The Legislature

Origin: The term "parliament" is derived from the French word "parler."
Historical Context:
- Initially served as a purely advisory body within British history.
- The establishment of responsible government transitioned into a stronger legislative authority.
Power Dynamics:
- Over time, there was a significant shift of power from Parliament to the cabinet.
- This shift led to the growing dominance of party leaders in Parliament.
Current Functionality:
- The primary purpose of Parliament today is to ensure that the government is accountable to the public.

Parliamentary Numbering: Each parliament is numbered by election, with the current one being the 44th Parliament.
Sessions:
- Generally organized into 4 sessions.
- Each session begins with the Speech from the Throne and concludes with prorogation.
Ending of Parliaments: Parliaments conclude their sessions in prorogation.

Description: The House of Commons is the lower, elected chamber of the Canadian Parliament.
Key Responsibilities:
- Overseeing the functioning of the chamber.
- Passing laws.
- Authorizing government spending and revenue collection.
- Providing representation of constituents.

Speaker:
- Role: Presides over the proceedings and maintains decorum in the legislature.
Clerk and Table Officers: Provide procedural advice to the Speaker.
House Members:
- Government Members: Those who serve in the cabinet.
- Opposition Members: Members who do not belong to the governing party.
- Satellites: Specific roles like Sergeant-at-Arms, responsible for maintenance of order.
- Mace: Symbol of authority in legislative practice.

Standing Orders: This refers to the comprehensive rules that govern the proceedings of the legislature.
Parliamentary Privilege: Members enjoy extraordinary rights and immunities to perform their duties without inappropriate interference.
Contempt: A formal denunciation of inappropriate behavior of members or government in Parliament.

Auditor General: Audits government spending and operations, reporting findings to Parliament.
Parliamentary Budget Officer: Provides independent analysis on budgets and financial proposals.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Officer: Addresses conflicts between personal interests and public duties among Members of Parliament (MPs).

Composition: There are 343 MPs elected to represent various ridings or constituencies.
Types of Members:
- Government Members: Those in cabinet roles.
- Private Members: Those not in the cabinet.
Political Affiliations:
- Government MPs: Support and form the government.
- Opposition MPs: Those who do not support the governing party.

Standing Committee: A permanent legislative committee defined by its existence within parliamentary rules.
Ad Hoc Committee: A temporary committee with a specific mandate for current issues.
Committee of the Whole: Refers to the entire legislative assembly acting as a committee, excluding the Speaker.

Bill: A piece of proposed legislation submitted to the legislature.
- Types of Bills:
- Private Bills: Affect a particular group or region rather than the public.
- Public Bills: Address issues pertaining to society as a whole.
Motions/Resolutions: Proposals for parliamentary action or expression of opinion.
Government Bills: These are introduced by government ministers.
Private Members' Bill: Introduced by backbenchers in Parliament.
Opposition Days: Time designated for opposition parties to present their own motions and legislation (typically 20 days per session).
Question Period: A designated time for MPs to ask questions of the government.

Budget: A document detailing projected revenues, expenditures, and economic forecasts of the government.
Estimates: Breaks down how each governmental department will handle funding and spending.

Speeches: Generally restricted to 20 minutes per member, with each only allowed to speak once on any matter.
Closure: A mechanism that permits the government to end debates on a matter.
Omnibus Bills: Covering a wide range of issues within a single piece of legislation (e.g., budget implementation bill).
Filibustering: A tactic used by some opposition members to prolong debate; durations can vary significantly: 1 hr, 15 min to 24 hrs.

Overview: The upper house of the Canadian Parliament, comprising appointed members.
Methods of Appointments: Senators are not elected but are appointed; since 2015, Canadians can apply online for positions which are subsequently reviewed.
Issues of Composition: Senate representation can be uneven across provinces (e.g., some provinces having 24 senators, others only 6).
Operational Questions: Generally involves discussions about the powers and selection processes of senators.

Majority Government: Constructs when more than half of the members belong to the same party.
Hung Parliament: Situations where no political party holds a majority.
Minority Government: Governing party holds less than half the legislative seats but can command the confidence of the house.
Coalition Government: A cabinet formed from members of multiple parties, which is rare in Canada.

Party Discipline: Reflects the inherent evolution of party politics.
- Influences voting practices, inquiry questions, and committee participation.
- Various sanctions and methods of enforcement exist to maintain party unity.

Characterization:
- Often dubbed as "trained seals" in a stereotypical role under party discipline.
- Present limited opportunities for individual participation.
Opportunities beyond the chamber: Participation in caucus meetings, committee assignments, and promoting Private Members' Bills (PMBs).
Primary Roles: Constitute representation, advocacy, and engagement with constituents.

Free Vote: A vote on legislation where party members can choose how to vote without repercussions, barring leadership members.
Floor Crossing: When a legislator shifts party allegiance, resulting in changes to party representation.

Consensus Government: Operates without a majority party setup, often observed in regions like the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Relies heavily on Indigenous governance principles and community engagement in selecting leaders.