Welcome to Parliament English | anglais Parliament is the home of Canadian democracy. Canada is a confederation of ten provinces and It is where parliamentarians meet to make new laws, three territories that share a common federal debate government policy and examine the issues government. Senators and Members of Parliament of the day. work together to represent Canadians from across the country. 3 4 1 5 2 1 Senate (the Senate of Canada Building) 2 House of Commons (West Block) 3 Centre Block (closed for rehabilitation) 4 East Block 5 Visitor Welcome Centre The House of The Monarch The Senate Commons How Parliament Works Canada is a constitutional monarchy, meaning the Monarch is the Head of State and the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. Parliament has three parts, which all SBK>QB SK>Q work together to create new laws. CANADA 105 SEATS 338 SEATS • Head of State • The Upper Chamber • The Lower Chamber • Represented by the • Appointed • Elected Governor General • Represents Canada by • Represents Canada by region population Making Canada’s Laws – How Does it Work? A bill (proposed Parliamentarians If the bill passes, The bill goes back If the bill passes Once the bill has law) is introduced debate the bill it is sent to a for a final debate the vote, it is been passed by in either the and vote to decide committee, which and vote, based on sent to the other both Chambers, Senate or whether it should studies it in depth the committee’s Chamber, where it it goes to the the House of be studied further. and may suggest report. goes through the Governor General Commons. changes. same process. for Royal Assent and becomes Canadian law. The Senate The House of Commons The Senate is Parliament’s Upper Chamber. Senators The House of Commons is the elected Lower Chamber. are appointed by the Governor General on the advice Each Member of Parliament (MP) represents a specific of the Prime Minister to represent Canada’s regions geographic area in Canada, known as a constituency. and minority groups. Seats are distributed by region to ensure equal representation across the country. MPs represent the people in their constituency and bring their concerns to the House of Commons. Senators are Canadians of accomplishment and MPs spend much of their time debating, voting and experience from various professional backgrounds. participating in committees. Senators refine legislation, suggest amendments, introduce bills and debate current issues. Most MPs belong to a political party. The party leader with the most seats becomes the Prime Minister and Much of the Senate’s work is done in committee where forms the Government. The second-largest party Senators use their expertise and hear from witnesses to becomes the Official Opposition. study bills. SBK>QB SK>Q CANATheDA Senate West Block of Canada Building Completed in 1912, the Completed in 1865, West Senate of Canada Building Block is one of the original was originally Ottawa’s central Parliament buildings. train station. Over time, it has housed The station closed in 1966 offices for Members of and was later converted Parliament and government into meeting rooms for the departments. The building government. The building was renovated to become was renovated to house the the home of the House of Senate while Centre Block is Commons during Centre being rehabilitated. Block’s closure..