What do you call a law before it is passed?
Quick answer: A Bill. In our practice tests 91% of 85 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “A New law”.
Why is this the correct answer?
Before a law is passed, it is called a "bill." Bills must be debated and voted on in both the House of Commons and the Senate before receiving Royal Assent to become law.
Study Tip
In Canada, a law before it is passed is often referred to as a document that is formally presented to the government. Think of a word that is commonly used in the Canadian Parliament.
What should you know about this topic?
A proposed law that has not yet been passed is called a bill. Bills are introduced in Parliament, usually by a Cabinet minister in the House of Commons, though they can also start in the Senate or be introduced by an individual MP. A bill only becomes a law (also called an Act) after it goes through several stages.
Discover Canada describes the steps. First comes the notice and first reading. In the second reading, members debate the principle of the bill. The bill then goes to a committee, which studies it closely and may suggest changes. At the report stage, the committee reports back and members may debate more amendments. In the third reading, members debate and vote on the final version. The same process happens in the other chamber. Finally, the bill receives Royal Assent from the Governor General and becomes law. Most bills that affect government spending or taxes must start in the House of Commons. During the committee stage, members may hear from experts and ordinary citizens about how the bill would affect them. This gives the public a chance to share views before the law is final.
This process gives elected MPs and appointed senators many chances to examine and improve proposed laws. It is a key part of how Canada's parliamentary democracy works. Provincial legislatures pass bills in a similar way, with the Lieutenant Governor giving Royal Assent. For the test, connect this question to the three parts of Parliament and to the idea of Royal Assent.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- A New law: "A new law" describes a law that has already been passed, not one that is still being considered.
- A New proposal: "A new proposal" is not a parliamentary term. Laws under debate in Parliament are called bills.
- A Proposed law: This is a description of what a bill is, but it is not the official term. The correct name is a bill.
What is the most common mistake?
Many learners choose a plain description like "a proposed law." While that describes it, the official name tested is "a bill."
How can you remember the answer?
Before it can be a law, it has to pay the "bill": every law starts as a bill.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
91% of 85 practice answers from about 67 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "A New law", chosen 6% of the time. The data covers practice tests on BecomeACitizen.ca from March 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
How hard is this question compared with others?
It is the 33rd easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the How Canadians Govern Themselves chapter is 77% correct, and the average across all questions is 75%. You need 75% to pass the real test.
These are practice questions written from the official Discover Canada guide. IRCC does not publish the real test questions. See the full ranking in the 20 most-missed citizenship test questions or browse more How Canadians Govern Themselves questions.
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Test yourself with questions from How Canadians Govern Themselves. Timed mock tests, instant scoring, and detailed explanations.
Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the How Canadians Govern Themselves section of the Canadian citizenship test. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Discover Canada study guide. You need to score at least 75% (15 out of 20 correct) to pass.
This chapter has 47 questions in our database. Studying chapter by chapter is one of the most effective ways to prepare, as it helps you build deep understanding of each topic before moving to the next.
How should you study for the citizenship test?
Start by reading the complete how-to-pass guide, then work through each chapter in the study mode. When you feel ready, take a full exam simulation with the real 45-minute time limit.