Nursing and the Political Agenda

Canada’s Parliamentary System

The Political Process

Governments have three avenues through which they can give life to their priorities and strategies: legislation, policy and programs, including financing. The processes supporting each of these avenues differ, although each includes a consultation process, as well as the definition and assessment of risks and benefits.

Politicians can work through their political parties to have issues or legislation, policies and/or programs brought forward for consideration by parliamentarians. They can also draft and bring forward their own legislative proposals; these are known as private member’s bills.

Parliamentarians collectively can use the committee process to give direction to government for changes to policy and program as well as for legislative actions.

For further information on the work of parliamentarians see http://www.parl.gc.ca/Information/library/inside/work-e.htm.

For a glossary of common terms used in the Canadian political process see http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/FAQ.aspx?Language=E.