Our Country, Our Parliament

A GUIDE FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND AN INTRODUCTION TO HOW PARLIAMENT WORKS
Photos in this publication are from the Library of Parliament unless otherwise indicated.

Mountie on cover: © (2007) HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Reprinted with the permission of the RCMP.

© Library of Parliament, 2009

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Our country, our Parliament : a guide for learners of English as a second language and an introduction to how Parliament works.

Issued also in French under title: Notre pays, notre Parlement, un guide d'apprentissage destiné aux apprenants du français langue seconde
et une introduction au fonctionnement du Parlement.
ISBN 978-0-662-46116-6
Cat. no.: YM41-5/2007E

1. Canada. Parliament. 2. Legislative power--Canada. 3. Representative government and representation--Canada.

4. Canada--Politics and government. 5. English language--Textbooks for second language learners--French speakers.
I. Canada. Library of Parliament II. Title.

JL136.O87 2009 328.71 C2007-980136-6

 Our Country, Our Parliament
A GUIDE FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND AN INTRODUCTION TO HOW PARLIAMENT WORKS
 What’s PARLIAMENT OR GOVERNMENT — WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? 6

Inside HOW TO USE OUR COUNTRY, OUR PARLIAMENT

What Do the Icons Mean?

Your Youth Narrators
7
7

1. CANADA: THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY

Democracy Defined 8
Confederation 9
The Constitution 11
Constitution Act, 1982 11
Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms 12

2. CANADA’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Overview of the Canadian Parliamentary System 14

The Three Levels of Government 15
The Division of Powers 16

3. CANADA’S DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Elections 17
Dissolving Parliament 18
Campaigns 18
Political Parties 20
Voting 21
Forming a Government 22

4
4. THE BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT

The Role of the Monarch 23

The Two-Chamber System:
The Senate and the House of Commons 23
The Senate 24
The House of Commons 26
The Prime Minister 28
The Cabinet 28
The Speakers 29
Process of Passing a Bill 30
On the Job with a Senator 32
A Day in the Life of a Member of Parliament 33
Parliament 24/7 35

5. YOUR CAPITAL

Why Ottawa? 37
On the Hill 37
The Parliament Buildings 37

6. PARLIAMENT IN MOTION

Evolving Parliamentary Democracy 42

Getting Involved in Democracy 43

Glossary 44
Web Links 49
Getting to Know Your Youth Narrators 50

5
PARLIAMENT OR GOVERNMENT

What’s the Difference?

• Monarch • Executive (the Monarch and

• the Monarch Governor General, the Prime
(represented by the • Prime Minister
Minister and the Cabinet)
Governor General) • Cabinet members
(Senators and MPs) • Federal departments
• Senators (such as National Defence,
• Members of Public Safety, and Citizenship
Parliament (MPs) and Immigration)

WORD BUILDER — Parliament or Government

These two words don’t mean the same thing!
Parliament is the legislative (law-making) part of government, made up of the Monarch,
the Senate and the House of Commons. For example, Parliament passed a bill.
Government has two meanings:
• Generally, government refers to the management (governing) of a country.
• Specifically, the Government consists of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the federal
departments they manage.

6
 How to Use Our Country, Our Parliament
This book introduces you to Canada’s What Do the Icons Mean?
Parliament. By the time you finish this You will see icons (symbols) in this book. These icons introduce you to new ideas and information.
book, you will understand:
WHAT ABOUT ME? TALK ABOUT IT!
• how parliamentary democracy works These sections contain discussion ques- Look for this icon for suggestions on topics
in Canada tions, or questions to ask yourself. for discussion with your friends and family.

• how people get appointed or elected WORD BUILDER THINK ABOUT IT!
to Parliament This is where you can learn new words and Think about why people acted the way
phrases. they did. Imagine other ways they could
• what Senators and MPs do in
have acted.
Parliament DID YOU KNOW?
Find out interesting facts about Parliament! When a word is in bold you can find its
• how decisions made in Parliament
definition in the glossary at the back of
affect you and your community THE MAGNIFYING GLASS
this book.
Look closer when you see this symbol.
Parliament is a big place! To help you find
your way around, a team of narrators
have volunteered to help out.

Your Youth Narrators

Find out more about the youth narrators at the back of this book.

7
 Canada: The Road 6 7

to Democracy
S EC T
ION

1
1 3 2
C A N A D A I S A D E M O C R A C Y. W H A T I S A D E M O C R A C Y ?
Democracy Defined 6
The word democracy describes a political CANADIAN COAT OF ARMS — A coat of arms is
a symbol used to identify someone or something.
system. Sometimes a coat of arms appears on an important
In a democratic country, all eligible building, or at the top of an official letter. This is the coat
citizens have the right to participate, either of arms of Canada. It contains many symbols that give 4
us clues about Canada’s history and what Canadians
directly or indirectly, in making the deci- feel is important. See if you can spot: 3 3 4
sions that affect them. Canadian citizens 1 the flag of the United Kingdom
normally elect someone to represent them 2 the royal flag of France (fleur-de-lis)
in making decisions at the different levels 3 symbols of England (golden lions, roses)
4 symbols of Scotland (red lion, thistles, unicorn) 5 2
of government. This is called a representative
democracy. Countries like Canada, the 5 symbols of Ireland (harp, shamrocks)

United States of America and the 6 Canadian symbols (maple leaves)

7 symbols of monarchy (crowns, royal helmet) 6
United Kingdom all have representative
8 the words (in Latin) desiderantes meliorem patriam, 8
democracies. which means they desire a better country
Before European people came to Canada, 9
9 the words (in Latin) a mari usque ad mare, which
many different Aboriginal people governed means from sea to sea
5
their regions using many different political 4

systems, including a democratic one. 3

TALK ABOUT IT WORD BUILDER — The word democracy
Students in your class may come from comes from the Greek word demos (mean- TALK ABOUT IT
many different countries. Are these coun- ing the people) and kratos (meaning rule). What symbols identify you? Your family?
tries democracies? How many of your Early forms of democracy began around Your community? Look around your
classmates have experience with other 2,500 years ago, in Athens and other Greek neighbourhood. Can you see symbols that
political systems? How are they similar to cities. identify other people or things? Make a
democracies? How are they different? Using a dictionary, look up some other list of these symbols. List the other symbols
DID YOU KNOW? — Creating official designs for words that start with demo. List them with your classmates collected. Do you all
coats of arms is the responsibility of the Canadian your class. Think about what they mean. agree on what the symbols mean?
Heraldic Authority. The Governor General is in
charge of this organization.

8
 WORD BUILDER — Aboriginal peoples Confederation New Brunswick and Canada (which became
Canada became a nation, the Dominion of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec). The
People have lived in Canada for at least
Canada, in 1867. Before that, British North BNA Act described the structure and main
12,000 years. In Canada, we usually describe
America was made up of a few provinces, laws of the new country, as well as the
the ancestors of these first peoples as
the vast area of Rupert’s Land (privately division of powers between the new
Aboriginals. There are three main groups
owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company), provinces and the federal government.
of Aboriginal people in Canada.
and the North-Western Territory. By 1864,
• First Nations people live all across the many leaders felt that it would be good to
country in cities, on traditional lands and join into one country. Known as the Fathers
on reservations (land reserved for them). of Confederation, these leaders met and
wrote a constitution for the new country,
• Inuit people live in the Far North, and
which had to be passed by the Parliament
they share ancestors with the Aboriginal
of the United Kingdom. Once passed, it
peoples of Siberia, Alaska and Greenland.
became known as the British North America
• Métis people have a combination of an- Act, or the BNA Act. This Act brought
cestors of First Nations and European together the three provinces of Nova Scotia,
origin.

THINK ABOUT IT CANADA IN 1867 — Canada was much smaller in 1867.

Does your school have a student council? It included only four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Where do you live? Was
How do you decide which students will it part of Canada in 1867? Photo reproduced with the permission
of Natural Resources Canada 2008, courtesy of the Atlas of Canada
represent you? What decisions does a
student council have to make? Why is it DID YOU KNOW? — The rest of Canada’s provinces 1867 Ontario, Quebec, 1873 Prince Edward Island
important that you have a representative? and territories joined Confederation (became a part of New Brunswick, 1898 Yukon Territory
the country) at later dates: Nova Scotia 1905 Alberta, Saskatchewan
We have had a type of democracy in Canada since the 1870 Manitoba, 1949 Newfoundland and
mid-1300s! Did you know that the Iroquois Confederacy Northwest Territories Labrador
in Canada was the first democracy in North America? 1999 Nunavut
1871 British Columbia

1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

SECTION 1 Canada: The Road to Democracy 9

 1

1 the Right Honourable

THIS PAINTING, CALLED “FATHERS OF CONFEDERATION” is based Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s
on the original, “Meeting of the Delegates of British North America.” first Prime Minister
The men shown here helped make the final agreement that created
House of Commons Collection, Ottawa
Canada. After years of political debate, there were three historic 2 the Honourable
meetings in Quebec City, Charlottetown and London, England to Sir George-Étienne Cartier
decide the future creation of Canada. 3 Thomas D’Arcy McGee
The artist, Robert Harris, worked mostly from photographs of the men.

