http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/presim/student-act/HoC_04_e.htm House of Commons Pre-Simulation Activities
Introduction of a Government Bill back
Have students review How a Bill Becomes a Law (Background Lesson 4)
Choose (or let your students choose) one of the sample bills provided with the Model Parliament Unit.
Materials Required
Copies of Introduction of a Government Bill Pre-Simulation Activity Copies of the selected sample bill: Youth Electors Act, entry-level version or advanced version National Essential Services Act, entry-level version or advanced version Gasoline Preservation Act, entry-level version or advanced version Copies of the House of Commons Simulation Script Introduction of a Government Bill
Time
Two class periods (plus homework)
Differentiation
Some classes may appreciate the challenge of creating their own bill. For more advanced classes, have the students develop a bill of their own using the sample bills as a model.
Alternatively, you may wish to use a bill currently before Parliament. Visit LEGIS INFO. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/presim/class-prep_HoC_e.htm
Turn Your Classroom into a Model House of Commons
Divide the room lengthwise into two equal sides. Create a corridor in the middle of the room wide enough to allow free passage. On either side of this corridor, arrange the desks so that they directly face one another. Leave enough room between the desks to easily allow for standing without having to move the desks. Each side should be two rows of desks deep. Put a chair for the Speaker at one end of the corridor. At the opposite end of the corridor, place a chair for the Sergeant-at-Arms. Place a table in the corridor close to the Speaker's chair. Use the table to place documents and reports on when tabling them in Parliament. If you decide to use a ceremonial Mace it should also be placed on the table by the Sergeant-at-Arms at the Opening of the Sitting and removed at the adjournment. The Clerk sits at this table if present.
For the purpose of this simulation the seating will be arranged as follows:
The Government party sits to the right of the Speaker. The Prime Minister sits in the centre of the first row, and the Cabinet members fill the remaining seats of the first row. Other Government MPs ("backbenchers") fill the back row.
The opposition parties sit to the left of the Speaker. The Official Opposition party sits in the first and second rows, in the seats closest to the Speaker. The Leader of the Official Opposition, surrounded by his or her senior MPs, always sits directly opposite the Prime Minister. MPs of the second opposition party sit further away from the Speaker.
See The Model Parliament House of Commons Seating Plan. The Model Parliament House of Commons Seating Plan http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/resources/rules-and-decorum_HoC_e.htm Rules and Decorum for the Simulation of the House of Commons
During the simulation, the Speaker should be ready to intervene if at some point the proceedings head off in a wrong direction. The Speaker should also keep track of the time spent on each element to ensure that all components are covered.
MPs must stand silently when the Speaker is entering or exiting the room. MPs can only be seated after the Speaker has taken his or her seat. When the Speaker stands to make a ruling or to bring the House to order, all MPs must be seated and remain silent until the Speaker is finished. When an MP desires to speak, he or she must stand and wait silently to be called by the Speaker. When the Speaker has recognized an MP, all other MPs must sit down and be silent. MPs direct all their comments to the Speaker, saying: "Mr./Madam Speaker." MPs must always refer to one another in the third person. When referring to backbenchers, their constituency is used to identify them, for example: "The Member for (name of riding)." When referring to Ministers, the name of their ministry is used, for example: "The Minister of (name of Cabinet position)." MPs must not use unparliamentary language (i.e., foul, profane or offensive language or words abusing the House, any of its MPs, the Queen or any government official). MPs may not read their speeches. They can, however, refer to short notes written on cue cards. They can also read quotations from written sources. If after a voice vote an MP disagrees with the decision of the Speaker, he or she should stand in their place. If more than five MPs stand, the Speaker then calls for a recorded vote. During a recorded vote the Speaker asks all those in favour to stand. The Clerk then calls their names out and marks their names on a list as MPs in favour. The Speaker then asks all those opposed to stand and they are likewise counted. The Clerk then adds up the names of those for and those against, and announces the number to the House: "Those for___, those against___." The Speaker then announces the results of the standing vote: "I declare the motion carried/lost." If an MP breaks any of the rules above, any other MP may stand and say: "Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise on a Point of Order." An MP who is speaking and is interrupted by such an objection must immediately sit. The Speaker recognizes the MP raising the point and says: "Please explain your point." After the explanation is made, the Speaker decides whether the point is "well taken" or "not well taken." If the Speaker decides that the point is "well taken," this means that he or she agrees that the rules of the House have been broken by the MP, and he or she must apologize to the House before continuing with his or her speech. The Speaker may at any time require an MP to apologize for breaking the rules of the House. If the MP refuses to apologize, the Speaker may have the Sergeant-at- Arms remove him or her. When this happens, the Speaker calls the person by his or her name, rather than by title. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/presim/student-act/HoC_06_handout_e.htm
Second Reading of a Government Bill
Who's Involved
Cabinet, Government Backbench, Official Opposition, Third Party
What It Is
Second reading is a critical stage in the passage of a Government bill. It takes place during that part of the day called Government Orders. For the first time, MPs have the chance to debate the bill, either defending or opposing it.
