SPEAKER’S CHAIR 1 7 GOVERNMENT The Speaker oversees the A majority government is proceedings from the formed when one political impressive carved oak chair at party wins the majority of seats the south end of the Chamber. in the Assembly. A minority The Speaker makes sure that government occurs when a MLAs follow established governing party does not win rules of behaviour and the majority of seats in an parliamentary procedure. election, but has the support of The Speaker is neutral and a majority of the Members. only votes to break a tie. 8 PREMIER CLERK’S TABLE 2 The Premier is the leader of The Clerk of the House and the political party that is the Clerks Assistant sit at the 11 11 supported by the majority Clerk’s Table on the floor of of Members in the Assembly the Chamber. The Clerks are and becomes the head of permanent officers of the the provincial government. House who offer non-partisan The Premier is also the advice on parliamentary President of the Executive procedure to the Speaker Council made up of the and all MLAs. Ministers of the Crown. 12 SERGEANT-AT-ARMS 3 9 OPPOSITION The Sergeant-at-Arms is The political party in responsible for security at the Opposition that wins the Parliament Buildings, including 6 6 largest number of seats in the Legislative Chamber. The an election becomes the Sergeant-at-Arms is on hand Official Opposition. The during debates, seated next to 1 primary role of the Official the Bar of the House, to ensure Opposition, and other the security of the MLAs and to smaller opposition parties enforce the Speaker’s orders. and independent MLAs, is to question government actions 8 10 MACE 4 7 2 9 and present alternatives to government policies. The mace is the symbol of 4 the Legislative Assembly’s authority to govern. It is 10 LEADER OF THE placed on the Clerk’s Table OFFICIAL OPPOSITION at the start of each sitting by The Leader of the Official the Sergeant-at-Arms which Opposition is the leader of the signifies that the House is in political party in Opposition session with the monarch’s with the largest number of full knowledge and consent. seats after a general election.

BAR OF THE HOUSE 5 11 PUBLIC GALLERY 5 The Bar of the House is a brass Seats are available to the bar that blocks entrance to the public in the galleries Chamber that cannot be crossed overlooking the Chamber to by anyone who is not an MLA, observe the work of the MLAs. unless by invitation of the The public are welcomed to Speaker. The Bar of the House the galleries whenever the is a reminder of the MLAs 3 House is sitting. authority to meet without the Crown’s interference. 12 PRESS GALLERY A term that refers to both HANSARD 6 the seats above the Speaker’s Hansard is the official Chair where reporters sit to report of the debates of watch the MLAs at work, the Legislative Assembly. as well as the group of MLA desks have microphones Inside the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, British Columbia, reporters that cover the and the Chamber walls have news of the Legislature. television cameras for live the 87 elected representatives – called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) - broadcasting. Hansard is also available as a written report meet to shape the future of the province. on the internet.