THINK ABOUT IT
DID YOU KNOW? — The original painting by Robert Harris burned
Why are there no women during the fire that destroyed most of the Centre Block of the
in this painting? Parliament Buildings in 1916. Today, the tribute copy of it, by Rex Woods,
hangs in a committee room at Parliament. The major differences
between the two are: a portrait of Robert Harris on the right and three
more delegates to the London Conference of 1866 (who were officially
recognized in 1927) were added.

Charlottetown
Quebec City

10
 THE QUEEN IS SIGNING
THE CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982.
1 the Honourable Gerald Regan
(Minister of Labour)
2 the Right Honourable Pierre Trudeau
1 3 (Prime Minister)
3 the Honourable Michael Pitfield
(Clerk of the Privy Council)
4 the Honourable Michael Kirby
4 (Secretary to the Cabinet for
The Constitution
Federal-Provincial Relations and The Constitution is the highest law in
2 5 Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council)
Canada. It includes several different laws,
5 Queen Elizabeth II
Based on Robert Cooper, Canada. Office of the Prime Minister
decisions by judges, agreements between
Collection, Library and Archives Canada, e02282980
the federal and provincial governments, and
traditions. The main written parts of the
Constitution of Canada are the Constitu-
WORD BUILDER — Many words can be tion Act, 1867 (this used to be called
changed from a verb to a noun by adding the British North America Act) and the
WORD BUILDER -ment: Constitution Act, 1982.
NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE • amend ➞ amendment
colony colonize colonial Constitution Act, 1982
• govern ➞
government govern governable In 1982, the Queen and the Right Honourable
symbol symbolize symbolic • argue (careful of the e!) ➞ Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister, signed the
Constitution Act, 1982, which includes the
• Try using some of these words in sen- • assess ➞
British North America Act and the Canadian
tences. Notice the endings on the adjec-
• assign ➞ Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
tives: -ial, -able, -ic.
• See if you can fill in the table with some Brainstorm with your class. What other
WHAT ABOUT ME?
of these other nouns: contact, collection, words follow this pattern? Try using both
List some of the rules or laws that affect
identity, democracy. the verbs and the new nouns in sentences.
you. Does your family or your school have
rules? Are these rules written down? Who
is responsible for enforcing the rules? Are
these rules easy to change? What would
The Constitution Act is difficult to change. For some parts of the Act,
happen if the rules were easy to change?
the Senate, the House of Commons and all provinces must agree
to any amendments (changes). Other parts can be changed with the
agreement of the Senate, the House of Commons and at least seven
provinces with more than 50% of the total population of all the provinces.

SECTION 1 Canada: The Road to Democracy 11

 1

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

2
1 the Canadian coat of arms
2 the flag of Canada
3 the Parliament Buildings (Centre Block)
4 signature of the Right Honourable Pierre Trudeau
(Prime Minister in 1982)

Canadian Charter of Rights

TALK ABOUT IT
and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights What rights are most important to you
and and to your family and friends? Although
Freedoms forms the first part
of the
Constitution Act, 1982. Here are som most human rights are protected in
e pro-
Canada, sometimes citizens challenge the 3
tections that the Charter guarantees:
Charter’s interpretation of these rights.
• freedom of religion, of thought, Look in the newspaper. Can you find stories
of expression, of the press and about these challenges?
of peaceful assembly

• the right to participate in politica WORD BUILDER — Look closely at this word:
l
activities and the right to a democra
tic FREEDOM
government
The word divides into two – free and dom. 4
• the freedom to move around and The word free comes from the old German
live
within Canada, and to leave Canada frei (meaning beloved) and the Sanskrit
• legal rights such as the right to life, priyah (beloved); -dom is sometimes added
liberty and security to the end of a word to make it a noun
(wisdom, kingdom). What other words
• equality rights contain the word free?
• language rights

12
 n Heritage
Department of Canadia
SECTION 1 Canada: The Road to Democracy 13
S EC T IO
Canada’s System of Government
N

2 Overview of the Canadian

Parliamentary System
Three branches work together to govern
Canada: the executive, legislative and
judicial branches. The executive branch
(also called the Government) is the decision-
making branch, made up of the Monarch
represented by the Governor General,
the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet. The
legislative branch is the law-making
branch, made up of the appointed Senate
and the elected House of Commons. The
judicial branch is a series of independent
courts that interpret the laws passed by the
other two branches.
Parliament itself is made up of the
following three parts: the Monarch, the
Senate and the House of Commons.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy,
which means that we recognize the Queen
or King as the Head of State, while the
Prime Minister is the Head of Government.

14
 the Latin
the Latin The municipal level (from
The provincial level (from zen of a
ent municipalis, meaning of a citi
The Three Levels of Governm provincia, meaning under Rom
an rule:
of free town).
Canada has three main levels from pro, to be in favour of som
ething,
nt that is
government. the terri- This is the level of governme
and vincere, to conquer) and or district
in foedus, ra, mean- usually based in a city, town
The federal level (from the Lat torial level (from the Latin ter ernments
(a municipality). Municipal gov
meaning league). ing land). such as
in Canada, are responsible for areas
ls with In each of the 10 provinces
This level of government dea libraries, parks, community
water sys-
ponsible
areas of law listed in the Const
i- the provincial government is res parking.
tion Act, tems, local police, roadways and
tution Act, 1867 and that for areas listed in the Constitu se areas
lth care, They receive authority for the
generally affect the whole 1867, such as education, hea nts.
road regu- from the provincial governme
countr y. (See list some natural resources, and also band
re respon- Across the countr y there are
on next page.) lations. Sometimes they sha Nations
ernment. councils, which govern First
sibility with the federal gov d councils
their ow n communities . These electe
The three territories have ncils and
ilities that are similar to municipal cou
governments, with responsib their local
are given to them by the federa
l make decisions that affect
government. communities.

Nation — Federal Level

Province/Territory —
Provincial/ Territorial Level
el
Municipality — Municipal Lev

SECTION 2 Canada’s System of Government 15

 The Division of Powers The federal government tries to make WORD BUILDER
The federal level of government has powers things fairer among the provinces. NOUN ADJECTIVE RELATED WORDS
that are different from those of provincial Through equalization payments (extra federation federal confederation
governments, including: money) given to provinces that are less federalize
wealthy, the federal government tries federate
to make sure that the standards of federalism
health, education and welfare are the
same for every Canadian.
In the same way that it lists the WHAT ABOUT ME?
powers of the federal government, the The next time you go to a park, notice
Constitution Act,1867 lists the powers which level of government is managing it:
of the provinces, including: federal, provincial or municipal. You can
usually tell by the signs at the entrance. Do
• direct taxes
you notice any differences between these
• hospitals parks? Think about their location and what
services and activities they have. Look at
• prisons
the Parks Canada website. Why do you
• education think these national parks were created?
How about provincial parks? City parks?
• marriage

• property and civil rights

The Act also says that the power

over agriculture and immigration
should be shared between the federal
and provincial governments.

The federal government makes

decisions that affect Canadians
every day.

16
 Canada’s
SECT IO N
Running for office takes dedication and
lots of hard work. Some candidates run
many times before they win an election.

3 Democracy in Action
Once the candidates are elected, they will
spend part of the year in Ottawa, and part
of the year in their home ridings.

Elections On Election Day, the candidate who gets

According to the Constitution Act, national the most votes becomes a Member of
elections must be held at least once every Parliament (MP) and represents his or her
five years to decide who will represent riding in the House of Commons in
Canadians in the House of Commons. Ottawa. The party with the most number WORD BUILDER — In the world of politics,
Canada is divided into areas called of elected MPs across the country usually the verb to run has a specific meaning. To
ridings (also called constituencies or electoral forms the Government. The leader of that run in an election means that you are com-
districts). Canadian citizens vote for the party becomes the Prime Minister. peting with other candidates to represent
candidate in their riding they think will your riding.
best represent them. In a riding there TALK ABOUT IT! During an election, you may hear the
may be several different candidates, Find a partner. Talk about other ways the expressions run for office and running in an
each from a different political party or word run is used (examples: running to election. They both mean to compete in an
running independently. catch a bus, running a business, a runny election as a candidate.
How does a person become a nose, running out of time). Use a dictionary
VERB NOUN ADJECTIVE
candidate? First, he or she has to be to find other examples. Write down all the
to elect election electoral (process,
nominated (or chosen) by fellow party uses you can. How would some of these
vote, officer)
members in his or her riding during a things be expressed in your home language?
or elective (surgery)
special meeting called a nomination meeting.
If more than one person in the party wants The word elect means to choose. Here are
to be a candidate for that riding, there is a DID YOU KNOW? — Because each riding should a few sentences with the word elect:
represent a relatively fixed number of people
vote during the nomination meeting to (approximately 70,000), as the population increases,
• She was elected in 2006.
decide who it will be. the number of ridings has to be increased and
the boundaries redrawn. In 1867, Canada had only
If a person does not belong to a party, 4 provinces and 181 ridings. In 2009, with 10 provinces
• An election will be held this year.
then he or she can run for election in his and 3 territories, the number of ridings was 308.
• He is the Chief Electoral Officer.
or her riding as an independent candidate.

