Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Photos in this publication are from the Library of Parliament unless otherwise indicated.
Mountie on cover: (2007) HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Reprinted with the permission of the RCMP.
Our country, our Parliament : a guide for learners of English as a second language and an introduction to how Parliament works.
Issued also in French under title: Notre pays, notre Parlement, un guide d'apprentissage destin aux apprenants du franais langue seconde
et une introduction au fonctionnement du Parlement.
ISBN 978-0-662-46116-6
Cat. no.: YM41-5/2007E
Democracy Dened 8
Confederation 9
e Constitution 11
Constitution Act, 1982 11
Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms 12
Elections 17
Dissolving Parliament 18
Campaigns 18
Political Parties 20
Voting 21
Forming a Government 22
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5. YOUR CAPITAL
Why Ottawa? 37
On the Hill 37
e Parliament Buildings 37
6. PARLIAMENT IN MOTION
Glossary 44
Web Links 49
Getting to Know Your Youth Narrators 50
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PARLIAMENT OR GOVERNMENT
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how people get appointed or elected WORD BUILDER THINK ABOUT IT!
to Parliament is is where you can learn new words and ink about why people acted the way
phrases. they did. Imagine other ways they could
what Senators and MPs do in
have acted.
Parliament DID YOU KNOW?
Find out interesting facts about Parliament! When a word is in bold you can nd its
how decisions made in Parliament
denition in the glossary at the back of
aect you and your community THE MAGNIFYING GLASS
this book.
Look closer when you see this symbol.
Parliament is a big place! To help you nd
your way around, a team of narrators
have volunteered to help out.
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Canada: e Road 6 7
to Democracy
S EC T
ION
1
1 3 2
C A N A D A I S A D E M O C R A C Y. W H A T I S A D E M O C R A C Y ?
Democracy Defined 6
e word democracy describes a political CANADIAN COAT OF ARMS A coat of arms is
a symbol used to identify someone or something.
system. Sometimes a coat of arms appears on an important
In a democratic country, all eligible building, or at the top of an official letter. This is the coat
citizens have the right to participate, either of arms of Canada. It contains many symbols that give 4
us clues about Canadas history and what Canadians
directly or indirectly, in making the deci- feel is important. See if you can spot: 3 3 4
sions that aect them. Canadian citizens 1 the flag of the United Kingdom
normally elect someone to represent them 2 the royal flag of France (fleur-de-lis)
in making decisions at the dierent levels 3 symbols of England (golden lions, roses)
4 symbols of Scotland (red lion, thistles, unicorn) 5 2
of government. is is called a representative
democracy. Countries like Canada, the 5 symbols of Ireland (harp, shamrocks)
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WORD BUILDER Aboriginal peoples Confederation New Brunswick and Canada (which became
Canada became a nation, the Dominion of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec). e
People have lived in Canada for at least
Canada, in 1867. Before that, British North BNA Act described the structure and main
12,000 years. In Canada, we usually describe
America was made up of a few provinces, laws of the new country, as well as the
the ancestors of these rst peoples as
the vast area of Ruperts Land (privately division of powers between the new
Aboriginals. ere are three main groups
owned by the Hudsons Bay Company), provinces and the federal government.
of Aboriginal people in Canada.
and the North-Western Territory. By 1864,
First Nations people live all across the many leaders felt that it would be good to
country in cities, on traditional lands and join into one country. Known as the Fathers
on reservations (land reserved for them). of Confederation, these leaders met and
wrote a constitution for the new country,
Inuit people live in the Far North, and
which had to be passed by the Parliament
they share ancestors with the Aboriginal
of the United Kingdom. Once passed, it
peoples of Siberia, Alaska and Greenland.
became known as the British North America
Mtis people have a combination of an- Act, or the BNA Act. is Act brought
cestors of First Nations and European together the three provinces of Nova Scotia,
origin.
1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
THINK ABOUT IT
DID YOU KNOW? The original painting by Robert Harris burned
Why are there no women during the fire that destroyed most of the Centre Block of the
in this painting? Parliament Buildings in 1916. Today, the tribute copy of it, by Rex Woods,
hangs in a committee room at Parliament. The major differences
between the two are: a portrait of Robert Harris on the right and three
more delegates to the London Conference of 1866 (who were officially
recognized in 1927) were added.