In this exercise, you will develop arguments for and against the bill that you have selected. You may also propose an amendment to the motion for second reading. For example, you may propose that second reading take place in six months or that the order for second reading be discharged and the subject matter of the bill be referred to a particular committee.
Why It's Important
Second reading is important because it is the first time that MPs can debate the bill. The Minister responsible for the bill will normally begin the debate. He or she will describe the bill's purpose and state why it should be read a second time. The Leader of the Opposition will criticize the bill and state why it should not be read a second time. A number of MPs may then join the debate and present brief arguments for or against the bill.
The media keep the public informed about all important issues debated in the House of Commons.
What You Need To Do
1. If you are in the Cabinet or Government Backbench, develop arguments for the bill. If you are in the Official Opposition or Third Party, develop arguments against it. Choose which members of your group will speak on the bill during the simulation.
Cabinet speakers should include:
the Prime Minister the Minister responsible for the bill
Official Opposition speakers should include:
the Leader of the Opposition the Opposition Critic (Shadow Minister) Third Party speakers should include:
the Party Leader the Critic
Decide which speaker will present each argument you have developed.
1. The Minister responsible for the bill and the Leader of the Opposition should prepare three-minute speeches. The Leader of the Third Party and any other MPs speaking should prepare one- to two-minute speeches. 2. One MP from each opposition party should prepare an amendment to the motion for second reading. Only one amendment can be moved at a time. An amendment must be debated and voted on before another amendment can be moved. 3. As a group, read through the House of Commons Simulation Script "Second Reading of a Government Bill." 4. Record today's observations in your learning log. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/sim/scripts/HoC_scripts_07_e.htm Simulation Scripts for the House of Commons
Second Reading of a Government Bill
During second reading, a bill is subjected to a thorough debate for the first time. The Opposition is able to criticize both the underlying policy that the bill expresses and its specific purpose. The Government then defends it.
Simulation
Key Players: Speaker, Clerk, Minister, Leader of the Opposition, MPs
Speaker: "Government orders." Clerk: "Second reading of Bill C- ... [Youth Electors Act, or National Essential Services Act, or Gasoline Preservation Act]
Speaker: "The Honourable Minister of (name of Cabinet position) [Minister nods to Speaker.] seconded by the Minister of (name of Cabinet position) moves that Bill C- ... [Youth Electors Act, or National Essential Services Act, or Gasoline Preservation Act] be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on ..."
[If you have chosen the Youth Electors Act, it will be referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights; if the National Essential Services Act, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration; if the Gasoline Preservation Act, the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. A bill written by the students will be referred to the appropriate committee.]
[The Speaker recognizes the Minister moving the motion.]
Speaker: "The Honourable Minister of (name of Cabinet position)."
Minister: [Stand.] "Thank you Mr. Speaker. Bill C- ..., an
Act to ..."
