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The Parliament of Canada
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The Parliament of Canada -- Democracy in Action
Canada's Parliament, as conceived by the Fathers of Confederation in 1867, continues to be a vibrant example of democracy in action. In keeping with the British traditions that guided its beginnings, the Parliament of Canada consists of the Queen, represented by the Governor General, the appointed Senate, and the elected House of Commons.
Who are the Players?
As the representative of the head of state, the Governor General calls Parliament together after every general election, announces the objectives of the Government through the Speech from the Throne, and approves all bills passed by the Senate and the House of Commons.
The Senate, also known as the Upper or Red Chamber, has 104 seats. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister to represent regions and provinces. Senators can serve until the age of 75.
The House of Commons has 301 seats. Members of the House sit in a chamber decorated in the traditional green of its British counterpart. Members are elected to represent ridings in a Parliament which last for up to five years.
A Parliament is made up of one or more sessions which begin with a Speech from the Throne and end by prorogation or dissolution. A session can last a few days or several years. A sitting usually last a day, and the Constitution requires Parliament to sit at least once a year.
Making Canada's Laws
The Constitution authorizes Parliament "to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Canada." These laws concern matters of national interest and federal services.
Most legislation, including government bills which are proposed by Cabinet Ministers, is first considered by the House of Commons. The Senate also initiates legislation, but any bills concerning taxation or the expenditure of public money must originate in the Commons. Both Houses must approve all bills before they can become law.
Legislative proposals, or bills, are studied, debated and often amended by the House of Commons and the Senate. Bills come into force on receiving Royal Assent on a date specified in the bill or on a date set by Order in Council.
The Legislative Process
All bills normally pass through a series of steps that are similar in both the Senate and the House.
Introduction: The process begins when a bill is introduced.
First Reading: The bill is "read" for the first time without debate and printed.
Second Reading: The principle of the bill is debated. It is then voted on and the bill is sent to a parliamentary committee.
Committee Stage: A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause by clause and submits a report with or without amendments.
Report Stage: Additional amendments to the bill may be moved, debated and voted on.
Third Reading: The bill is debated a final time and voted on.
Message: The bill is sent to the other House, where the process starts again from first reading.
Royal Assent: The Governor General or a deputy gives the bill Royal Assent in the Senate.
All in a Day's Work
Parliament sits about 27 weeks of the year. Sittings start in September and usually continue until June, with breaks to permit Parliamentarians to work in their regions or ridings. Each House meets regularly to deal with national issues and debate the bills of the Government. In addition, the Senate and the House of Commons have committees that are mandated to look at specific issues in detail.
An agenda determines the daily business from the moment the Mace -- representing legislative authority -- is positioned on the Table at the start of the day's sitting until the sitting is adjourned.
A regular sitting day always includes routine business. At this time, committee reports are presented, documents are tabled, Ministers make statements, petitions are presented, bills are introduced and other routine business is transacted.
Most days, the major part of the sitting is spent debating legislation proposed by the Government. Time is also reserved to debate bills or motions proposed by those who are not in Cabinet, whether Senators or private members.
Question period is often the highlight of the sitting day. Ministers are held accountable for the activities of their departments and the policies of the Government.
Order in the Chamber
To ensure the orderly flow of business, the Senate and the House of Commons observes certain parliamentary rules and traditions, both written and unwritten. It is the Speaker's duty to interpret these rules impartially, to maintain order, and to defend the rights and privileges of Parliament, Senators and Members, including the right to freedom of speech.
At the beginning of each Parliament, following a general election, a Speaker is chosen to preside over each House. The Speaker of the Senate is appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. In the House of Commons, Members elect one of their number to be their Speaker.
The Speaker sits on a raised chair at one end of the Chamber with the Government on the right and the Opposition on the left.
Working for You
Together, Senators and Members of the House of Commons play an active role in the legislative process, contributing their ideas and energy to the creation of our laws. For more than 130 years, Parliamentarians past and present have participated in the development of our democracy, shaping Canada's destiny.
For more information, contact:
Information Service Senate Communications
Library of Parliament Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario Parliament Hill
K1A 0A9 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Tel: (613) 992-4793 K1A 0A4
Fax: (613) 992-1273 Tel.: (613) 992-1149
TTY: (613) 995-2266 Fax: (613) 995-4998
Tours: (613) 996-0896 |
