They are introduced each session in the Commons and Senate for the purpose of reasserting the right of Members to depart from the reasons for summoning Parliament contained in the Speech from the Throne and to proceed with such business before considering the Speech, therefore signifying Parliament's freedom from the direction of the Crown of Canada.
In the House, Bill C-1 is normally introduced by the prime minister and is titled An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office (French: Loi concernant la prestation de serments d'office).
In the Senate, Bill S-1 is titled An Act relating to Railways (French: Loi concernant les chemins de fer).
Whereas the introduction of a pro forma bill in the ⟨House of Commons / Senate⟩ before the consideration of the Speech from the Throne demonstrates the right of the ⟨elected representatives of the people / Senate⟩ to act without the leave of the Crown; Whereas that custom, which can be traced to ⟨1558 / before 1867⟩ in the Parliament at Westminster, is practised in a number of jurisdictions having a parliamentary form of government; And whereas it is desirable to explain and record the constitutional relationship represented by that custom; Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
1 This bill asserts the right of the ⟨House of Commons / Senate⟩ to give precedence to matters not addressed in the Speech from the Throne.