A bill introduced by an MLA on behalf of an individual person or group outside the Legislative Assembly is called a private bill. Private bills are introduced to help deal with a specific issue affecting that person or group. These types of bills generally grant specific powers, benefits, or exceptions to that person or group, or may exclude other laws from applying to them under specific circumstances. Private bills do not affect the general public.
An example of a private bill passed by the Legislative Assembly is the Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver Act, 2018. This legislation allows one organization, the Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver, to grant degrees in theology. Without a private bill, this organization would have to adhere to the University Act, 1996, and might not otherwise be able to grant degrees in theology.
For more information of private bills, visit the Legislative Assembly website.
