The Legislature

Key Terms

Ad hoc Committees (p. 241) Also known as a working legislative committee, whose mandate is time-limited.

Adjournment (p. 235) The temporary suspension of a legislative sitting until it reconvenes.

Auditor General (p. 228) An independent officer responsible for auditing and reporting to the legislature regarding a government’s spending and operations.

Backbenchers (p. 225) Rank-and-file legislators without cabinet responsibilities or other special legislative titles or duties.

Bicameral legislature (p. 208) A legislative body consisting of two chambers (or “houses”).

Bill (p. 241) A piece of draft legislation tabled in the legislature.

Budget (p. 236) A document containing the government’s projected revenue, expenditures, and economic forecasts.

Budget Estimates (p. 237) The more detailed, line-by-line statements of how each department will treat revenues and expenditures.

By-election (p. 208) A district-level election held between general elections.

Coalition government (p. 219) A hung parliament in which the cabinet consists of members from more than one political party.

Committee of the Whole (p. 241) Another name for the body of all legislators.

Confidence convention (p. 208)The practice under which a government must relinquish power when it loses a critical legislative vote.

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Contempt (p. 224) A formal denunciation of a member’s or government’s unparliamentary behaviour by the speaker.

Consensus Government (p. 247) A system of governance that operates without political parties.

Crossing the floor (p. 216) A situation in which a member of the legislature leaves one political party to join another party.

Dissolution (p. 235) The process by which a Parliament or legislature is closed, resulting in a general election of new members.

Earned majority (p. 217) A majority government in which the governing party’s share of the popular vote is at least 50 per cent.

Filibuster (p. 245) The extension of parliamentary debate, typically by opposition members, to delay the passage of a bill.

Fiscal Updates (p. 237) Semi-annual announcement of the state of the government’s economic, revenue, and spending projections.

Fixed-date election law (p. 208) Legislation prescribing that general elections be held on a particular date, or range of dates, typically every four years.

Free Vote (p. 228) A bill or motion in the legislature on which party members, except members of cabinet, are allowed to vote however they choose without sanction.

Gazette (p. 245) The official journal listing government appointments, changes to laws and regulations, and other notices.

House of Commons (p. 208) The lower house of the Canadian Parliament, consisting of elected members from across the country.

House Leader (p. 224) A member of the legislature responsible for the overall performance of her or his party in the legislative process.

Hung Parliament (p. 217) A government in which no single party controls at least half of the seats in the legislature.

Leader of the official opposition (p. 225) Typically, the leader of the party with the second-most seats in the legislatures.

Legislative Committee (p. 240) A small group of legislators assigned to deliberate and report back to the legislature.

Lock-Up (p. 237) The process through which invited individuals are given confidential advance access to budget documents.

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Majority Government (p. 216) A government in which the governing party controls at least half of the seats in the legislature.

Manufactured majority (p. 217) A majority government in which the governing party’s share of the popular vote is less than 50 per cent.

Member of Parliament (MP) (p. 212) One of the over 300 representatives elected by Canadians to serve in the House of Commons.

Motion (p. 245) A proposed parliamentary action.

Minority Government (p. 218) A hung parliament in which the cabinet consists of members from one political party.

Omnibus Legislation (p. 243) Bills or laws that address a wide variety of public policy issues in a single document.

Opposition Days (p. 240) Time allotted to opposition parties to raise their own motions and legislation.

Parliamentary privilege (p. 223) The legal immunity enjoyed by members of a legislature for things done or said in the course of their duties in the chamber.

Party Caucus (p. 216) All the members of a political party who hold a seat in the legislature.

Party Discipline (p. 217) Legislator’s strict adherence to the directives of their party leadership.

Party Whip (p. 226) Individual member of the legislature responsible for ensuring caucus members toe the party line.

Prorogation (p. 235) The process by which a legislative session is closed.

Question Period (p. 239) The time allotted for members to ask oral questions of the government in the legislature.

Regulation (p. 245) A directive passed by the executive specifying how the primary legislation is to be administered.

Senate (p. 209) Also known as the Red Chamber, the upper house of the Canadian Parliament, consisting of members chosen by the executive.

Senator (p. 209) One of the appointed members of the upper house of the Canadian Parliament.

Inside Canadian Politics © Oxford University Press Canada, 2016

Speaker (p. 222) The member of the legislature responsible for presiding over its rules and general decorum.

Speech from the Throne (p. 234) Document read by the governor general or lieutenant governor, officially opening a new session of the legislature and detailing the government’s plans.

Standing Committee (p. 241) Also known as a permanent legislative committee, whose existence is defined by standing orders.

Standing orders (p. 237) The body of rules governing the conduct of the legislature.

Unicameral legislature (p. 208) A legislative body consisting of one chamber (or “house”).

