How are statutes interpreted?

Statutes are interpreted by using a set of rules and tools that have been developed over time through case law and convention. These tools include using the natural and ordinary meaning of the words (literal meaning), using any secondary meaning or technical meaning of the words if the literal meaning will lead to an absurd result or if the statute relates to a technical field , using a necessary implication (meaning removing and adding words to make the statute intelligible) when even the secondary meaning fails to provide the appropriate intent of parliament and/or finally by construing the statute as a whole which may include looking at other provisions and how certain similar words (whose meaning you are searching for) have been used in those provisions.

The objective of these exercises is to unearth parliament's intention that informed the passing of the statute.