SECTION 3 Canada’s Democracy in Action 17

 Campaigns WORD BUILDER — A teacher can dismiss
After an election is called and before the class – that is, the teacher can tell the class
day voting takes place (usually called that they can go home. The Governor
Election Day), each candidate competes General can dissolve Parliament, which is
with the other candidates in the riding to somewhat similar. These words both start
convince voters why he or she is the best with dis-. Take a look at these words:
choice. This is called a campaign. A candi-
Dissolving Parliament • disable • dissolve
date tells voters his or her message in many
The Prime Minister asks the Governor
different ways: • disappear • disagree
General to end (or dissolve) Parliament and
call an election. Dissolution (the act of dis- • campaign signs Like the prefix un, dis makes the root word
solving) happens when: into its opposite. Try using dis with the
• door-to-door canvassing
following familiar words, then create some
• the Government’s fixed four-year
• advertising campaigns (on television, sentences with them: advantage, approve,
term is complete
radio, billboards and in newspapers, believe, colour, comfort, connection,
• the Government loses a vote on for example) courage, engage, infect, illusion, satisfy, re-
certain important bills – on the spect.
• public meetings
budget, for example – in the Sometimes, the dis word is used more than
House of Commons • debates the root: disgust, for example. The root
gust (which is associated with the sense of
• a majority of MPs vote to defeat Many of these activities cost money.
taste) is not as familiar to English speakers
the Government in the House of There are rules about how much money
as disgust.
Commons on a vote of confidence, candidates are allowed to spend on cam-
including a vote against certain paigns, and how much money people are
important government measures allowed to give to candidates.
or bills, such as the budget Of course, to do all this work, candidates
have several people helping them. These
Even with the fixed four-year term,
people are called campaign workers. People
an election could still be held after the
of any age, including youth, can help out
Government loses an important vote in the
on campaigns.
House of Commons.

18
THESE ARE CAMPAIGN SIGNS.
What things do these signs have
in common? What is different?
What message do you think each
candidate is trying to tell voters?

SECTION 3 Canada’s Democracy in Action 19

 WHAT ABOUT ME? Political Parties WORD BUILDER — The word campaign
Have you ever participated in an election? Canada has many different political parties. comes from the Latin campus, which
Some ways that young people across People in the same party usually have similar means field. In ancient times, armies would
Canada get involved in elections are by opinions about public issues. In Parliament, take to the field when they fought. In
helping candidates, by bringing up impor- members of different parties often have English, we still use the word campaign to
tant issues at public debates and forums different opinions. This is why there are mean a military battle or series of battles.
and by expressing their opinions in letters sometimes disagreements during elections We can also use the word race to describe
to newspapers. Some issues that are often and when Parliament is sitting. an election competition. Race comes from
important to young Canadians are crime, Having different parties allows criticism the Old Norse ras, meaning running water.
access to colleges and universities, em- and encourages watchfulness. Canadians Like many words in English, we can use
ployment and skills training and equal have a choice in expressing different views race either as a noun or as a verb.
rights. Think about what election issues are by voting for a member from a specific
important to you. party during election time. This is called NOUN VERB EXAMPLES
the party system. race to race She ran a very
good race.
WHAT ABOUT ME? He raced to
You probably have opinions and ideas of the finish line.
what would be good for Canada. Think vote to vote
about one issue that is important to you form to form
(the environment, immigration, education, act to act
or law and order, for example). Research help to help
some of the major political parties in
Canada to find out where they stand on WORD BUILDER
your issue. Which one do you think has the
• issue • policy
best ideas? Imagine you are creating a
political party. What issues are important? • idea • opinion

These words are difficult to explain

because they are abstract. Look them up in
a dictionary if you do not know them. Can
you use these words in a sentence?

20
 Voting Voters make an X beside the name of
A Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age the candidate they prefer. Then they fold
or older by Election Day can vote after he up the ballot and place it into a ballot box. The minimum age to run
in an election is 18 years old.
or she has registered with Elections If they incorrectly mark a ballot, or The youngest person ever
Canada. Elections Canada will then send mark more than one name, that is called a elected to Parliament was
Claude-André Lachance,
out a voter information card and add him spoiled ballot and it will not be counted. who was 20 years old
or her to the voters’ list. Citizens can vote even if they are when he was elected in 1974.
On Election Day, most voters go to a travelling away from home or out of the
nearby location called a polling station, country on Election Day. Elections Canada
where their names are checked off the has information on how to vote by using a
voters’ list if they are already registered. If special mail-in ballot.
they have not yet registered, they can do so Once the voting ends, the votes are
at this time. At the polling station, each collected and added up. This can take a
TALK ABOUT IT!
voter is given a ballot (a piece of paper listing long time. Television stations have special
You or someone in your family probably
all the candidates in the riding). Voters do news programs to report the election
know about elections in other countries.
not have to tell anyone who they are voting results. Some races are very close and are
Ask your family about elections in your
for — it is a secret ballot. decided by a small number of votes.
country of origin. Here are some questions
3 you might want to ask:
1
Elections Canada

3 • Who was allowed to vote?

2
• How often were elections held?
• Where did people vote?
• Was the ballot secret?
1 • How did people find out who
had won?
Back in your classroom, find out if your
classmates have similar stories.

BALLOT BOX
2
BALLOT 1 Elections Canada logo
Elections Canada

name
1 candidate’s 2 polling station number
(o rd ered alp habetically)
3 slot for completed ballot
of the candidate
2 political party
the voter
3 circle where

21
oose
writes “X” to ch
SECTION 3 Canada’s Democracy in Action
 WHAT ABOUT ME?
Who is your MP? What riding do you live
Forming a Government
in? What party does your MP belong to? Do
When the election is over, all winning can-
you know where your MP’s riding office is?
didates are called Members of Parliament,
Look it up if you do not know! Your MP
or MPs for short. The MPs who belong to
has people working in his or her office who
parties that are not forming the Government
can help you if you have a problem, such
are called opposition MPs. The Official
as difficulty getting a government service,
Opposition is usually the party with the
or if you have a complaint or question
second-highest number of elected members
about government. It is your MP’s job to
after the winning party. The leader of this
listen to all his or her constituents (people
party is called the Leader of the Official
who live in a riding), even if they did not
Opposition.
vote for him or her or did not vote at all.

DID YOU KNOW? — Canada’s first Prime Minister,

THINK ABOUT IT
the Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald
(pictured at right), called the Senate a place of Elders often have a lot of experience to
“sober second thought.” share. Sometimes we call this wisdom.
House of Commons Collection, Ottawa
How are elders treated in your family and
When it is time for Parliament to sit, all community?
Parliamentarians will discuss and debate
new bills (proposed laws), and make
WORD BUILDER
decisions that affect every Canadian. For
SENATE
more information on bills, see Process of
This word comes from the Latin senix,
Passing a Bill in Section 4.
meaning elder. Literally, it means a council
of elders.

HOUSE OF COMMONS
I work in the Parliament Buildings. When Parliament
is in session, the Senators and MPs are in town. The word commons comes from the Latin
They meet to discuss issues and policy, and to debate communis, which means shared by many.
bills, both in the Chambers and in committee. Other related words are community, com-
munication and commune.