Review Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Aside from the House of Commons, which of the following makes up the Canadian legislature at the federal level? a) Supreme Court of Canada b) Cabinet c) Senate d) Governor General

2. Which two provinces have 24 senators each? a) Quebec and Ontario b) Ontario and Alberta c) Quebec and Alberta d) Quebec and British Columbia

3. Which of the following provinces has the least amount of senators? a) Newfoundland b) Manitoba c) Nova Scotia d) Prince Edward Island

Inside Canadian Politics © Oxford University Press Canada, 2016

4. Which of the following are options for a hung parliament? a) Earned government b) Manufactured government c) Coalition d) All of the above

5. How many coalition governments have been formed at the federal level in Canada? a) None b) One c) Two d) Three

6. Typically the leader of the party with the second-most seats in the legislature is known as which of the following? a) Party whip b) Government whip c) House leader d) Leader of the opposition

7. What does a parliamentary session begin with? a) An election b) Dissolution c) Speech from the Throne d) Prorogation

8. What term refers to the period of time given to opposition members to ask questions from government members? a) Private member business b) Statements by ministers c) Government orders d) Oral Question period

9. Money bills can only be introduced in the House of Commons. True or False? a) True b) False

10. At which stage of the passage of a bill is the bill scrutinized on a clause by clause basis? a) Second reading b) Committee Stage c) Third Reading d) Report Stage

Inside Canadian Politics © Oxford University Press Canada, 2016

Discussion Questions

1. Describe the legislative process in which a bill becomes law.

2. Describe a typical day of a Member of Parliament in session.

3. Why has there been a strong push towards Senate reform in Canada?

Further Resources

Websites

 Office of the Auditor General of Canada http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/index.htm

The official website of the Auditor General of Canada includes links to auditor general reports, senate expenses, and various other expense and commission reports.

 Canadian Senate http://sen.parl.gc.ca/portal/home-e.htm

The website of the Senate of Canada provides specific information on senators and its members.

 House of Commons http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/ParlInfo/compilations/HouseOfCommons.aspx?Menu=HoC

This is probably one of the most significant websites for this chapter, as it details information about the House of Commons, its members, information on the different levels of government, procedures and questions, as well as information regarding representation.

 Speech from the Throne http://www.speech.gc.ca/

The Speech from the throne is an important aspect of Canadian parliamentary systems as it initiates the beginning of a new parliamentary session. This website includes full text versions of the speech as well as other information on diversity, open government, and many other issues addressed in parliament.

 2015-2015 Budget Estimates http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hgw-cgf/finances/pgs-pdg/gepme-pdgbpd/20152016/me-bpdtb- eng.asp

This website is dedicated to documents detailing budget, government expenses, and expenditure plans and estimates.

 Parliament of Canada - http://www.parl.gc.ca/default.aspx?Language=E

The official website of the Parliament of Canada includes information on parliamentary business, chamber and current business, and information on bills, procedures, petitions, journals, and many other aspects of the Parliament of Canada.

 Bills before Parliament http://www.parl.gc.ca/LegisInfo/Home.aspx?language=E&ParliamentSession=42-1

This archived website lists and organizes all current and past bills that are going through or were passed before Parliament.

 Parliamentary Committees http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/List

The official website of all House of Commons Committees is a great website that also provides additional links to the specific committees.

 Guide to the Canadian House of Commons http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/GuideToHoC/role-e.htm

This website is a specific guide to the Canadian House of Commons and includes a who’s who in the House, the role of MPs, an explanation of a typical day in the House of Commons, and many other informative tools regarding the procedures and mechanisms of the House of Commons.

Articles/Books

 J. Smith, The Democratic Dilemma : reforming the Canadian Senate (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2009).

This is an informative book that looks at the challenges of reforming the Canadian Senate. It not only examines some of the reforms that have gone through the legislative process, but the problems and obstacles associated with reforming the Senate through legislation.

 J. Serge, Protecting Canadian democracy: The Senate You Never Knew (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2003).

This book has a historical and comparative perspective to understanding the role of the Canadian Senate. In addition to its comparison and historical development, this book also examines Senate reforms that have taken place over the years and examines the Senate through its constitutional framework and amendment procedures. Inside Canadian Politics © Oxford University Press Canada, 2016

 A. Loat and C.M. MacMillan, Tragedy in the Commons : Former Members of Parliament Speak out about Canada's Failing Democracy (Toronto: Random House Canada, 2014).

Although this book is written by members of a think tank, it does focus on the experiential side of working in the House of Commons. The authors interviewed former Members of Parliament and wrote about their experience as MPs in a very candid manner.

 B. Rathgeber, Irresponsible Government : The Decline of Parliamentary Democracy in Canada (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2014).

This book is another candid perspective on the doings and (wrongdoings) in Parliament, with a specific focus on the concept and practice of responsible government. It is very relevant to this chapter as it does give an insightful and detailed perspective on the separation between the executive and legislative branches of government.

 P. H. Russell, Two Cheers for Minority Government: The Evolution of Canadian parliamentary Democracy. Toronto: Emond Montgomery Publications, 2008).

This book details the pros and cons of being ruled under a minority government in comparison to ineffective majority governments.

RSS Feeds

 Legislative Activities and Summaries http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/Faq.aspx?Language=E

 Senate committees http://www.parl.gc.ca/SenCommitteeBusiness/GetNews.aspx?parl=41&ses=2&Language= E

 Canadian Senate https://jobs- emplois.sen.parl.gc.ca/cl4/xweb/Xweb.asp?tbtoken=YVtQRRJYRVU4FAF4NyYnHCRUd WMtfUxYLiUuQC4kXiNRTioECmBFXTJtKEZpdRN8BENdGVtQSHBkXTpQ&chk=d FlbQBJQ&CLID=21004&page=rssfeedparameters&lang=1

Answers to Review Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. c (p. 208) 2. a (p. 210) 3. d (p. 213) 4. c (p. 217) 5. b (p. 221) 6. d (p. 225) 7. c (p. 234) 8. d (p. 239) 9. a (p. 243) 10. b (p. 246)