Charlottetown
Quebec City
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the right to participate in politica WORD BUILDER Look closely at this word:
l
activities and the right to a democra
tic FREEDOM
government
e word divides into two free and dom. 4
the freedom to move around and e word free comes from the old German
live
within Canada, and to leave Canada frei (meaning beloved) and the Sanskrit
legal rights such as the right to life, priyah (beloved); -dom is sometimes added
liberty and security to the end of a word to make it a noun
(wisdom, kingdom). What other words
equality rights contain the word free?
language rights
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n Heritage
Department of Canadia
SECTION 1 Canada: The Road to Democracy 13
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S EC T IO
Canadas System of Government
2
N
Overview of the Canadian
Parliamentary System
Three branches work together to govern
Canada: the executive, legislative and
judicial branches. The executive branch
(also called the Government) is the decision-
making branch, made up of the Monarch
represented by the Governor General,
the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet. The
legislative branch is the law-making
branch, made up of the appointed Senate
and the elected House of Commons. The
judicial branch is a series of independent
courts that interpret the laws passed by the
other two branches.
Parliament itself is made up of the
following three parts: the Monarch, the
Senate and the House of Commons.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy,
which means that we recognize the Queen
or King as the Head of State, while the
Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
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the Latin
the Latin e municipal level (from
e provincial level (from zen of a
ent municipalis, meaning of a citi
The Three Levels of Governm provincia, meaning under Rom
an rule:
of free town).
Canada has three main levels from pro, to be in favour of som
ething,
nt that is
government. the terri- is is the level of governme
and vincere, to conquer) and or district
in foedus, ra, mean- usually based in a city, town
e federal level (from the Lat torial level (from the Latin ter ernments
(a municipality). Municipal gov
meaning league). ing land). such as
in Canada, are responsible for areas
ls with In each of the 10 provinces
is level of government dea libraries, parks, community
water sys-
ponsible
areas of law listed in the Const
i- the provincial government is res parking.
tion Act, tems, local police, roadways and
tution Act, 1867 and that for areas listed in the Constitu se areas
lth care, ey receive authority for the
generally aect the whole 1867, such as education, hea nts.
road regu- from the provincial governme
countr y. (See list some natural resources, and also band
re respon- Across the countr y there are
on next page.) lations. Sometimes they sha Nations
ernment. councils, which govern First
sibility with the federal gov d councils
their ow n communities . ese electe
e three territories have ncils and
ilities that are similar to municipal cou
governments, with responsib their local
are given to them by the federa
l make decisions that aect
government. communities.
The Division of Powers The federal government tries to make WORD BUILDER
The federal level of government has powers things fairer among the provinces. NOUN ADJECTIVE RELATED WORDS
that are dierent from those of provincial Through equalization payments (extra federation federal confederation
governments, including: money) given to provinces that are less federalize
wealthy, the federal government tries federate
to make sure that the standards of federalism
health, education and welfare are the
same for every Canadian.
In the same way that it lists the WHAT ABOUT ME?
powers of the federal government, the The next time you go to a park, notice
Constitution Act,1867 lists the powers which level of government is managing it:
of the provinces, including: federal, provincial or municipal. You can
usually tell by the signs at the entrance. Do
direct taxes
you notice any dierences between these
hospitals parks? Think about their location and what
services and activities they have. Look at
prisons
the Parks Canada website. Why do you
education think these national parks were created?
How about provincial parks? City parks?
marriage
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Canadas
SECT IO N
Running for office takes dedication and
lots of hard work. Some candidates run
many times before they win an election.
3 Democracy in Action
Once the candidates are elected, they will
spend part of the year in Ottawa, and part
of the year in their home ridings.