22
 CT
I ON
The Business of Parliament
SE

4 WORD BUILDER
The Governor General
has two official homes where
GOVERN – from the Greek word kybernan, he or she lives and works:
The Role of the Monarch Rideau Hall in Ottawa, not far
meaning to steer a ship (the same root as
Canada’s Monarch (King or Queen) is also from Parliament Hill, and
the word cyber). Govern is a verb: The King the Citadelle in Quebec City.
Monarch of 15 other independent nations.
governed well and wisely. Can you think of
The Monarch, on the advice of the Prime
other words that stem from govern?
Minister, appoints a Canadian to represent
him or her in Canada. This person is called MONARCHY – from the Greek monarkhia,
the Governor General. meaning ruling of one. It contains two
The Governor General has several duties parts: mono-, which means one, and
The Two-Chamber System:
related to Parliament. He or she officially arkhein, which means to rule. Mono is used
The Senate and
appoints the Prime Minister as Head of often in English. Think of these words:
the House of Commons
Government, and opens a new session of • monopoly
Canada has a bicameral parliamentary
Parliament with the Speech from the Throne • monotonous
system (the prefix bi- means two). That
in the Senate Chamber. This is a ceremonial • monologue
means that there are two separate Chambers,
speech, written by the Privy Council Office,
-archy sometimes ends words that describe each housing its own separate group of
in which the Governor General describes
how something is ruled. For example: parliamentarians: the Senate (p. 24) and the
the goals of the new government. He or she
• anarchy House of Commons (p. 26).
also officially dissolves Parliament, and gives
• hierarchy
Royal Assent to bills passed in Parliament.
DID YOU KNOW? — The Senate
The role of the Governor General also and the House of Commons are
includes: also called the Upper House and
OW?
DID YOU KN the Lower House. Another way
• serving as Commander-in-Chief of , the highest prize
The Stanley Cup , to talk about either of these places
Hockey League
Canada (of the Canadian Forces) in the National th is to say "Chamber" or "House."
Canada’s six
• hosting foreign dignitaries, and visiting was a gift from
Governo r G en eral,
other countries at the request of the (L or d) Stanley of Preston
Baron
3). The trophy
Prime Minister (served 1888–189 ion
med the “Domin
was originally na .”
• celebrating excellence by giving e Cup
Hockey Challeng
awards to outstanding Canadians

23
 The Senate DID YOU KNOW? — The Mace is the tradi-
tional symbol of the Senate’s and Speaker’s authority.
Senators are appointed by the Governor
Notice how it has a crown at the top? Once the Mace
General on the Prime Minister’s recom- is laid on the Table, the Senate is officially in session.
mendation. The formula for the number SENATE CHAMBER
and distribution of Senators was written 1 Throne (This is where the Monarch or the Governor
into the Constitution. In 1867, the Senate Chamber Business General sits to read the Speech from the Throne, which
started with 72 members, but this increased The Senate has an important role in the tells Canadians what to expect during a new session of
Parliament, and gives Royal Assent.)
as the country’s population and geography law-making process: it reviews and debates
2 Speaker of the Senate
grew. In 2009, the number of seats in the bills proposed by both Chambers. Although
3 Clerk of the Senate and the Parliaments
Senate was 105. A Senator must be at least Senators usually consider bills proposed
4 Page
30 years old and must retire on his or her by the House of Commons, they also 5 Senators
75th birthday. suggest new bills (but these bills cannot be 6 Mace
about spending public money or creating 7 Murals (scenes from the First World War, 1914–1918)
PROVINCE/TERRITORY SENATORS taxes). Bills must pass through both 8 Red carpet (red for monarchy)
British Columbia 6 Chambers — the Senate and the House of 9 Usher of the Black Rod
Alberta 6 Commons — and be given Royal Assent
Saskatchewan 6 before becoming law.
Manitoba 6 All debates that take place
Ontario 24 in the Senate are recorded As Senate pages, we get to see the action
Quebec 24 and published in both official up close. We are all university students: only
15 of us are chosen every year.
New Brunswick 10 languages. In addition, Sena-
I handle official documents and give
Nova Scotia 10 tors present petitions, table messages to the Senators when they are in
Prince Edward Island 4 documents, discuss committee session and in committee.
Take a look at the picture on the next page
Newfoundland & Labrador 6 reports and make statements and see if you can find one of us!
Yukon Territory 1 in the Chamber.
Northwest Territories 1
Nunavut 1
DID YOU KNOW? — The Governor General can and
TOTAL 105 does enter the Senate Chamber, but by tradition does
not go into the House of Commons. That is why the
Speech from the Throne and the Royal Assent
ceremony happen in the Senate.

24 SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament

7 7

4
9
2

5
6

Library of Parliament – Marc Fowler

25
 The House of Commons Usually it is the Government that
The House of Commons is the elected law- introduces bills, but Opposition and
making body in Parliament. When MPs individual MPs can also introduce new
meet together in the House of Commons bills (called Private Member’s bills), so long COMMONS CHAMBER
Chamber in Ottawa, we say that the House as the bills do not involve taxes. The House 1 Speaker of the House of Commons
is in session or is sitting. is also where the budget estimates for each 2 Clerk of the House of Commons
How is the seating of MPs in the House ministry or area of government services are 3 Page
of Commons arranged? In the House of debated and passed. 4 Government Members
Commons Chamber, politicians from the 5 Opposition Members (the Official Opposition along with
MPs from other parties and independent MPs)
same party normally sit together. The
6 Prime Minister (the leader of the governing party)
governing party sits to the right of the WORD BUILDER — Some English words can
7 Mace (the symbol of authority of the Speaker of the House
Speaker of the House of Commons. The be used as nouns or as verbs. of Commons. The Mace is placed on the Table and points
Official Opposition sits directly opposite NOUN VERB towards the Government to show that the House is sitting.)

the government. Where the members of bill to bill someone 8 Green carpet (The green colour of Canada’s House of
Commons is the same as that used in the House of
the other opposition parties sit depends on EXAMPLES: The health care bill passed Commons in England for well over 300 years.)
the number of MPs elected from each party. second reading.
The parliamentary restaurant
Chamber Business will bill him for the dinner.
The work of an MP in the Chamber report to report
includes reviewing and debating new bills EXAMPLES: The House committee’s report
that affect all Canadians. It also includes was very detailed.
taking part in question period, making The Senator will report back

Library and Archives

Canada, PA-185700

Sgt. Ray Kolly, 1986

statements about important events and to the committee.

(GGC86-950)
issues from the riding, raising issues and study to study
presenting recommendations and reports. EXAMPLES: The study shows that
The Hon.
The Rt. Hon.
Canadians like their flag. Muriel McQueen
Jeanne Sauvé
Fergusson
The Prime Minister studied
As House of Commons pages, we handle DID YOU KNOW? — The first woman to take the chair
law in university.
official documents and give messages to MPs in either the Senate or the House of Commons, the
while they are in the Chamber or in their committee Honourable Muriel McQueen Fergusson (left), was
meetings. There are 40 of us in total, and Create sentences using these words: Speaker of the Senate from 1972 to 1974.
we are first-year university students. The first and only female Speaker of the House of
change to change
Can you see where we usually sit Commons was the Right Honourable Jeanne
when the House is in session? (see page 27) hold to hold Sauvé (right), who served as Speaker from 1980 to
1984. She then became the first female Governor

26
pass to pass
General of Canada, appointed from 1984 to 1990.
SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament
 1

3
4 5
2

6 7

Library of Parliament – Roy Grogan

27
 SENATE SPEAKER’S CHAIR

1 This chair is for the Speaker.

The Prime Minister The Cabinet 2 This one is for the Monarch or the Governor General.
In Canada, the leader of the political party The Prime Minister chooses members of 3 This one is for the Monarch’s or Governor General’s consort
(husband or wife).
that wins the most seats in the House the Cabinet. These are usually elected MPs
When the Monarch or the Governor General attends the
of Commons becomes Prime Min- (and at least one Senator), and normally Senate, such as for the Speech from the Throne or Royal
ister. (This is in contrast to some belong to the party in power. Those Assent, the Speaker’s chair is removed.
countries, where citizens vote to who head government departments
elect their leader directly, such as are called Ministers. By custom, each WHAT ABOUT ME?
the President in the United States.) province has at least one Cabinet The work of the federal government is done
The Prime Minister is usually an MP Minister. As Canada has grown and through departments (or ministries) and
who, after winning the election, is officially changed, the Cabinet has also grown and agencies. Here are some examples of
sworn in by the Governor General. evolved, with ministries sometimes being federal departments’ areas of responsibility:
renamed, added, dropped or reorganized. the environment, citizenship and immi-
TALK ABOUT IT! The Cabinet takes collective responsibility gration, foreign affairs, defence and natural
Who is the Prime Minister of Canada? for government policies. It must, in public, resources. Which department affects you
What skills should a prime minister have? agree with the government’s decisions or the most? Which ones would you most like
Would you make a good prime minister? resign. to work for?
What other countries have prime ministers?
Presidents? Both? THINK ABOUT IT
WORD BUILDER
A hundred years ago, Canada had a Min-
istry of Railways and Canals and a Ministry MINISTER – from the Latin minister, mean-
WORD BUILDER
of Overseas Military Forces. Why do these ing servant. This word has the same root as
PRIME – from the Latin primus, meaning
departments no longer exist? Some newer minor. Related words include administer
first. Here are some other words and
departments include Environment Canada (administration, administrator) and minor
phrases that contain prime:
and Public Safety Canada. (meaning less or little).
• primary
DID YOU KNOW? — There is a person called the
CABINET – originally, this word meant
• prime-time television whip for each political party in the Senate and the small room. Today, it sometimes means
House of Commons. He or she makes sure that Mem- a cupboard or a piece of furniture where
• prime number bers from the party know what is going on in the
Chamber, and that they are present when there is an objects can be stored. In Parliament,
important vote. In practice, the whips also assign each it means the group of Ministers appointed
party’s members to committees.
by the Governor General at the request of
the Prime Minister.

