Nursing and the Political Agenda
Canada’s Parliamentary System
Canada’s Parliament consists of three parts: the Queen (head of state), represented by the Governor General; the appointed Senate; and the elected House of Commons.
The Governor General calls Parliament together after every general election, reads the speech from the throne outlining the government’s objectives, and approves all bills passed by the Senate and the House of Commons.
The Senate, also known as the upper or red chamber, has 105 members. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister to represent regions, provinces or territories. Senators can serve until the age of 75.
The House of Commons has 308 members, who are elected to represent the people in their ridings. Our Constitution states that a Parliament cannot last longer than five years, after which a general election must be held. Members sit in the House of Commons chamber, which is decorated in green following the tradition of the British House of Commons.
For a straightforward explanation of how Canada’s parliamentary democracy works, please visit http://www.parl.gc.ca/Publications/Democracy-e.asp.