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WHAT ABOUT ME? Political Parties WORD BUILDER The word campaign
Have you ever participated in an election? Canada has many dierent political parties. comes from the Latin campus, which
Some ways that young people across People in the same party usually have similar means field. In ancient times, armies would
Canada get involved in elections are by opinions about public issues. In Parliament, take to the field when they fought. In
helping candidates, by bringing up impor- members of dierent parties often have English, we still use the word campaign to
tant issues at public debates and forums dierent opinions. This is why there are mean a military battle or series of battles.
and by expressing their opinions in letters sometimes disagreements during elections We can also use the word race to describe
to newspapers. Some issues that are often and when Parliament is sitting. an election competition. Race comes from
important to young Canadians are crime, Having dierent parties allows criticism the Old Norse ras, meaning running water.
access to colleges and universities, em- and encourages watchfulness. Canadians Like many words in English, we can use
ployment and skills training and equal have a choice in expressing dierent views race either as a noun or as a verb.
rights. Think about what election issues are by voting for a member from a specic
important to you. party during election time. This is called NOUN VERB EXAMPLES
the party system. race to race She ran a very
good race.
WHAT ABOUT ME? He raced to
You probably have opinions and ideas of the nish line.
what would be good for Canada. Think vote to vote
about one issue that is important to you form to form
(the environment, immigration, education, act to act
or law and order, for example). Research help to help
some of the major political parties in
Canada to nd out where they stand on WORD BUILDER
your issue. Which one do you think has the
issue policy
best ideas? Imagine you are creating a
political party. What issues are important? idea opinion
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BALLOT BOX
2
BALLOT 1 Elections Canada logo
Elections Canada
name
1 candidates 2 polling station number
(o rd ered alp habetically)
3 slot for completed ballot
of the candidate
2 political party
the voter
3 circle where
oose
writes X to ch
SECTION 3 Canadas Democracy in Action 21
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HOUSE OF COMMONS
I work in the Parliament Buildings. When Parliament
is in session, the Senators and MPs are in town. e word commons comes from the Latin
They meet to discuss issues and policy, and to debate communis, which means shared by many.
bills, both in the Chambers and in committee. Other related words are community, com-
munication and commune.
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CT
I ON
e Business of Parliament
SE
4 WORD BUILDER
The Governor General
has two official homes where
GOVERN from the Greek word kybernan, he or she lives and works:
The Role of the Monarch Rideau Hall in Ottawa, not far
meaning to steer a ship (the same root as
Canadas Monarch (King or Queen) is also from Parliament Hill, and
the word cyber). Govern is a verb: e King the Citadelle in Quebec City.
Monarch of 15 other independent nations.
governed well and wisely. Can you think of
e Monarch, on the advice of the Prime
other words that stem from govern?
Minister, appoints a Canadian to represent
him or her in Canada. is person is called MONARCHY from the Greek monarkhia,
the Governor General. meaning ruling of one. It contains two
e Governor General has several duties parts: mono-, which means one, and
The Two-Chamber System:
related to Parliament. He or she ocially arkhein, which means to rule. Mono is used
The Senate and
appoints the Prime Minister as Head of often in English. ink of these words:
the House of Commons
Government, and opens a new session of monopoly
Canada has a bicameral parliamentary
Parliament with the Speech from the Throne monotonous
system (the prex bi- means two). at
in the Senate Chamber. is is a ceremonial monologue
means that there are two separate Chambers,
speech, written by the Privy Council Oce,
-archy sometimes ends words that describe each housing its own separate group of
in which the Governor General describes
how something is ruled. For example: parliamentarians: the Senate (p. 24) and the
the goals of the new government. He or she
anarchy House of Commons (p. 26).
also ocially dissolves Parliament, and gives
hierarchy
Royal Assent to bills passed in Parliament.
DID YOU KNOW? The Senate
e role of the Governor General also and the House of Commons are
includes: also called the Upper House and
OW?
DID YOU KN the Lower House. Another way
serving as Commander-in-Chief of , the highest prize
The Stanley Cup , to talk about either of these places
Hockey League
Canada (of the Canadian Forces) in the National th is to say "Chamber" or "House."