28
 The Speakers by secret ballot which one
The Senate and the House of Commons of them will be speaker.
each has a Speaker. The Speaker represents All questions during
his or her Chamber when dealing with the debate in the House of
other parts of Parliament (the Monarch or Commons are directed
Governor General, the Senate and the through the Speaker.
3 House of Commons). Each speaker is also Whenever a Senator or
2 1
responsible for making sure that rules of an MP enters, crosses or
order are followed when his or her Chamber leaves the Chamber, he or she
is sitting. bows to the Speaker’s chair.
The Speaker of the Senate is Speakers must be neutral and fair.
appointed by the Governor General For example, the Speaker of the House
on the advice of the Prime Minister, of Commons must be prepared to
usually for the life of the Parliament. enforce the same rules for the Prime
Minister as for a Member of an
opposition party. Although
HOUSE OF COMMONS SPEAKER’S CHAIR
the Speaker of the House of
On page 27, notice where the chair is put in
the room. Why is this? Commons is an elected MP, he
or she does not vote on decisions
unless there is a tie.
The Speaker of the Senate enforces The speakers have important
(makes sure a rule is followed) the Senate diplomatic and social duties out-
rules about the order of speaking and the side Parliament. They are often
length of time a Senator gets to speak, and asked to represent Canada at
announces the result of votes. important international events
Electing a Speaker of the House of and meetings. The speakers
Commons is the first thing the also meet and host foreign
House of Commons does dignitaries and ambassadors.
when beginning a new
Parliament. MPs choose

SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament 29

 Process of Passing a Bill
1 FIRST READING 4 REPORT STAGE
Any idea for a new law or a change to At the Report Stage, the com-
Making laws is tough work.
current law is written down. The idea is mittee reports the bill back to
Every day, something that you do
now called a bill. The bill is printed and the House. All parliamentarians
or that you touch has been
read in the House it is starting from. can then debate it. During this
considered by a lawmaker.
But how does an idea 2 SECOND READING stage, those who were not part of
the committee that studied the bill
get to be a law that The bill is given a Second Reading in
can suggest changes to the bill.
affects everyone? the House it is starting from, where parlia-
The following steps mentarians debate the idea behind the 5 THIRD READING
describe the process of bill. They consider questions such as, The bill is then called for a Third
passing a bill through either “Is the idea behind the bill good?” Reading. The parliamentarians
the House of Commons or the “Does it meet people’s needs?” debate it again. Sometimes they
Senate. (If the bill were to pass “Who will be affected by this bill?” can change their minds about a bill.
through the Senate, it would go If the House votes for the bill and it They might vote for it at Second
through the same stages.) passes this stage, it goes to a committee Reading but not at Third Reading if
The government typically introduces of the House, which usually meets they do not like the changes made
bills. Opposition and individual parlia- in a smaller committee room to the bill. If it passes Third
mentarians also introduce new bills (called outside the Chamber. Reading, the bill then goes to
Private Member’s Bills).
3 COMMITTEE STAGE the other House where it goes
through the same stages.
At the Committee Stage, the bill
DID YOU KNOW? — If a bill originates in the Senate, the
bill is identified with the letter S and given a number; for is studied carefully. Committee 6 ROYAL ASSENT
example, Bill S-4. If a Bill originates in the House of members hold hearings or special Once both the Senate and the
Commons, it is identified with the letter C and given a
number; for example, Bill C-78.
meetings where different people House of Commons have passed the
inside and outside government bill in exactly the same wording, it is
TALK ABOUT IT!
can make comments about the bill. given to the Governor General (or
Take a walk around your neighbourhood. The committee can ask for government his or her appointed representative)
What do you see that needs changing? officials and experts, or witnesses, for Royal Assent (final approval),
How can you change things, or get your to come and answer questions. The and it can become law.
government to change them? Talk to committee can suggest changes or
members of your family and your friends. amendments to the bill when it gives
What issues are important to them? its report to the House.

30
 What happens when a
bill doesn’t pass?
A bill keeps going back and
forth for a vote on the changes
until it passes both Houses
in the same format.

The parliamentary
Debate in Chambe A parliamentary
r committee reports on
Reading of the and vote on the committee examines Debate and vote
the Good Idea Bill. on the changed
title of the bill idea behind the the Good Idea Bill
(The Good Idea Bill) line by line in Amendments are con- version of the
Good Idea Bill sidered and voted on.
committee. Good Idea Bill

A parliamentary Debate and vote

Reading of Debate and vote committee examines The parliamentary on the changed
the Good Idea Bill on the idea of the the Good Idea Bill committee reports on version of the
Good Idea Bill line by line in the Good Idea Bill. Good Idea Bill
committee. Amendments are con-
sidered and voted on.

The Good Idea Bill receives

DID YOU KNOW? — During the ceremony to receive Royal
Royal Assent after being
Assent, bills that have to do with taxes and financial matters passed by both Houses
are tied with a green ribbon; all others are tied with a red one. (the Senate and the
House of Commons).

SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament 31

 WORD BUILDER — Both Senators and MPs On the Job with a Senator Senators take part in caucus meetings. All
work on committees. You probably have When Parliament is in session, Senators these meetings mean serious research and
committees at your school. The root of this spend much of their time in Ottawa. During preparation.
word comes from commit — from the the week, they debate and vote on bills in Senators also like to meet the people
Latin word committere, com- (together) and the Senate Chamber. Much of their work, they represent in their regions. Between
mittere (to put, or send). however, is done outside the Chamber. Chamber debates, committee work,
Senators often sit on at least two different meetings and travel, they try to find time
NOUN VERB
committees, as well as subcommittees. In to make public speeches and attend im-
a commitment to commit
committee, Senators work hard to under- portant national and international events.
a committee
stand all details of a proposed bill: they Senators have many years of experience
Here are some sentences: hear evidence from groups and individuals in the working world. They may have had
who will be affected by the proposed prominent careers in politics, medicine,
• The Senator is busy; she has a
legislation and recommend changes. Mem- the military, law, sports, journalism, edu-
commitment this afternoon.
bers of the committees also review budgets cation or business. Their rich backgrounds
• He sits on the Human Rights and investigate issues that are important to make them experts in their fields. This
committee. Canadians, such as health care, children’s helps them make decisions about bills that
rights and official languages. Committees the government wants to pass, or to advise
• MPs commit many hours to
also report on those issues. In addition, the government on new or better policies.
committee work.

The prefix com- or con-, meaning

together, is a common one in English. Senate — SAMPLE CALENDAR
Write down all of the words you can
think of that start with com or con.
What do they mean? Is there a
connection?

32 SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament

A Day in the Life needs to be examined. MPs also spend time WORD BUILDER

of a Member of Parliament in caucus every Wednesday morning, Constituent, from the same root as con-
In addition to their work in the Chamber, where they discuss strategy and ideas for stitution, means a part of. In politics, a
MPs have many responsibilities. They are laws with the rest of the Senators and MPs constituent is a person a politician represents.
accountable (must answer) to the people from the same political party.
who voted for them. At the same time, they While in their home ridings, they
must follow their party leader. While Par- attend events and meet with people and
liament is in session, MPs typically spend organizations to listen to their concerns.
Monday to Thursday in Ottawa, and Fridays At their offices in their home ridings and
and weekends in their riding, although this in Ottawa, they have a group of people
can change depending on their meeting who help them set up meetings, and prepare
schedules and on Parliament’s business. for debates and committee meetings.
When MPs are in Ottawa and Parliament These researchers and administrators are
is sitting, there is a routine schedule to follow called staff.
called the Daily Order of Business. MPs While Parliament is in session, the
spend a set amount of time in the Chamber, House has a daily schedule. An average
in their offices and in committees. week looks like this:
Like Senators, MPs work on
committees to examine proposed House of Commo ns — DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
bills in detail and to investigate is- HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY
Government Orders
10:00 - 11:00
sues. They also hear witnesses and Statements
by Members
11:00 – 11:15 Private Members’
report back to the House with their Business
Routine Proceedings
Routine Proceedings oral questions
11:15 – 12:00
Government Orders
findings and recommendations. 12:00 – 1:00 Government Orders Routine Proceedings
Government Orders
Some committees are permanent 1:00 – 1:30 Government Orders Review of Delegated
Legislation*
(these are called Standing Commit- 1:30 – 2:00
Private Members’
Statements Statements
tees), and consider very important is- 2:00 – 2:15
Statements Statements
by Members by Members by Members
Business
by Members
sues such as the environment or 2:15 – 2:30 oral questions oral questions oral questions
oral questions
immigration. Other committees are 2:30 – 3:00
Routine Proceedings
formed (or struck) if a temporary issue Notices of Motions
Government Orders
Government Orders for the Production
3:00 – 5:30 Routine Proceedings of Papers
Government Orders Government Orders
Private Members’ Private Members’
Private Members’
5:30 – 6:30 Business Business
Business
Adjournment Adjournment
Adjournment Adjournment
Proceedings

33
6:30 – 7:00 Proceedings Proceedings Proceedings

Legislation pursuant to Standing Order 128(1).

