Glossary
Backbencher
A backbencher in Canada is a Canadian member of Parliament or member of a provincial legislative assembly who is not a party leader, cabinet minister or opposition critic.
Caucus
A caucus is a group of members of Parliament or of a legislative assembly belonging to the same political party. The term caucus is often used for regional subgroups of the larger caucus. Caucus may also refer to meetings of these groups of legislators.
Chamber
The hall or assembly room in which the House of Commons or the Senate meets to conduct its business.
Constituency, Riding, Electoral district
Any place or territorial area entitled to return a member to represent it in the House of Commons. During debate, members are identified not by their own names but by the name of their electoral district.
Embargo
A restriction on the distribution or publication of a document or the information it contains, until the time stipulated for its release. An embargo is often placed on documents given a limited distribution prior to their tabling in the House and on notices of motion prior to the release of the Notice Paper in which they appear.
Filibuster
An obstructive tactic consisting of the use of either numerous or excessively long speeches to delay the business of the House or of a committee. The use of this latter tactic is now severely limited by the rules of the House relating to the length of speeches.
Front benches
The first few rows of seats in the House which, on the government side, are occupied by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and, on the opposition side, by the leaders of the recognized opposition parties and their principal spokespersons.
Galleries
Balconies in the interior of the House set aside for the public, the press and distinguished visitors who wish to attend a sitting.
Government
The sovereign political authority of a State, in which are vested the executive, legislative and judicial powers. In Canada, this authority is of Her Majesty the Queen.
House Leader
The member of a party responsible for its management in the House. The Government House Leader determines a schedule of House business through consultation with the House Leaders of the other recognized parties.
House of Commons
The elected house, along with which the Senate and Sovereign constitute of the Parliament of Canada. Made up of 308 members, the House alone is constitutionally authorized to introduce legislation concerned with the raising or spending of funds.
Independent Member
A member of Parliament who is not a member of a recognized political party. A member may be elected as an independent or may leave or be expelled from a party during a Parliament and sit as an independent.
Maiden speech
The first speech made in the House by a new member. By tradition, the Speaker recognizes a member rising to make such a speech in preference to others, and the member may read from notes on this occasion.
Member of Parliament
Generally, a person either elected to the House of Commons or appointed to the Senate. But more commonly, a person elected to a seat in the House of Commons as a representative of one of the 308 electoral districts into which Canada is divided. In debate, members are identified not by their own names but by the names of their electoral districts.
Minority government
A government formed by a party, possibly in a coalition with one or more other parties, which does not hold a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. While a minority government does not hold a majority of seats, it usually does hold more than any other party and must maintain the confidence of the House to continue in power.
Official Opposition
The party or coalition of parties holding the second largest number of seats in the House of Commons. It is accorded certain financial and procedural advantages over other parties in opposition.
Out of order
Contrary to the rules of parliamentary procedure. The expression may be applied to motions, bills or to any intervention which runs contrary to the rules of the House.
Page
One of a group of 40 university students selected each year to be employed by the House of Commons to carry messages, and to deliver House documents and other material to Members in the Chamber during sittings of the House.
Political party
A group of people sharing a particular ideology and set of goals that nominates candidates for election to Parliament.
Prime Minister
The leader of the Government who is ordinarily the leader of the party having the greatest number of seats in the House of Commons. Appointed by the Governor General, the Prime Minister selects the other members of the Cabinet and, along with them, is responsible to the House for the administration of public affairs.
Private member's bill
A bill sponsored by a member who is not part of the Cabinet. The term usually refers to public bills.
Prorogation
The ending of a session of Parliament. Prorogation also refers to the period of time a Parliament stands prorogued
Question period
A daily 45-minute period in the House during which oral questions may be addressed to ministers, committee chairs and a member of the Board of Internal Economy. Ministers may be questioned only about the responsibilities of their current portfolio.
Reading of a bill
One of the stages of the passage of a bill. The reading stages (first, second and third) of each bill have their own individual function.
Recognizing visitors
The action taken by the Speaker in formally drawing the attention of the House to the presence of a distinguished visitor in the Speaker's gallery in the Chamber.
Row-by-row vote
Recorded vote in which members rise one row at a time rather than by party, usually starting on the Speaker's right. This method is used in the House for free votes and votes on private members' business. It is also used in Committee of the Whole, but only the yeas and nays are recorded, rather than the votes of individual members.
Speaker
The member elected by the House by secret ballot to preside over its proceedings. In particular, he or she is responsible for maintaining order and decorum. As Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker oversees the administration of the House.
Third party
Generally, a political party represented in the House that is smaller in size than the Official Opposition party.
Vote
The formal expression of opinion for the purpose of reaching a decision. In the House, votes are given either orally or by the members standing in their places.
Whip
A member charged with keeping other members of the same party informed concerning House business and ensuring their attendance in the House or in committee, especially when a vote is anticipated. Each party normally has a Chief Whip and one or more Deputy Whips.
Writ of election
A document issued by the Chief Electoral Officer in order to institute an election in a specific electoral district. Following the election and the validation of the results, the name of the elected candidate is recorded on the writ by the returning officer who signs and returns it to the Chief Electoral Officer. Subsequently, the Chief Electoral Officer will send to the Clerk of the House of Commons a certificate of election for elected candidates.
