WELCOME TO PARLIAMENT

Discover Parliament

Inside Parliament .......................................... 2

A Short History of Canada and Its Parliament ......................................... 4

Canada’s System of Governance ................ 6

Making Canada’s Laws ................................. 7

The Senate ..................................................... 8

The Speaker of the Senate .......................... 9

The House of Commons .............................10

The Speaker of the House of Commons ......................................11

The Library of Parliament ...........................12

The Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber ...................................... 13

Find Out More .............................................. 14

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Parliament of Canada. Whether you are visiting in person or learning from afar, you will find that, although our Parliament has its roots in British democracy, it is distinctively Canadian. This is mirrored in the numerous Canadian symbols carved throughout the halls of these buildings.

In many ways, our Parliament is a living reflection of our country’s rich diversity, with Canada and its peoples represented through the hard work of our Senators and Members of Parliament.

We truly hope that you will enjoy learning about Canada’s democracy, and wish you all the very best as you embark on a journey that will allow you to discover the people, traditions and history that make the institution of Parliament unique.

The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C.Speaker of the Senate of Canada

The Honourable Geoff ReganSpeaker of the Canadian House of Commons

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The Library of Parliament is a modern working institution in a spectacular Victorian setting.

The House of Commons, or Green Chamber, is decorated with carvings and stained glass that celebrate Canada’s human and natural history.

The Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber are lasting monuments to Canadians who have lost their lives in military service.

Inside Parliament

The Senate, or Red Chamber, features a gilt ceiling and eight murals that commemorate Canada’s involvement in the First World War.

The Centre Block of Parliament is the home of

Canadian democracy. In this ornately decorated

neo-Gothic building, parliamentarians meet to

make new laws, debate government policy and

examine the issues of the day.

Rotunda

Hall ofHonour

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Indigenous peoples settle the land that is now Canada, at least 20,000 years ago.Paleo-Eskimo Ivory Mask © Canadian Museum of History, QkHn-13:489, S90-4013

1867Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick come together to form a new country called Canada. This is known as Confederation.

1870Manitoba and the Northwest Territories join Confederation.

1871British Columbia joins Confederation.

1873Prince Edward Island joins Confederation.

1898Yukon joins Confederation.

1920Parliament moves back into the newly reconstructed Centre Block.

1949Newfoundland and Labrador is the last province to join Confederation.

1905Alberta and Saskatchewan join Confederation.

1916Centre Block is destroyed by fire, and Parliament temporarily moves to the Victoria Memorial Museum (now known as the Canadian Museum of Nature).

1840Upper and Lower Canada (now

Ontario and Quebec) join to form the Province of Canada.

1858Construction of the

Parliament Buildings begins in Ottawa, the

province’s new capital.

1982Canada patriates its Constitution, ending the last

of its legislative ties to the United

Kingdom.

1999The new

territory of Nunavut is

created.

2002 A long-term project

to preserve and restore the Parliament

Buildings begins. Centre Block will close its doors for a number

of years, moving the Senate and House of

Commons to other buildings.

Circa 1000 Vikings are the first Europeans to reach North America, but they fail to establish a permanent colony.

1497Explorer John Cabot clears the way for permanent European colonization.

A Short History of Canada and Its Parliament

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Canada’s System of Governance

How Parliament Works There are three parts of Parliament:

From Sea to Sea to Sea

The Monarch • Head of State • Represented by the Governor General

The Senate • The Upper Chamber • Appointed• Represents Canada by region

The House of Commons • The Lower Chamber• Elected• Represents Canada by population

Canada is a federal state: a group of ten provinces and three territories that share a common government. Parliament passes laws that affect all Canadians, in areas like foreign policy and taxation. Each province makes its own laws in other domains, such as education and health care.

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105SEATS

338SEATS

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the King or Queen is the Head of State, but the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. Bills are created and passed by Parliament, but the Governor General (the Monarch’s representative in Canada) signs them into law.

Making Canada’s Laws

Royal Dissent: Can the Governor General Refuse to Sign a Bill?

How Does It Work?

Yes, but only in very special circumstances. No Canadian Governor General has ever refused Royal Assent, although it has happened in other countries.

Canada’s legislative process involves all three parts of Parliament. To become a law, a bill must be approved by both Chambers and the Governor General (or a deputy).

A bill (proposed law) is introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons.

If the bill passes, it is sent to a committee, which studies it in depth and may suggest changes.

If the bill passes the vote, it is sent to the other Chamber, where it goes through the same process.

Parliamentarians debate the bill

and vote to decide whether it should be

studied further.

The bill goes back for a final debate and

vote, based on the committee’s report.

Once the bill has been passed by both Chambers, it goes to the

Governor General for Royal Assent and becomes Canadian law.

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The Senate

Who Are Canada’s Senators?Senators are Canadian men and women with a wide range of expertise and experience. From businesspeople and politicians to teachers and community leaders, Senators have a unique perspective on and understanding of the issues before Parliament.

The Work of the SenateCanada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, described the Senate as a place of “sober second thought.” In fact, much of Senators’ work is done in committee, where they study bills in depth, hear from witnesses, and use their expertise to refine legislation. Senators can also introduce new bills, and debating and voting are important parts of their work.

Senators also represent the interests of Canada’s diverse regions and minority groups. The distribution of their seats by region ensures that each part of the country is represented equally.

The Senate is Parliament’s Upper Chamber. Senators are appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to represent the regions, provinces and territories of Canada.