Canadas six
hosting foreign dignitaries, and visiting was a gift from
Governo r G en eral,
other countries at the request of the (L or d) Stanley of Preston
Baron
3). The trophy
Prime Minister (served 1888189 ion
med the Domin
was originally na .
celebrating excellence by giving e Cup
Hockey Challeng
awards to outstanding Canadians
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7 7
4
9
2
5
6
the government. Where the members of bill to bill someone 8 Green carpet (The green colour of Canadas House of
Commons is the same as that used in the House of
the other opposition parties sit depends on EXAMPLES: e health care bill passed Commons in England for well over 300 years.)
the number of MPs elected from each party. second reading.
e parliamentary restaurant
Chamber Business will bill him for the dinner.
e work of an MP in the Chamber report to report
includes reviewing and debating new bills EXAMPLES: e House committees report
that aect all Canadians. It also includes was very detailed.
taking part in question period, making e Senator will report back
(GGC86-950)
issues from the riding, raising issues and study to study
presenting recommendations and reports. EXAMPLES: e study shows that
The Hon.
The Rt. Hon.
Canadians like their ag. Muriel McQueen
Jeanne Sauv
Fergusson
e Prime Minister studied
As House of Commons pages, we handle DID YOU KNOW? The first woman to take the chair
law in university.
official documents and give messages to MPs in either the Senate or the House of Commons, the
while they are in the Chamber or in their committee Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson (left), was
meetings. There are 40 of us in total, and Create sentences using these words: Speaker of the Senate from 1972 to 1974.
we are first-year university students. The first and only female Speaker of the House of
Can you see where we usually sit change to change
Commons was the Right Honourable Jeanne
when the House is in session? (see page 27) hold to hold Sauv (right), who served as Speaker from 1980 to
pass to pass 1984. She then became the first female Governor
3
4 5
2
6 7
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e parliamentary
Debate in Chambe A parliamentary
r committee reports on Debate and vote
Reading of the and vote on the committee examines
the Good Idea Bill. on the changed
title of the bill idea behind the the Good Idea Bill
(e Good Idea Bill) line by line in Amendments are con- version of the
Good Idea Bill sidered and voted on.
committee. Good Idea Bill
WORD BUILDER Both Senators and MPs On the Job with a Senator Senators take part in caucus meetings. All
work on committees. You probably have When Parliament is in session, Senators these meetings mean serious research and
committees at your school. e root of this spend much of their time in Ottawa. During preparation.
word comes from commit from the the week, they debate and vote on bills in Senators also like to meet the people
Latin word committere, com- (together) and the Senate Chamber. Much of their work, they represent in their regions. Between
mittere (to put, or send). however, is done outside the Chamber. Chamber debates, committee work,
Senators often sit on at least two dierent meetings and travel, they try to nd time
NOUN VERB
committees, as well as subcommittees. In to make public speeches and attend im-
a commitment to commit
committee, Senators work hard to under- portant national and international events.
a committee
stand all details of a proposed bill: they Senators have many years of experience
Here are some sentences: hear evidence from groups and individuals in the working world. ey may have had
who will be aected by the proposed prominent careers in politics, medicine,
e Senator is busy; she has a
legislation and recommend changes. Mem- the military, law, sports, journalism, edu-
commitment this afternoon.
bers of the committees also review budgets cation or business. eir rich backgrounds
He sits on the Human Rights and investigate issues that are important to make them experts in their elds. is
committee. Canadians, such as health care, childrens helps them make decisions about bills that
rights and ocial languages. Committees the government wants to pass, or to advise
MPs commit many hours to
also report on those issues. In addition, the government on new or better policies.
committee work.
A Day in the Life needs to be examined. MPs also spend time WORD BUILDER
of a Member of Parliament in caucus every Wednesday morning, Constituent, from the same root as con-
In addition to their work in the Chamber, where they discuss strategy and ideas for stitution, means a part of. In politics, a
MPs have many responsibilities. They are laws with the rest of the Senators and MPs constituent is a person a politician represents.
accountable (must answer) to the people from the same political party.
who voted for them. At the same time, they While in their home ridings, they
must follow their party leader. While Par- attend events and meet with people and
liament is in session, MPs typically spend organizations to listen to their concerns.
Monday to Thursday in Ottawa, and Fridays At their oces in their home ridings and
and weekends in their riding, although this in Ottawa, they have a group of people
can change depending on their meeting who help them set up meetings, and prepare
schedules and on Parliaments business. for debates and committee meetings.