* If required, House to sit at 1:00 p.m. for the review of Delegated
 DID YOU KNOW?
TALK ABOUT IT!
When there is a vote in either the
The liveliest part of the day in the House of Senate or the House of Commons,
Commons is question period (also called ooral ral bells ring and the lights in the
Parliament Buildings blink on and off.
questions), where the Government MPs mu must
ust It is an important job to get all the
answer questions from other Members. Y Youou parliamentarians to the Chamber
can watch some of question period with youryoour when a vote is called. The people
responsible for this task are the
class. (Question period and other House of party whips.
Commons business are shown on television
televisiion
and online, as well as recorded in Hansa
Hansard
ardd,
the word-for-word record of all discussion
discussiion
in the House of Commons.) Ho Howow
do parliamentarians
parliamentariaa ns
behave? Why is tthis his
so? How can yyou ou
tell? What aare re
other MPs doi ing
doing
while questio ons
questions
are asked?

DID YOU KNOW? — If you are touring the Parliament Buildings,

you may be able to visit the Senate and the House of Commons
Chambers. When the Chambers are sitting, you may even ob-
serve from the galleries and watch democracy in action.

34
 THINK ABOUT IT!
Why do you think it is important for
Canadians to have access to a record of
Parliament 24/7
everything that is said in the House?
In 1977, Canadians were the first people in
the world who were able to watch live
televised broadcasts of debates and proceed-
ings in their Parliament.
Today, with modern technology, there
are many more ways to keep up with what
is happening at Parliament, right where you
live. On TV and on the Internet, you can
watch Cable Public Affairs Channel’s
broadcasts of the Senate and House of
Commons committee work, and of question
period in the House of Commons. You can
also listen to podcasts. On the Parliament
of Canada website, there are also webcasts
of proceedings in the Senate and the House
of Commons. If there is a bill or an issue
that really interests you, you can follow
every stage of that legislation on the website.

DID YOU KNOW?

Many Senators and MPs have their own personal
website. Use a search engine and look up your
Senator or MP and see what they are doing!

SECTION 4 The Business of Parliament 35

SECT IO N
Your Capital
5 Citizens elect different people from
their communities to different levels of
government to make laws. These lawmakers,
or politicians, meet regularly to talk about
current laws and to make new ones. They
do this in a place called the capital. Ottawa,
the national capital of Canada, is where
federal politicians meet.

WHAT ABOUT ME?

Sometimes, in newspapers or on television
news programs, people will say things like:
“Ottawa sends soldiers” or “Ottawa makes TALK ABOUT IT!
a decision.” Of course, they do not mean the All Canadian provinces and territories have
city of Ottawa; they mean the Government capitals. Can you name them? (See answers
of Canada. Ottawa is the country’s capital. below.) What is the capital of your province
It is your capital. Look in a newspaper and or territory? Is it the biggest city?
notice how the word Ottawa is used. Is the
article talking about something that affects
you or your family?

DID YOU KNOW? Whitehorse Yukon Territory

The name Ottawa (or adawe in Algonquin) means Regina Saskatchewan
to trade and was the name given to the First Nations Quebec City Quebec

people who controlled trade along the river.

Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
Toronto Ontario
Iqaluit Nunavut
Halifax Nova Scotia
Yellowknife Northwest Territories
There is always something going on at the
Parliament Buildings, even when the Senate and
St. John’s Newfoundland & Labrador
Fredericton New Brunswick
Winnipeg Manitoba the House of Commons are not sitting.
Victoria British Columbia Meetings, committees, official visits and receptions
Edmonton Alberta
occur every day, and the work of researchers is constant.

36
About 3,756 people work here!
CAPITAL PROVINCE/TERRITORY

SECTION 5 Your Capital

 Library of Parliament – Mone Cheng
Why Ottawa? WORD BUILDER — Some words have two On the Hill
Choosing a capital parts, like lawmaker (law + maker). Can The busiest part of downtown Ottawa is
city is not easy! you think of other words that use the word Parliament Hill. This is where Senators and
Should it be in the law or maker? Members of Parliament have their offices,
centre of the country? Should it be the The word capital comes from the Latin meet to make laws, and have meetings
biggest city? Who decides where a capital word caput, which means head. Capital with advisors and citizens. Parliament Hill
should be? has many different meanings: very serious is a gathering place for Canadians who go
In 1857, there were a few cities com- (capital punishment); money (capital in- there for a variety of reasons: to celebrate,
peting to be the capital city. To settle it, vestment); and very important (capital to protest, to go on tours and to enjoy the
Queen Victoria chose Ottawa because it letter, capital city). Here are some other beautiful scenery. The Hill is on high
was centrally located between the cities of words that come from this same root: to ground next to the Ottawa River. If you
Montreal and Toronto, and was along the cap something; a baseball or bottle cap; look across the water, you can see the
border of Ontario and Quebec (the centre captain; caption. province of Quebec. Government offices
of Canada at the time). It was also far from The English word citizen comes from the and national institutions are located on
the American border, making it safer from Latin word civis, which means a person both sides of the river.
attacks. who lives in a city. Other words in this
group include city, civic or civilian. Can The Parliament
you think of other terms that mean the Buildings
same thing as citizen? Parliament has three main buildings: the
East Block, the West Block and the Centre
Block. The Centre Block you see today is
not the first — the first Centre Block of
ORIGINAL CENTRE BLOCK the Parliament Buildings burned down
Before and after the fire of 1916. in 1916. The only part of the Centre
Block to survive was the Library of Par-
liament, which had fire-proof iron doors.
The East and West Blocks were untouched
by the fire.

37
 LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT
• the research centre for 11
parliamentarians and their staff
• over 600,000 items in the collection
• over 350 people work for the
Library of Parliament
• statue of a young Queen Victoria

AERIAL VIEW OF PARLIAMENT HILL

1 Centre Block 7 Victoria Building
2 East Block 8 National Press Building
3 West Block 9 The Rideau Canal and Locks
4 Library of Parliament 10 Centennial Flame
5 National War Memorial 11 Statues
6 Langevin Building

10

38
 9

5 7
6 8

2
10
3

11
11
11
9
11
11
1
11
11
11

11 11

en
Mike Carroccetto, Ottawa Citiz
11

SECTION 5 Your Capital 39

 1

1
8

7
6
6

DID YOU KNOW? — The difference between

gargoyles and grotesques is that gargoyles are 2
usually waterspouts, while grotesques are fanciful and 3
playful carvings. The word gargoyle comes from the
French word gargouille, which means throat or pipe.

40 7
 7

2 Joshua
VICTORIA TOWER BELL Sherurci

• bell from the original Centre Block tower

• cast in 1875, installed in 1877
• fell from the tower in the 1916 fire
• restored in 1998 and on display on
Parliament Hill

THE CENTRE BLOCK

1 Peace Tower — 92.2 metres high!
2 the carillon — 53 bells!
3 grotesques — these mythical creatures are
Librar y of Parliament – Malak fanciful and playful carvings
4 observation deck — visitors can look over
all of Ottawa and Gatineau from here
5 the flag — the new national flag of Canada
with the red maple leaf was first flown in 1965
3 6 Centre Block offices — lots of politicians have
their offices here
7 Memorial Chamber — names of those
who died serving in conflicts that Canada
participated in are honoured in Books of
Remembrance
8 Library of Parliament — opened in 1876

