: This would be a good time to introduce the process of parliamentary debate. If the skill level of the class and class time permits, incorporate a brief debate of this bill.

Materials Required

• Rules and Decorum for the Senate and House of Commons
• copies of the selected sample bill (as in Introduction and First Reading of a Government Bill)
• copies of the simulation script “Second Reading of a Government Bill”
• Teacher Notes on Second Reading of a Government Bill from the background lesson: "How a Bill Becomes a Law".

Time

One class period (plus homework), or two class periods if practice debate included

Variation

For entry-level students, or if you lack time, provide students with sample motions instead of having them create their own.

Who's Involved

Senate:

Government in the Senate, Opposition Party in the Senate, independent Senators

House of Commons:

Cabinet, Government Backbench, Official Opposition, Third Party

What It Is

Second reading is a critical stage in the passage of a bill. For the first time, Senators or MPs have the chance to debate the bill, either defending or opposing it.
The Senator or Minister responsible for the bill normally begins the debate. The members of the Opposition in the Senate or the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons will criticize the bill and state why it should not be read a second time. A number of Senators or MPs may then join the debate and present brief arguments for or against the bill.

What You Need to Do

Senate:

1. If you are in the Government in the Senate, develop arguments for the bill. If you are in the Opposition in the Senate, develop arguments against it. Choose which members of your group will speak on the bill during the simulation.
   • Government in the Senate speakers should include:
     • Leader of the Government in the Senate
   • Opposition in the Senate speakers should include:
     • Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
   • Decide which speaker will present each argument.
2. The Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate should prepare three minute speeches. Any other Senators speaking to the bill should prepare one to two minute speeches.
3. One Senator from the Opposition and one independent Senator should each prepare an amendment to the motion for second reading.
4. As a group, read through the Senate simulation script "Second Reading of a Government Bill."

House of Commons:

1. If you are in the Cabinet or Government backbench, develop arguments for the bill. If you are in the Official Opposition or Third Party, develop arguments against it. Choose which members of your group will speak on the bill during the simulation.
   • Cabinet speakers should include:
     • the Prime Minister
     • the Minister responsible for the bill
   • Official Opposition speakers should include:
     • the Leader of the Opposition
     • the Opposition Critic (Shadow Minister)
   • Third Party speakers should include:
     • the Leader of the Third Party
     • the Critic
   • Decide which speaker will present each argument you have developed.
2. The Minister responsible for the bill and the Leader of the Opposition should prepare three minute speeches. The Leader of the Third Party and any other MPs speaking should prepare one to two minute speeches.
3. One MP from each opposition party should prepare an amendment to the motion for second reading.
4. Only one amendment can be moved at a time. An amendment must be debated and voted on before another amendment can be moved.
5. As a group, read through the House of Commons simulation script "Second Reading of a Government Bill."