Act (Statute)

Act (Statute)

Act (Statute), law passed by Parliament or a provincial legislature (see Provincial Government). A federal Act must pass 3 readings in the House of Commons and 3 readings in the Senate, and must receive royal assent. Assent is given by the Sovereign (rarely), or, in the sovereign's name, by the Governor General or (usually) his deputy (a judge of the Supreme Court Of Canada), in the Senate Chamber. A provincial Act must pass 3 readings in the legislature and receive the Lieutenant-Governor's assent. Royal assent has never been refused to a Dominion bill, but lieutenant-governors have refused assent 28 times, the last time in 1945.