SECTION 5 Your Capital 41

SECT ION

6 Parliament in Motion
Evolving Parliamentary THINK ABOUT IT WORD BUILDER — FLEXIBLE / INFLEXIBLE
Democracy When Canada became a country in 1867, The word flex means to bend. If you are
Because Canada has a constitution, Cana- the laws were different than they are today. flexible, it can mean that you can bend
dians have reliable rules to follow. According to the laws of the time, many in certain ways (touch your hands to the
But sometimes, old laws do not fit groups of people were not allowed to vote floor, for example), or it can mean that
society any more. For example, in — people such as Aboriginal Canadians, you are able to adapt to changes as they
1923 Parliament passed the Chinese women, Chinese Canadians and Japanese occur.
Immigration Act, which closed Canadians. Why do you think this was? Consider these sentences:
Canada’s doors to people of The voting age used to be 21, but in 1970 it • My yoga teacher is very flexible –
Chinese origin. This law was was lowered to 18. Some Canadians talk she can put her foot behind her head!
changed in 1947. The democratic about lowering the voting age again. How
• My yoga teacher is very flexible –
system is flexible and allows would lowering the voting age affect
she does not mind if I come on
Parliament to change old laws Canada and its youth? What if voting
Mondays or Wednesdays.
and create new ones. became mandatory?
National and even inter- Adding an im- or an in- to the beginning
national events and issues WHAT ABOUT ME? of a word sometimes turns the word into
influence Canadians’ values on Think about the issues listed below. How its opposite: flexible into inflexible, for
many levels. As Canadians con- do they affect you or your classmates? example. Consider these words:
sider these issues through open What might parliamentarians do about • polite impolite
discussion and debate, their ideas these issues? • complete incomplete
may change over time. In turn, • environmental concerns • capable incapable
Canadians influence Parliament • child poverty • sincere insincere
to change laws or introduce • international terrorism
Careful! in can also mean incoming or into.
new ones. • illnesses such as AIDS
Here are some more words starting with in
• street crime
or im:
• Internet crime
• interior, income, input, injury, involve,
• promoting Canadian arts (music,
incline, include, investigate, important.
television, films, literature, visual
and theatre arts) Look them up in your dictionary. Are they
• promoting multiculturalism and opposites?
preventing racial and ethnic intolerance

42
 school, library or community centre. WORD BUILDER — WING – from
This is a great way to meet your Old Norse wenge (meaning wing
neighbours and find out what is im- of a bird). In English, the word wing
portant to them. Community organi- means the wing of a bird, but
zations have been successful across also something that extends
Canada in getting their concerns from a central base. Consider
heard by politicians at all levels. these sentences:
It is important to talk to your • The Canadian art collection is
Getting Involved in Democracy
family about getting involved, too. Find out in the east wing of the museum.
The voting age in Canada for a federal elec-
their opinions and discuss what issues are • He belongs to the youth wing
tion is 18. But voting is not the only way for
important to them. Canada’s government of the party.
you to get involved. If you feel strongly
works because of its citizens, and you are
about an issue, there are many ways to ex-
never too young to become part of it. Because the places to either side of
press your views. Become knowledgeable
a theatre’s stage are called the wings,
about the issue by reading, researching and
TALK ABOUT IT! English also uses some phrases like:
interviewing experts. Write to your local
What organizations are you part of? • I have no idea what is on the
newspaper. Form a council. Send letters to
Would you like to be more involved? test; I will just have to wing it.
your Senator and your MP to let them
How? Does your school have a student (Note: This slang comes
know how you feel. They may want to talk
council? How are students elected? What from an actor learning
to you more about it.
role do they play in the school? How his or her lines in the
Helping out in an election campaign is
could student voices be better heard wings – it means to
another good way to get involved, no matter
(both in the school and in your com- do something without
what your age. You can meet the candidate,
munity)? Talk with your classmates being prepared.)
help him or her prepare for public events,
about these questions.
and help organize supporters. Does a
political party interest you? Almost all
parties have a youth wing that organizes Just because you are too young
to vote yet does not mean that
events and distributes information. you cannot get involved.
Your local community might need your There are several ways to make
help — you can volunteer for a community your voice heard and to enact change.

association, or for the board of your local

SECTION 6 Parliament in Motion 43

 Glossary
amend – To change Cabinet Minister – A person — normally ceremony – A formal event that
or improve something; a Member of Parliament or a Senator — follows rules or traditions.
for example, a law or who is chosen by the Prime Minister, and
chair – The person in charge of a meeting.
an Act of Parliament. appointed by the Governor General,
This person directs the discussion of
to help govern. A Minister is usually
amendment – A change that is made to a business in a Senate or a House of
the head of a government department.
bill, a motion or a committee report with Commons committee meeting.
The Government Leader in the Senate
the intention of improving it.
is also a member of the Cabinet. Chamber – One of two large rooms in the
bicameral – Of two chambers, Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms –
or rooms. Canada’s Parliament is The Senate Chamber, or the Upper House,
An important part of the Canadian
made up of two separate Chambers. is where Senators meet to discuss business.
constitution that ensures all people in
They are the Senate and the House The Commons Chamber, also called the
Canada are guaranteed certain basic
of Commons. Lower House, is where Members of Par-
human rights and freedoms.
liament meet. Traditionally, the Senate
bill – A proposal for a law to be
capital – The city where a country’s Chamber has red furniture and carpet,
considered by Parliament.
legislature is located and the government to signify monarchy, while the House of
budget – The government’s plan for how carries out its business. The capital city of Commons’ furniture and carpet are green,
it will collect and spend money each year. Canada is Ottawa. Each province and terri- following the tradition set in Britain.
tory also has a capital city and a legislature.
Cabinet – The Cabinet is a group of Chief Electoral Officer of Canada – This
all Ministers (mostly from the caucus – A group made up of all Senators person is responsible for overseeing all
House of Commons and at least and Members of Parliament from the same federal elections.
one from the Senate). The Cabinet makes political party. Caucuses meet regularly.
citizen – A person who has full political
decisions about the Government’s priorities
Centre Block – The Parliament Buildings and civil rights in his or her country.
and policies, the legislation that will be
have three parts (West Block, Centre
presented to Parliament, and how to Clerk of the House of Commons –
Block and East Block). The House of
collect and spend money. The senior official in the Commons, and
Commons and the Senate Chambers are
the main advisor to the Speaker and
in the Centre Block. It is recognizable by
Members of the House of Commons
the Peace Tower with the clock.
regarding House rules and procedures.

44
Clerk of the Senate – The senior official in constitution – The set of rules that a election – The process of choosing
the Senate, and the main advisor to the country like Canada follows to work as a a representative by vote. In a federal
Speaker of the Senate and to Senators nation. It includes the Constitution Acts of election, voters in each riding elect one
regarding the Senate’s rules and procedures. 1867 and 1982, but is not limited to them. representative to the House of Commons.
The Clerk is also Clerk of the Parliaments The person who gets the most votes
constitutional monarchy – A system in
and is responsible for all legislation passed represents the riding.
which the powers of the Monarch
by Parliament.
are limited by the written or unwritten federal government – The
committee – A group of Senators, constitution of the country. Canada is a government of Canada that acts
Members of Parliament, or both, selected constitutional monarchy. The Queen or and speaks for the whole country.
to study a specific subject or bill and King of Canada is our Head of State,
governing party – The political party
write a report about it. whereas the Prime Minister is our
that forms the Government because
Head of Government.
Confederation – The agreement by more of its members were elected
the provinces to join together to form debate – A discussion in which the to the House of Commons than from any
the nation of Canada and create a federal arguments for and against a subject other party.
Parliament. This happened in 1867 with are presented according to specific
Government – The political party with the
four present-day provinces: Ontario, rules. Discussions in the Senate and the
most members elected to the House of
Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. House of Commons are called debates.
Commons usually forms the Government.
The other six provinces and three
dissolution – The bringing to an end In the federal government, the Prime
territories joined at later dates.
of a Parliament, either at the end of its Minister and the Cabinet decide the
constituency – The specific geographic four-year term or if the government is policies and priorities, make sure they
area in Canada that a Member of defeated on a motion of non-confidence, are put into action, and also guide the
Parliament represents in the House of by proclamation (an official announce- Government’s legislation through the
Commons. (Synonym: riding or electoral ment) of the Governor General on the House of Commons and the Senate.
district) advice of the Prime Minister. It is
Government House Leader – The
followed by a general election.
constituent – A person living in an area Minister responsible for managing the
in Canada represented by a Member of elect – To pick one person from Government’s business in the House,
Parliament. a group of several people by voting. including negotiating the scheduling
The person with the most votes of business with the House Leaders of the
is elected. opposition parties. (Synonym: Leader of