When MPs are in Ottawa and Parliament These researchers and administrators are
is sitting, there is a routine schedule to follow called sta.
called the Daily Order of Business. MPs While Parliament is in session, the
spend a set amount of time in the Chamber, House has a daily schedule. An average
in their oces and in committees. week looks like this:
Like Senators, MPs work on
committees to examine proposed House of Commo ns DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
bills in detail and to investigate is- HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY
Government Orders
10:00 - 11:00
sues. They also hear witnesses and Statements
by Members
11:00 11:15 Private Members
report back to the House with their Business
Routine Proceedings
Routine Proceedings oral questions
11:15 12:00
Government Orders Routine Proceedings
ndings and recommendations. 12:00 1:00 Government Orders
Government Orders
Some committees are permanent 1:00 1:30 Government Orders Review of Delegated
Legislation*
(these are called Standing Commit- 1:30 2:00
Private Members
Statements Statements Business
tees), and consider very important is- Statements Statements
2:00 2:15 by Members by Members
by Members by Members
sues such as the environment or 2:15 2:30 oral questions oral questions oral questions
oral questions
immigration. Other committees are 2:30 3:00
Routine Proceedings
formed (or struck) if a temporary issue Notices of Motions
for the Production Government Orders
3:00 5:30 Government Orders
Routine Proceedings of Papers
Government Orders Government Orders
Private Members Private Members
Private Members
5:30 6:30 Business Business
Business
Adjournment Adjournment
Adjournment Adjournment
6:30 7:00 Proceedings Proceedings
Proceedings
33
Proceedings
Legislation pursuant to Standing Order 128(1).
* If required, House to sit at 1:00 p.m. for the review of Delegated
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SECT IO N
Your Capital
5 Citizens elect different people from
their communities to dierent levels of
government to make laws. ese lawmakers,
or politicians, meet regularly to talk about
current laws and to make new ones. ey
do this in a place called the capital. Ottawa,
the national capital of Canada, is where
federal politicians meet.
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LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT
the research centre for 11
parliamentarians and their staff
over 600,000 items in the collection
over 350 people work for the
Library of Parliament
statue of a young Queen Victoria
10
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5 7
6 8
2
10
3
11
11
11
9
11
11
1
11
11
11
11 11
en
Mike Carroccetto, Ottawa Citiz
11
1
8
7
6
6
40 7
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2 Joshua
VICTORIA TOWER BELL Sherurci
SECT ION
6 Parliament in Motion
Evolving Parliamentary THINK ABOUT IT WORD BUILDER FLEXIBLE / INFLEXIBLE
Democracy When Canada became a country in 1867, The word flex means to bend. If you are
Because Canada has a constitution, Cana- the laws were dierent than they are today. exible, it can mean that you can bend
dians have reliable rules to follow. According to the laws of the time, many in certain ways (touch your hands to the
But sometimes, old laws do not t groups of people were not allowed to vote oor, for example), or it can mean that
society any more. For example, in people such as Aboriginal Canadians, you are able to adapt to changes as they
1923 Parliament passed the Chinese women, Chinese Canadians and Japanese occur.
Immigration Act, which closed Canadians. Why do you think this was? Consider these sentences:
Canadas doors to people of The voting age used to be 21, but in 1970 it My yoga teacher is very exible
Chinese origin. This law was was lowered to 18. Some Canadians talk she can put her foot behind her head!
changed in 1947. The democratic about lowering the voting age again. How
My yoga teacher is very exible
system is exible and allows would lowering the voting age aect
she does not mind if I come on
Parliament to change old laws Canada and its youth? What if voting
Mondays or Wednesdays.
and create new ones. became mandatory?