DID YOUKNOW

The Prime Minister of Canada can be a Senator. Sir John Abbott and Sir Mackenzie Bowell both led the Government from the Senate.

The Speaker of the Senate

The Speaker is the Senate’s presiding officer, directing Chamber business and overseeing debates and votes.

The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C. Newfoundland and Labrador

Speaker Furey became the 45th Speaker of the Senate on December 3, 2015, and the first from Newfoundland and Labrador. Before his appointment to the Speakership, Speaker Furey had a distinguished career as an educator and a lawyer.

Speaker Furey was appointed to the Senate in 1999 and he has since been involved in numerous Senate committees, including serving as Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

A Changing RoleThe Speakership was created in 1867, but it has changed greatly since then. At the time, Speakers were heavily involved in party politics; today, the role is much more neutral. The Speaker presides over debates and voting, but seldom participates.

As well, the Speaker is now much freer to intervene in Chamber proceedings, to restore order or to enforce the Rules of the Senate when necessary.

Beyond the Speaker’s ChairThe Speaker has many other responsibilities outside of the Chamber. He or she has ceremonial and administrative duties, receives diplomats and foreign dignitaries, and represents Canada abroad. Like any other Senator, the Speaker also serves the people of his or her home region, province or territory.

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The House of Commons

Speaking for CanadiansEach of the 338 Members of the House (usually called Members of Parliament or MPs) represents a specific geographic area in Canada, known as a riding. MPs serve as representatives of the people who live in their riding.

Most MPs belong to a political party. Usually, the leader of the party with the most seats becomes the Prime Minister, and the second largest party becomes the Official Opposition. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition face each other in the Chamber.

Question PeriodEvery day when the House is sitting, 45 minutes are set aside for opposition MPs to challenge the Government on its actions and policies. This process, known as Question Period, helps to keep the government open and accountable to Canadians.

The House of Commons is the elected law-making body in Parliament. Most bills begin in the House, and its Members spend much of their time debating and voting.

Tuning InYou can watch Question Period, or any other sitting of the House, at parlvu.parl.gc.ca.

The Speaker of the House of Commons

The Speaker is the impartial referee of the House, maintaining order and enforcing the rules of debate.

Becoming SpeakerAfter a federal election, the House’s first order of business is to choose a Speaker. Because the position is politically neutral, any MP can run (other than party leaders and cabinet ministers, who have other responsibilities). The Speaker is elected by secret ballot.

In the House and BeyondAs the presiding officer of the House, the Speaker’s job is to ensure a balance between two important principles: allowing the government to conduct its business and protecting the opposition’s right to be heard.

The Speaker has many duties outside of the Chamber. He or she oversees the administration and finances of the House, welcomes visiting dignitaries to Parliament, and serves the constituents in his or her riding.

The Honourable Geoff Regan Halifax West (Nova Scotia)

On December 3, 2015, Geoff Regan became the 36th Speaker of the House of Commons, and the first from Atlantic Canada in almost 100 years.

Before being elected Speaker, he served as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader. Speaker Regan has represented Halifax West in the House since 1993.

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The Library of Parliament

Though its collection dates back to the 1790s, the Library now supports the work of Parliament with modern and innovative services.

A Victorian Masterpiece Built in the 1870s, the Library is known for its beautiful interior. The wood-panelled walls feature thousands of hand-carved flowers, masks and mythical creatures. A marble statue of the young Queen Victoria stands in the centre of the building, and the dome ceiling fills the Library with natural light.

Beyond the BooksThe Library offers parliamentarians and their staff customized research and analysis, news and information services and products that help teach Canadians about their Parliament.

The Library is also responsible for welcoming visitors to Parliament. Guides host over 350,000 people on tour every year.

A Memorial in Stone Centre Block’s iconic clock tower was built in the 1920s, during the aftermath of the devastating First World War. To commemorate the sacrifices made by Canadians, and to celebrate the end of the conflict, it was named the Peace Tower.

Inside, the Memorial Chamber is dedicated to the memory of Canadians who have lost their lives in military service. It was originally built to honour only the victims of the First World War, but it has since been expanded to include all of Canada’s fallen.

The Peace Tower is also home to the 53 bells of the carillon, a unique musical instrument which is still played every weekday by the Dominion Carillonneur.

The Books of RemembranceThe Memorial Chamber houses seven volumes, elaborately bound and decorated and placed on stone altars. These Books of Remembrance contain the names of Canada’s lost servicemen and women.

Sole Survivor With its wooden decor, the Library is very different from the rest of Centre Block. This is because it is the only surviving part of the original building — the rest of Centre Block was destroyed by fire in 1916. The Library was saved by the tireless efforts of first responders, and by its fireproof iron doors.

The Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber

The Peace Tower is a familiar symbol of Canada’s Parliament, but it is also a monument to the cause of peace.

Memories of the Trenches Much of the material in the Memorial Chamber was sent from Europe, donations from Canada’s wartime allies.

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Find Out More

Visit parl.gc.ca to learn more about the Parliament of Canada:

• Watch the Senate or the House of Commons in action

• Contact a Senator or an MP

• Book a guided tour

• Watch videos, download photos and play games

• And much more

Contact Us:

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parlyouth

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Information ServiceParliament of CanadaOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A9

info@parl.gc.caToll-free (Canada): 1-866-599-4999Telephone: 1-613-992-4793TTY: 1-613-995-2266

Information about Parliament is available in languages other than English and French at parl.gc.ca/publications.