Glossary 45
 the Government in the House liament, Senators and Members Leader of the Government in the Senate –
of Commons) of Parliament use terms such as A Senator appointed by the Prime
“Honourable Senator,” “The Minister to lead the Government
Governor General – A person
Honourable Member for...,” and in the Senate.
appointed by our Monarch, on the
“Honourable colleague” because tradi-
advice of the Prime Minister, to be the Leader of the Official Opposition or Leader
tionally they are not allowed to call one
Monarch’s representative in Canada. The of the Opposition (House of Commons) –
another by name in the Chambers.
Governor General is appointed for a term The leader of the political party that
of five years. The term may be extended. House Leader – An appointed Member usually has the second-largest number
of every party that manages its business in of MPs in the House of Commons.
Hansard – The daily official record
the House of Commons.
of debates in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate –
House of Commons in English and House of Commons – One of three parts The leader of the party in the Senate that
French. Hansard was the surname of a of Parliament. MPs meet and debate in usually has the second-largest number of
British printer who prepared reports the House of Commons Chamber. seats. The Leader of the Opposition in
of parliamentary debates in 19t-century the Senate manages his or her party
independent – A Member of the
England. The Hansard is also called members’ activities in the Senate and
Senate or House of Commons who
Debates of the Senate and House of in its committees.
does not belong to a political party.
Commons Debates.
legislation – Bills that are passed
interest groups – Groups of businesses,
Head of Government – In Canada, the by Parliament.
associations and people with a common
Prime Minister holds the powers of the
interest who ask MPs or Senators to speak legislative process – The steps by which
Head of Government and looks after
for them and promote their interests. bills are approved by Parliament and
the business of the country.
become laws.
law – A rule for all Canadians made
Head of State – Queen Elizabeth II, the
by Senators, Members of Parliament Local government – The council that
Queen of Canada, is our Head of State. She
and the Governor General through manages the business of a municipality
is represented in Canada by the Governor
discussion and voting. (village, town or city) that is led by a
General.
mayor. Council members are elected
Leader of the Government in the House of
Honourable – A special title given to Sen- by the people living in that area.
Commons – See Government House
ators and Cabinet Ministers for life, and
Leader. Lower House – Another name for the
to the Speaker of the House of Commons
House of Commons.
as long as he or she is the Speaker. In Par-

46
 Mace – A large, heavy, silver- and Official Opposition – The political parliamentary democracy – A system of
gold-covered staff that is a symbol party that usually has the second- government where the citizens
of the power and authority of largest number of MPs elected to express their political views by choosing
Parliament. The Senate and the House of the House of Commons. Both the House representatives to go to Parliament to
Commons each have a Mace. When the and Senate have an Official Opposition. make laws on their behalf.
Senate and the House are in session, the
opposition – All political parties and Prime Minister – The leader of the party
Maces rest on the Clerk’s Table in each
independent Members who do not in power and the Head of Government.
Chamber.
belong to the governing party. The Prime Minister is normally an
Member of Parliament (MP) – Technically, elected Member of Parliament and
oral questions – Another name for
members of both the Senate and the House represents a constituency.
question period.
of Commons are Members of Parliament,
private Member – Another name for a
but most often this term is used for page – A university student who
backbencher: a Member of Parliament
someone elected to a seat in the House works for the Senate or the House
who does not have an official role in the
of Commons. Members of the Senate are of Commons. He or she carries
House of Commons.
called Senators. Each member of Parlia- messages and delivers documents and
ment represents one of the ridings into other material to the Chamber during provincial or territorial government – Each of
which Canada is divided. sittings of the Senate or House of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territo-
Commons. ries has a legislature that makes laws for
monarch – A king or queen of a country.
the people living in that province or terri-
Parliament – Canada’s Parliament is com-
motion – A proposal by a Member tory. Each legislature is located in the
posed of the Monarch, the Senate and the
for either the Senate or the House of capital city of the province or territory.
House of Commons. Parliament has the
Commons to do something, to order
power to make laws for Canada in certain question period – A daily period of
something to be done, or to express an
areas of responsibility. A Parliament is also time in the Senate and House of
opinion on a matter. To be considered by
the period of time between an election Commons when parliamentarians
the Chamber, a motion must be seconded
and a dissolution. ask the government questions about its
by another Member and voted on by all
activities or important issues.
members. If adopted, a motion becomes parliamentarian – A Senator or a
an order or a resolution. Member of the House of Commons.

Glossary 47
 reading (of a bill) – A word used Royal Assent – The last stage before a sitting – A meeting of the Senate or of the
for the stages during which a bill is bill becomes a law. The ceremony of House of Commons within a session.
debated in Parliament before it is Royal Assent takes place in the Senate Usually one day long, although a sitting
passed to become a law. Chamber and is performed by the can last for only a matter of minutes or
Governor General or the Governor may extend over several days.
report stage – A step in the passage
General’s deputy with Members of the
of a bill through both the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons – The
House of Commons present. A bill can
House of Commons. The Report Stage is Member of Parliament who is elected at
also receive Royal Assent at Rideau Hall
when the Senate or the House of Commons the beginning of a Parliament by fellow
by written declaration.
considers the report of the committee MPs to keep order in the House of Com-
that has studied a bill, and when changes Senate – The Upper House of mons and to ensure that its rules and tra-
to the text of the bill may be proposed. Parliament is made up of 105 ditions are respected.
Senators.
representative – A person who speaks Speaker of the Senate – The Speaker is ap-
for you. Senator – A person appointed to the pointed by the Governor General on the
Upper House of Parliament by the advice of the Prime Minister. The Speaker
responsible government – The Government,
Governor General on the advice of the keeps order in the Senate and ensures
made up of the Prime Minister and Cabi-
Prime Minister. A Senator represents a that rules and traditions are respected.
net, must have the support of the majority
region of Canada.
in the House of Commons to stay in Speech from the Throne – A speech
power. If the Government loses that sup- Sergeant-at-Arms – The person who delivered by the Monarch or the Governor
port on a question of confidence, it must is responsible for the maintenance and General at the start of a new session of
resign and ask the Governor security of the buildings used by the staff Parliament. The speech is read in the
General to call an election. and Members of the House of Commons, Senate Chamber and describes the
including the Chamber. The Sergeant- Government’s plans for the session.
riding – Another word for
at-Arms also carries the Mace when the
constituency or electoral district. Supreme Court of Canada – The highest
Speaker enters and leaves the Commons
court in Canada. It has nine justices who
Right Honourable – A special title Chamber.
are appointed by the Prime Minister.
given to Governors General, Prime
session – The periods into which a
Ministers and Chief Justices of the table (verb) – To place a document
Parliament is divided. Sessions start with
Supreme Court of Canada. The before the Senate, the House of
a Speech from the Throne and are ended
title can be used for the person’s Commons or a committee for
by prorogation (suspension).
lifetime, even after retirement. consideration.

48
 Upper House – Another name for
the Senate.
Web Links
PARLIAMENT OF CANADA
Usher of the Black Rod – An officer of the [Link]
Senate whose responsibilities include de-
PARLIAMENT OF CANADA EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
livering messages to the Commons when
[Link]/education
its Members’ attendance is required in
the Senate Chamber by the Governor TEACHERS INSTITUTE ON CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
General or a deputy of the Governor [Link]/teachers
General.
SENATE PAGE PROGRAM

vote – To choose a representative in [Link]/senpage

an election. Eligible Canadian HOUSE OF COMMONS PAGE PROGRAM
citizens vote for their representatives [Link]/hocpage
to the House of Commons by secret ballot
PARLIAMENTARY GUIDE PROGRAM
during federal elections. In the Senate and
[Link]/guides
House of Commons, Members can vote
either orally or by standing in their places. ELECTIONS CANADA
[Link]
whip (noun) – The Member of
GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA
Parliament or Senator in a political
[Link]
party who is responsible for keeping
other party Members informed about the CPAC, CABLE PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHANNEL

Chamber’s business and making sure they [Link]

are present in the Chamber, especially
when a vote is expected.

Web Links 49
 Getting to Know Your Youth Narrators
The youth narrators appearing in this book were all real Senate and House of Commons pages and Parliamentary Guides at the time of writing.
Their names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Eric
Julie I always wear
my name tag
Simon Marie Daniel
My favourite thing and bilingual pin,
I sometimes like to wear
Michelle As a House of Commons
Can you see Isabelle Being a page
about giving tours of the page, you have to stand is exciting work:
Parliament Buildings my Filipino Canadian my turquoise earrings? I see important decisions
I came from British whenever the Speaker I can work as
is meeting people from pin too. I wear these to celebrate get made every day.
Columbia to become stands. When I’m not a Senate page
all around the world. my Métis heritage I also see a lot of the
a House of Commons working in the House, for one or two years.
I like to let visitors know while working in Parliament Buildings
page. One of the biggest I like going out to We come from all over
about my home province, the Senate Chamber. while I’m running around!
challenges of my job is youth groups and telling Canada!
New Brunswick. memorizing all the names them about my job.
and ridings of the MPs.

50
The printing and distribution of this edition is made possible
in part by Canadian Heritage (Government of Canada)
and the Churchill Society for the Advancement
of Parliamentary Democracy.

A Teacher’s Guide for this publication as well as

educational resources on this topic are available at:
[Link]/education

Cette publication est disponible en français.

For additional copies or more information contact:

Information Service
Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A9
Telephone:
Toll-free: 1-866-599-4999
National Capital Region: 613-992-4793
Fax: 613-992-1273
TTY: 613-995-2266
Guided Tours: 613-996-0896
Email: info@[Link]
Internet: [Link]

51