National and even inter- Adding an im- or an in- to the beginning
national events and issues WHAT ABOUT ME? of a word sometimes turns the word into
inuence Canadians values on Think about the issues listed below. How its opposite: exible into inexible, for
many levels. As Canadians con- do they aect you or your classmates? example. Consider these words:
sider these issues through open What might parliamentarians do about polite impolite
discussion and debate, their ideas these issues? complete incomplete
may change over time. In turn, environmental concerns capable incapable
Canadians inuence Parliament child poverty sincere insincere
to change laws or introduce international terrorism
Careful! in can also mean incoming or into.
new ones. illnesses such as AIDS
Here are some more words starting with in
street crime
or im:
Internet crime
interior, income, input, injury, involve,
promoting Canadian arts (music,
incline, include, investigate, important.
television, lms, literature, visual
and theatre arts) Look them up in your dictionary. Are they
promoting multiculturalism and opposites?
preventing racial and ethnic intolerance
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Glossary
amend To change Cabinet Minister A person normally ceremony A formal event that
or improve something; a Member of Parliament or a Senator follows rules or traditions.
for example, a law or who is chosen by the Prime Minister, and
chair e person in charge of a meeting.
an Act of Parliament. appointed by the Governor General,
is person directs the discussion of
to help govern. A Minister is usually
amendment A change that is made to a business in a Senate or a House of
the head of a government department.
bill, a motion or a committee report with Commons committee meeting.
e Government Leader in the Senate
the intention of improving it.
is also a member of the Cabinet. Chamber One of two large rooms in the
bicameral Of two chambers, Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
or rooms. Canadas Parliament is e Senate Chamber, or the Upper House,
An important part of the Canadian
made up of two separate Chambers. is where Senators meet to discuss business.
constitution that ensures all people in
ey are the Senate and the House e Commons Chamber, also called the
Canada are guaranteed certain basic
of Commons. Lower House, is where Members of Par-
human rights and freedoms.
liament meet. Traditionally, the Senate
bill A proposal for a law to be
capital e city where a countrys Chamber has red furniture and carpet,
considered by Parliament.
legislature is located and the government to signify monarchy, while the House of
budget e governments plan for how carries out its business. e capital city of Commons furniture and carpet are green,
it will collect and spend money each year. Canada is Ottawa. Each province and terri- following the tradition set in Britain.
tory also has a capital city and a legislature.
Cabinet e Cabinet is a group of Chief Electoral Officer of Canada is
all Ministers (mostly from the caucus A group made up of all Senators person is responsible for overseeing all
House of Commons and at least and Members of Parliament from the same federal elections.
one from the Senate). e Cabinet makes political party. Caucuses meet regularly.
citizen A person who has full political
decisions about the Governments priorities
Centre Block e Parliament Buildings and civil rights in his or her country.
and policies, the legislation that will be
have three parts (West Block, Centre
presented to Parliament, and how to Clerk of the House of Commons
Block and East Block). e House of
collect and spend money. e senior ocial in the Commons, and
Commons and the Senate Chambers are
the main advisor to the Speaker and
in the Centre Block. It is recognizable by
Members of the House of Commons
the Peace Tower with the clock.
regarding House rules and procedures.
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Clerk of the Senate e senior ocial in constitution e set of rules that a election e process of choosing
the Senate, and the main advisor to the country like Canada follows to work as a a representative by vote. In a federal
Speaker of the Senate and to Senators nation. It includes the Constitution Acts of election, voters in each riding elect one
regarding the Senates rules and procedures. 1867 and 1982, but is not limited to them. representative to the House of Commons.
e Clerk is also Clerk of the Parliaments e person who gets the most votes
constitutional monarchy A system in
and is responsible for all legislation passed represents the riding.
which the powers of the Monarch
by Parliament.
are limited by the written or unwritten federal government e
committee A group of Senators, constitution of the country. Canada is a government of Canada that acts
Members of Parliament, or both, selected constitutional monarchy. e Queen or and speaks for the whole country.
to study a specic subject or bill and King of Canada is our Head of State,
governing party e political party
write a report about it. whereas the Prime Minister is our
that forms the Government because
Head of Government.
Confederation e agreement by more of its members were elected
the provinces to join together to form debate A discussion in which the to the House of Commons than from any
the nation of Canada and create a federal arguments for and against a subject other party.
Parliament. is happened in 1867 with are presented according to specic
Government e political party with the
four present-day provinces: Ontario, rules. Discussions in the Senate and the
most members elected to the House of
Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. House of Commons are called debates.
