What Is a Private Member's Bill?
Not every law comes from the government. Any MP can introduce a bill on an issue they care about — from tougher environmental rules to recognizing a national holiday. These are called private members' bills, and they're one of the few ways backbench MPs can directly shape Canadian law.
Government Bills vs. Private Members' Bills
There are two kinds of bills in the House of Commons:
| Government Bill | Private Member's Bill | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced by | Cabinet minister | Any MP (non-minister) |
| Numbering | C-1 to C-199 | C-200 and above |
| House time | Government sets schedule | Limited (1 hour/session) |
| Spending authority | Can spend money | Cannot (no Royal Recommendation) |
| Party discipline | Usually whipped | Often free votes |
| Success rate | High (majority government) | ~5% become law |
Why Private Members' Bills Matter
Even though most private members' bills don't become law, they serve several important purposes:
- Setting the agenda — A private member's bill can force a public debate on an issue the government is ignoring. Even if the bill fails, it puts the topic on the record.
- Signalling priorities — The bills an MP introduces tell you what they care about. Check your MP's bill history on MyMP.ca to see what issues they're championing.
- Influencing government policy — Governments sometimes adopt the ideas from private members' bills into their own legislation, especially when a bill gains public support.
- Cross-party cooperation — Because free votes are common, private members' bills can attract support from MPs across party lines, revealing alliances that don't exist on government business.
See which MPs sponsor the most bills
Our rankings show who is most active in the legislative process
Browse lobbying by topic
See which policy areas attract the most lobbying pressure
Notable Private Members' Bills That Became Law
Some of Canada's most significant laws started as private members' bills:
- Westray Bill (C-45, 2003) — Made employers criminally liable for workplace safety negligence. Introduced after the Westray mine disaster in Nova Scotia.
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (C-5, 2021) — Established September 30 as a federal statutory holiday to honour residential school survivors.
- Lyme Disease Strategy (C-442, 2014) — Required the government to develop a national framework for Lyme disease.
Lobbying and Private Members' Bills
Private members' bills are a common target for lobbyists. An organization that can't get the government to introduce legislation on their issue may work with a sympathetic backbench MP to introduce a private member's bill instead.
On MyMP.ca, you can cross-reference an MP's sponsored bills with their lobbying meetings to see if there's a connection between who they meet and what legislation they introduce.
Look up your MP
See your MP's bills, lobbying meetings, and voting record
How bills become law
The full step-by-step process from introduction to Royal Assent
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a private member's bill?
A private member's bill is a bill introduced by an MP who is not a cabinet minister. Any MP — from any party — can introduce one. These bills are numbered C-200 and above (government bills start at C-1). They reflect the individual MP's priorities, not necessarily their party's official position.
How often do private members' bills become law?
Rarely. Only about 1 in 20 private members' bills ever becomes law. Most die on the Order Paper when Parliament prorogues or dissolves. However, even unsuccessful bills can raise public awareness and influence future government policy.
Can a private member's bill spend money?
Not directly. Under parliamentary rules, only the government can introduce bills that require new spending or taxation (this requires a "Royal Recommendation"). A private member's bill can propose regulatory changes or amend existing laws, but it cannot create new government programs that require funding.
How is the order of private members' business decided?
At the start of each Parliament, a random draw determines the order in which MPs get to bring forward their bills or motions. MPs drawn near the top of the list have the best chance of getting House time for debate. Each MP gets one hour of debate per item.
Are MPs required to vote with their party on private members' bills?
Traditionally, parties allow free votes on most private members' bills, meaning MPs can vote according to their conscience rather than the party whip. However, this is a convention, not a rule — party leaders can still apply pressure, especially on politically sensitive issues.