A backbencher in Canada is a Canadian member of Parliament or member of a provincial legislative assembly who is not a party leader, cabinet minister or opposition critic.
Caucus
A caucus is a group of members of Parliament or of a legislative assembly belonging to the same political party. The term caucus is often used for regional subgroups of the larger caucus. Caucus may also refer to meetings of these groups of legislators.
Chamber
The hall or assembly room in which the House of Commons or the Senate meets to conduct its business.
Constituency, Riding, Electoral district
Any place or territorial area entitled to return a member to represent it in the House of Commons. During debate, members are identified not by their own names but by the name of their electoral district.
Embargo
A restriction on the distribution or publication of a document or the information it contains, until the time stipulated for its release. An embargo is often placed on documents given a limited distribution prior to their tabling in the House and on notices of motion prior to the release of the Notice Paper in which they appear.
Filibuster
An obstructive tactic consisting of the use of either numerous or excessively long speeches to delay the business of the House or of a committee. The use of this latter tactic is now severely limited by the rules of the House relating to the length of speeches.
Front benches
The first few rows of seats in the House which, on the government side, are occupied by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and, on the opposition side, by the leaders of the recognized opposition parties and their principal spokespersons.
Galleries
Balconies in the interior of the House set aside for the public, the press and distinguished visitors who wish to attend a sitting.
Government
The sovereign political authority of a State, in which are vested the executive, legislative and judicial powers. In Canada, this authority is of Her Majesty the Queen.
House Leader
The member of a party responsible for its management in the House. The Government House Leader determines a schedule of House business through consultation with the House Leaders of the other recognized parties.
House of Commons
The elected house, along with which the Senate and Sovereign constitute of the Parliament of Canada. Made up of 308 members, the House alone is constitutionally authorized to introduce legislation concerned with the raising or spending of funds.
Independent Member
A member of Parliament who is not a member of a recognized political party. A member may be elected as an independent or may leave or be expelled from a party during a Parliament and sit as an independent.
Maiden speech
The first speech made in the House by a new member. By tradition, the Speaker recognizes a member rising to make such a speech in preference to others, and the member may read from notes on this occasion.
Member of Parliament
Generally, a person either elected to the House of Commons or appointed to the Senate. But more commonly, a person elected to a seat in the House of Commons as a representative of one of the 308 electoral districts into which Canada is divided. In debate, members are identified not by their own names but by the names of their electoral districts.
Minority government
A government formed by a party, possibly in a coalition with one or more other parties, which does not hold a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. While a minority government does not hold a majority of seats, it usually does hold more than any other party and must maintain the confidence of the House to continue in power.
Official Opposition
The party or coalition of parties holding the second largest number of seats in the House of Commons. It is accorded certain financial and procedural advantages over other parties in opposition.
Out of order
Contrary to the rules of parliamentary procedure. The expression may be applied to motions, bills or to any intervention which runs contrary to the rules of the House.
Page
One of a group of 40 university students selected each year to be employed by the House of Commons to carry messages, and to deliver House documents and other material to Members in the Chamber during sittings of the House.
Political party
A group of people sharing a particular ideology and set of goals that nominates candidates for election to Parliament.
Prime Minister
The leader of the Government who is ordinarily the leader of the party having the greatest number of seats in the House of Commons. Appointed by the Governor General, the Prime Minister selects the other members of the Cabinet and, along with them, is responsible to the House for the administration of public affairs.
Private member's bill
A bill sponsored by a member who is not part of the Cabinet. The term usually refers to public bills.
Prorogation
The ending of a session of Parliament. Prorogation also refers to the period of time a Parliament stands prorogued
Question period
A daily 45-minute period in the House during which oral questions may be addressed to ministers, committee chairs and a member of the Board of Internal Economy. Ministers may be questioned only about the responsibilities of their current portfolio.
Reading of a bill
One of the stages of the passage of a bill. The reading stages (first, second and third) of each bill have their own individual function.
Recognizing visitors
The action taken by the Speaker in formally drawing the attention of the House to the presence of a distinguished visitor in the Speaker's gallery in the Chamber.
Row-by-row vote
Recorded vote in which members rise one row at a time rather than by party, usually starting on the Speaker's right. This method is used in the House for free votes and votes on private members' business. It is also used in Committee of the Whole, but only the yeas and nays are recorded, rather than the votes of individual members.
Speaker
The member elected by the House by secret ballot to preside over its proceedings. In particular, he or she is responsible for maintaining order and decorum. As Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker oversees the administration of the House.
Third party
Generally, a political party represented in the House that is smaller in size than the Official Opposition party.
Vote
The formal expression of opinion for the purpose of reaching a decision. In the House, votes are given either orally or by the members standing in their places.
Whip
A member charged with keeping other members of the same party informed concerning House business and ensuring their attendance in the House or in committee, especially when a vote is anticipated. Each party normally has a Chief Whip and one or more Deputy Whips.
Writ of election
A document issued by the Chief Electoral Officer in order to institute an election in a specific electoral district. Following the election and the validation of the results, the name of the elected candidate is recorded on the writ by the returning officer who signs and returns it to the Chief Electoral Officer. Subsequently, the Chief Electoral Officer will send to the Clerk of the House of Commons a certificate of election for elected candidates.
