The Civil Marriage Act was approved by the Canadian House of Commons on third reading on June 28 2005 (see Members of the 38th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage). It then proceeded to the Canadian Senate where it was debated. The bill was debated on second reading in the Senate from July 4 to July 6 2005 and then sent to committee. Third reading debate occurred on July 19 2005 concluding in a vote that passed the bill which went on to receive royal assent on July 20 2005.