To all:- The final part of Third Reading and Voting has been delayed, waiting for return of one Senator. Nobody can anticipate the outcome at the present time -- but rather than yell KILL THE BILL -- we should hope it gets sent to the House of Commons -- where Members of Parliament are anxiously awaiting its arrival. A suggestion is now to concentrate on YOUR Member of Parliament, discuss your thoughts about Bill S-13 and need for amendments. However, should any changes be advocated in the House of Commons, the bill would have to be sent back to the Senate, to gain approval of House of Commons suggested Committee changes. I feel certain - should this happen -- we will gain hope for the future of our census records. Paper seems to gather -- one e-mail, dated 18 Mar 2001 -- from Gordon A. Watts and sent to Doug Joudrey and myself, follows:- HOW DOES A BILL BECOME LAW? All bills normally pass through a series of steps that are similar in both the Senate and the House. * Introduction: The process begins when a bill is introduced. * First Reading: The bill is "read" for the first time without debate and printed. * Second Reading: The principle of the bill is debated. It is then voted on and the bill is sent to a parliamentary committee. * Committee Stage: A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause by clause and submits a report with or without amendments. * Report Stage: Additional amendments to the bill may be moved, debated and voted on. * Third Reading: The bill is debated a final time and voted on. * Message: The bill is sent to the other House, where the process starts again from first reading. * Royal Assent: The Governor General or a deputy gives the bill Royal Assent in the Senate. Muriel M. Davidson [email protected] Brampton, ON --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.483 / Virus Database: 279 - Release Date: 5/19/03