POLI 1120 Chapter 6

legislation

formal process by which laws are enacted

speaker

person who moderates, keeps order, enforces the rules of the House of Commons in legislative debate

announce the results of votes

speaker of the house of commons is an elected MP, who is in turn elected by the other MPs to be the speaker

speaker does not participate in debate, but they do still handle matters on behalf of their constituents

the senate also has their own speaker

speech from the throne/throne speech

a speech that opens each session of Parliament, which outlines their agenda

typically focus on their campaign promises

written by the government, but it is read in Senate chamber by the governor general, and is a very grand affair

is not read in the House of Commons because the queen is NOT a commoner, so in the House of Lords in England, but called the Senate in Canada

if the government later temporarily closes, another throne speech is given

usher of the black rod

chief ceremonial officer of the senate, usually a retired military officer

sergeant-at-arms

chief ceremonial officer in the house of commons

bill

proposed new law, and when it is passed by Parliament it becomes an act

act

a statutory law of parliament

readings

stages that bills pass through in parliament

first reading

stage when a bill is introduced to parliament by the minister responsible, and numbered

bills introduced to the house of commons begin with the prefix "C" followed by a number

bills introduced to the senate begin with the prefix "S" followed by a number

no discussion or debate, just put to a vote, and it needs majority support to continue