[The Minister will speak for about three minutes on the purpose of the bill and why it should be read for a second time. Then sit.]
Speaker: "The Honourable Leader of the Official
Opposition." Leader of [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I must speak the Official against Bill C- ... as this legislation will ..." Opposition:
[The Leader of the Official Opposition will speak for about three minutes about why the bill is flawed, and why it should not be read for a second time. Then sit.
The Speaker then allows MPs for and against the bill to speak for about one to two minutes each. MPs rise to indicate their desire to speak, and when the Speaker selects an MP the other MPs must be seated. For example, if an MP has spoken on the motion for second reading, he or she may not speak again unless an amemdment is moved. An amendment is a new question and that same MP could, therefore, speak again.]
Speaker: "The Member for (name of riding)."
MP: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in
support of Bill C- ... because ..." [Sit.]
Speaker: "The Member for (name of riding)."
MP: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I most strongly disagree with the Member for (Name of riding of previous speaker). Bill C- ... will not ..." [Sit.]
[An Opposition MP can propose an amendment to the motion for second reading. See Background Lesson 4: How a Bill Becomes a Law, for the types of amendment that are allowed at this point.]
Speaker: "The Member for (name of riding)."
MP: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I move that Bill
C- ... be amended by ..." [Sit.]
Speaker: "It has been moved by the Member for (name of riding) seconded by the Member for (name of riding) that Bill C- ..., an Act to ... be amended by ... Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the amendment? Debate?"
[The amendment is then debated until no further MPs wish to speak about it; the Speaker will then invite the MPs to verbally vote on the amendment.]
Speaker: "Is the House ready for the question?"
Speaker: "The Member for (name of riding of MP who originally proposed the amendment), seconded by the Honourable Member for (name of riding of MP who originally seconded the amendment), has moved that Bill C- ... be amended by ... Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this amendment?" Some "Agreed (Opposition MPs in favour of the
MPs: amendment)."
(Simultaneously)
Some "No (Government MPs opposed to the
MPs: amendment)." Speaker: "All those in favour of the motion (the
amendment) will please say yea." Some "Yea." (Opposition MPs)
MPs: Speaker: "All those opposed will please say nay." Some "Nay." (Government MPs)
MPs: Speaker: "In my opinion the nays (or yeas) have it."
[Debate resumes on the motion for second reading of the bill. If the amendment has been defeated, or if no one further wishes to speak, the Speaker will put the bill to a verbal vote.]
Speaker: "It has been moved by the Minister of (name of Cabinet position) seconded by the Minister of (name of Cabinet position) that Bill C- ..., an Act to ... be read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on ..."
"Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion?"
Some "Agreed." (Government MPs)
MPs:
(Simultaneously)
Some "No." (Opposition MPs)
MPs: Speaker: "All those in favour of the motion will please
say yea." Some "Yea." (Government MPs)
MPs: Speaker: "All those opposed will please say nay." Some "Nay." (Opposition MPs)
MPs: Speaker: "In my opinion the yeas have it."
[The motion is agreed to, and the bill is referred to the appropriate standing committee. However, if at least five MPs stand to signify they want a recorded vote, the Speaker will say "Call in the Members." The bells will ring to summon MPs for a recorded vote.]
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/empu/english/assessment/simulation-assessment-form_e.htm Simulation Assessment Form
Name: ______Date:______
For each category, give the student a mark from 0 to 4 using the marking scale provided. Tally up the points at the bottom of the chart to determine the student's score out of 20 possible marks.
No participation Poor Good Fair Excellent 0 1 2 3 4
Observations 0 1 2 3 4 Totals Knowledge:
Of role
Of parliamentary concepts Preparation:
Is fully prepared Cooperation:
Shares in the work
Helps the group work together Parliamentary Behaviour:
Acts in a parliamentary way Follows Rules of Order
Uses proper terminology Attitude and Presentation: Displays involvement, enthusiasm and a positive attitude towards activity
Communicates effectively TOTAL /20