Commons usually forms the Government.
e other six provinces and three
dissolution e bringing to an end In the federal government, the Prime
territories joined at later dates.
of a Parliament, either at the end of its Minister and the Cabinet decide the
constituency e specic geographic four-year term or if the government is policies and priorities, make sure they
area in Canada that a Member of defeated on a motion of non-condence, are put into action, and also guide the
Parliament represents in the House of by proclamation (an ocial announce- Governments legislation through the
Commons. (Synonym: riding or electoral ment) of the Governor General on the House of Commons and the Senate.
district) advice of the Prime Minister. It is
Government House Leader e
followed by a general election.
constituent A person living in an area Minister responsible for managing the
in Canada represented by a Member of elect To pick one person from Governments business in the House,
Parliament. a group of several people by voting. including negotiating the scheduling
e person with the most votes of business with the House Leaders of the
is elected. opposition parties. (Synonym: Leader of
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the Government in the House liament, Senators and Members Leader of the Government in the Senate
of Commons) of Parliament use terms such as A Senator appointed by the Prime
Honourable Senator, e Minister to lead the Government
Governor General A person
Honourable Member for..., and in the Senate.
appointed by our Monarch, on the
Honourable colleague because tradi-
advice of the Prime Minister, to be the Leader of the Official Opposition or Leader
tionally they are not allowed to call one
Monarchs representative in Canada. e of the Opposition (House of Commons)
another by name in the Chambers.
Governor General is appointed for a term e leader of the political party that
of ve years. e term may be extended. House Leader An appointed Member usually has the second-largest number
of every party that manages its business in of MPs in the House of Commons.
Hansard e daily ocial record
the House of Commons.
of debates in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
House of Commons in English and House of Commons One of three parts e leader of the party in the Senate that
French. Hansard was the surname of a of Parliament. MPs meet and debate in usually has the second-largest number of
British printer who prepared reports the House of Commons Chamber. seats. e Leader of the Opposition in
of parliamentary debates in 19th-century the Senate manages his or her party
independent A Member of the
England. e Hansard is also called members activities in the Senate and
Senate or House of Commons who
Debates of the Senate and House of in its committees.
does not belong to a political party.
Commons Debates.
legislation Bills that are passed
interest groups Groups of businesses,
Head of Government In Canada, the by Parliament.
associations and people with a common
Prime Minister holds the powers of the
interest who ask MPs or Senators to speak legislative process e steps by which
Head of Government and looks after
for them and promote their interests. bills are approved by Parliament and
the business of the country.
become laws.
law A rule for all Canadians made
Head of State Queen Elizabeth II, the
by Senators, Members of Parliament Local government e council that
Queen of Canada, is our Head of State. She
and the Governor General through manages the business of a municipality
is represented in Canada by the Governor
discussion and voting. (village, town or city) that is led by a
General.
mayor. Council members are elected
Leader of the Government in the House of
Honourable A special title given to Sen- by the people living in that area.
Commons See Government House
ators and Cabinet Ministers for life, and
Leader. Lower House Another name for the
to the Speaker of the House of Commons
House of Commons.
as long as he or she is the Speaker. In Par-
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Mace A large, heavy, silver- and Official Opposition e political parliamentary democracy A system of
gold-covered sta that is a symbol party that usually has the second- government where the citizens
of the power and authority of largest number of MPs elected to express their political views by choosing
Parliament. e Senate and the House of the House of Commons. Both the House representatives to go to Parliament to
Commons each have a Mace. When the and Senate have an Ocial Opposition. make laws on their behalf.
Senate and the House are in session, the
opposition All political parties and Prime Minister e leader of the party
Maces rest on the Clerks Table in each
independent Members who do not in power and the Head of Government.
Chamber.
belong to the governing party. e Prime Minister is normally an
Member of Parliament (MP) Technically, elected Member of Parliament and
oral questions Another name for
members of both the Senate and the House represents a constituency.
question period.
of Commons are Members of Parliament,
private Member Another name for a
but most often this term is used for page A university student who
backbencher: a Member of Parliament
someone elected to a seat in the House works for the Senate or the House
who does not have an ocial role in the
of Commons. Members of the Senate are of Commons. He or she carries
House of Commons.
called Senators. Each member of Parlia- messages and delivers documents and
ment represents one of the ridings into other material to the Chamber during provincial or territorial government Each of
which Canada is divided. sittings of the Senate or House of Canadas 10 provinces and three territo-
Commons. ries has a legislature that makes laws for
monarch A king or queen of a country.
the people living in that province or terri-
Parliament Canadas Parliament is com-
motion A proposal by a Member tory. Each legislature is located in the
posed of the Monarch, the Senate and the
for either the Senate or the House of capital city of the province or territory.
