Parliament of Canada

Parliament of Canada
Name	Parliament of Canada
Legislature	44th Parliament
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate, House of Commons
Leader1 type	Monarch
Leader1	Charles III
Party1	(Non-partisan)
Election1	8 September 2022
Leader2 type	Governor General
Leader2	Mary Simon
Party2	(Non-partisan)
Election2	26 July 2021
Leader3 type	Speaker of the Senate
Leader3	Raymonde Gagné
Party3	(Non-partisan)
Election3	16 May 2023
Leader4 type	Speaker of the House of Commons
Leader4	Greg Fergus
Party4	Liberal
Election4	3 October 2023
Members	443, 105 Senators, 338 Members of Parliament
House1	Senate
House2	House of Commons
Voting house1	First-past-the-post
Voting house2	First-past-the-post
Last election2	20 September 2021
Next election2	On or before 20 October 2025
Session room	Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa.jpg
Meeting place	Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario
Website	https://www.parl.ca/

Parliament of Canada. The supreme legislative body of Canada, it is a bicameral institution composed of the Crown, an upper house called the Senate, and a lower house known as the House of Commons. Its authority is derived from the Constitution Act, 1867, and it convenes at Parliament Hill in the national capital of Ottawa. The Governor General carries out most of the Monarch's ceremonial and constitutional duties on their behalf.

History

The foundation was laid by the Constitution Act, 1867, which united the provinces of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the Dominion of Canada. This act established the basic framework, drawing heavily on the traditions of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the pre-Confederation Parliament of the Province of Canada. Key historical developments include the Statute of Westminster 1931, which granted full legislative autonomy from the United Kingdom, and the Constitution Act, 1982, which patriated the constitution and entrenched the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Significant moments in its evolution include the Persons Case, which established women's eligibility for the Senate, and the 1980 and 1995 sovereignty referendums in Quebec.

Structure and composition

It consists of three distinct elements: the Sovereign, represented by the Governor General; the appointed Senate; and the elected House of Commons. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister to represent regions, with seats allocated to divisions like Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and the Western provinces. Members of the House of Commons are elected by first-past-the-post in electoral districts, with the number of seats based on population and adjusted following each Statistics Canada census.

Functions and powers

Its primary function is to make laws, a process that requires the passage of bills through both the Senate and the House of Commons before receiving Royal Assent. It holds the government, headed by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, accountable through mechanisms like Question Period, standing committees, and votes of confidence. It also approves government spending through appropriation acts and exercises scrutiny over matters of national importance, including treaties and declarations of war.

Procedure and operations

A parliamentary session begins with the Speech from the Throne, delivered by the Governor General, which outlines the government's agenda. Legislation typically originates in the House of Commons, undergoes three readings, committee study, and then a similar process in the Senate. Key officers include the Speaker of the House of Commons, who presides over debate, and the Speaker of the Senate. The rules of procedure are governed by Standing Orders in the Commons and the Rules of the Senate.

Relationship with the Crown and government

The Crown is an integral part, with the Governor General performing essential ceremonial duties such as granting Royal Assent to bills and proroguing or dissolving sessions. By constitutional convention, the Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, who are drawn from and responsible to the House of Commons. This system, known as responsible government, ensures the executive remains accountable to the elected legislature.

Buildings and facilities

Its primary home is the Parliament Hill precinct in Ottawa. The iconic Centre Block, housing the Commons and Senate chambers, is undergoing a major decade-long rehabilitation; during this period, the Commons sits in the West Block and the Senate in the Senate of Canada Building (the former Union Station). The Library of Parliament, a Gothic Revival masterpiece, survived the Great Fire of 1916 and remains a vital research institution. Other important structures include the East Block and the Sir John A. Macdonald Building.

Category:Parliament of Canada Category:Bicameral legislatures Category:National legislatures