House of Commons. Parliament has the
Commons to do something, to order
power to make laws for Canada in certain question period A daily period of
something to be done, or to express an
areas of responsibility. A Parliament is also time in the Senate and House of
opinion on a matter. To be considered by
the period of time between an election Commons when parliamentarians
the Chamber, a motion must be seconded
and a dissolution. ask the government questions about its
by another Member and voted on by all
activities or important issues.
members. If adopted, a motion becomes parliamentarian A Senator or a
an order or a resolution. Member of the House of Commons.
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reading (of a bill) A word used Royal Assent e last stage before a sitting A meeting of the Senate or of the
for the stages during which a bill is bill becomes a law. e ceremony of House of Commons within a session.
debated in Parliament before it is Royal Assent takes place in the Senate Usually one day long, although a sitting
passed to become a law. Chamber and is performed by the can last for only a matter of minutes or
Governor General or the Governor may extend over several days.
report stage A step in the passage
Generals deputy with Members of the
of a bill through both the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons e
House of Commons present. A bill can
House of Commons. e Report Stage is Member of Parliament who is elected at
also receive Royal Assent at Rideau Hall
when the Senate or the House of Commons the beginning of a Parliament by fellow
by written declaration.
considers the report of the committee MPs to keep order in the House of Com-
that has studied a bill, and when changes Senate e Upper House of mons and to ensure that its rules and tra-
to the text of the bill may be proposed. Parliament is made up of 105 ditions are respected.
Senators.
representative A person who speaks Speaker of the Senate e Speaker is ap-
for you. Senator A person appointed to the pointed by the Governor General on the
Upper House of Parliament by the advice of the Prime Minister. e Speaker
responsible government e Government,
Governor General on the advice of the keeps order in the Senate and ensures
made up of the Prime Minister and Cabi-
Prime Minister. A Senator represents a that rules and traditions are respected.
net, must have the support of the majority
region of Canada.
in the House of Commons to stay in Speech from the Throne A speech
power. If the Government loses that sup- Sergeant-at-Arms e person who delivered by the Monarch or the Governor
port on a question of condence, it must is responsible for the maintenance and General at the start of a new session of
resign and ask the Governor security of the buildings used by the sta Parliament. e speech is read in the
General to call an election. and Members of the House of Commons, Senate Chamber and describes the
including the Chamber. e Sergeant- Governments plans for the session.
riding Another word for
at-Arms also carries the Mace when the
constituency or electoral district. Supreme Court of Canada e highest
Speaker enters and leaves the Commons
court in Canada. It has nine justices who
Right Honourable A special title Chamber.
are appointed by the Prime Minister.
given to Governors General, Prime
session e periods into which a
Ministers and Chief Justices of the table (verb) To place a document
Parliament is divided. Sessions start with
Supreme Court of Canada. e before the Senate, the House of
a Speech from the rone and are ended
title can be used for the persons Commons or a committee for
by prorogation (suspension).
lifetime, even after retirement. consideration.
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Web Links 49
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Eric
Julie I always wear
Simon Marie Daniel
Michelle
my name tag
My favourite thing
about giving tours of the
and bilingual pin,
I sometimes like to wear
As a House of Commons
page, you have to stand
Can you see Isabelle Being a page
is exciting work:
Parliament Buildings my Filipino Canadian my turquoise earrings? I see important decisions
I came from British whenever the Speaker I can work as
is meeting people from pin too. I wear these to celebrate get made every day.
Columbia to become stands. When Im not a Senate page
all around the world. my Mtis heritage I also see a lot of the
a House of Commons working in the House, for one or two years.
I like to let visitors know while working in Parliament Buildings
page. One of the biggest I like going out to We come from all over
about my home province, the Senate Chamber. while Im running around!
challenges of my job is youth groups and telling Canada!
New Brunswick. memorizing all the names them about my job.
and ridings of the MPs.
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