Senate Page Program General Set

What are the origins of the Speakership of the Senate from the Constitution Act of 1867?

1. Constitution Act, 1887 Under the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly known as the British North America Act, 1867) the federal legislative power rests with the Parliament of Canada, which consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. In the negotiations leading up to Confederation in 1867, more time was spent discussing the powers and role of the Senate than almost any other aspect of the proposed union. In the end, the Constitution establish the Senate as an amalgam of the British House of Commons and the House of Lords. It was to be a regionally based chamber of sober second thought, performing a revising role, and acting as a counterweight to the House of Commons. Senators were to be appointed for life. *But lifetime appointments were abolished in 1965 when an amendment was made to the Constitution requiring mandatory retirement at age 75 for all senators appointed after June 1 of that year. Section 18 of the Constitution Act, 1867 authorized the Senate and the House of Commons to claim, by statute, the same privileges, immunities and powers possessed by the British House of Commons. The Constitution Act, 1867 also specifies that there shall be a Speaker of the Senate who is appointed, but the act does not set out any specific powers or responsibilities of the office, not even that of presiding over the Senate

What are the offices that compose legislative sector of the Senate Administration?

1. Office of the Usher of the Black Rod 2. Chamber Operations and Procedure Office 3. Committees Directorate 4. Communications Directorate 5. Corporate Security Directorate 6. Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol Division of the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate

How is a Speaker appointed to Senate?

2. Appointment of the Speaker The Speaker of the Senate is appointed by the Governor General, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Senate is not formally involved in the process; however, the Prime Minister may consult with senators informally to seek their opinion on the matter. Several attempts to change the appointment process have been proposed over the years, with motions being moved in the Senate as early as 1868. The office of Speaker of the Senate is characterized by a relatively frequent turnover. Leaving aside those Speakers in the early years who were appointed to fill a temporary vacancy, the tenure of Speakers has usually been of short duration. In the first 50 years following Confederation, all Speakers served for one Parliament at most. After 1922, most terms have lasted up to two Parliaments. Various conventions have been claimed over the years with respect to a rotation of Speakers in the Senate, but few of them have been followed rigorously and the existence of some is disputed. For example, there was a suggestion in the 19th century that the Speakership had been intended to rotate among the senatorial divisions of the country; however, a quick examinations of the Speakers and the regions they represent makes it clear that this approach has never been followed. In many instances, an anglophone Speaker of the Senate has been succeeded by a francophone, and vice versa. However, this too is not a hard and fast rule. For example, when a Speaker has had to be replaced during a Parliament, the successor has almost always been selected from the same linguistic background. This occurred in 1888 when Speaker Allan succeeded Speaker Plumb; in 1930 when Speaker Hardy followed Speaker Bostock; and again in 1943 with Speaker Vien replacing Speaker Parent. Since 1980, the pattern of alternating linguistic groups has not been maintained, with five consecutive francophone Speakers (Marchand, Riel, Charbonneau, LeBlanc and Molgat) being followed by two anglophone Speakers (Hays and Kinsella). Most Speakers have had considerable experience in the Senate, and have had the opportunity to become familiar with its procedures and traditions before being appointed to preside over the chamber. Indeed, many Speakers have been appointed near the end of their parliamentary careers. One was a member of the Senate for 32 years before being named Speaker. Most appointees have had more than five years' experience in the Senate, and nearly half have had more than 10 years. Traditionally, when a Speaker leaves office he or she is made Privy Councillor, if not already a member.

How does Partisanship work pertaining the Speakership of the Senate?

3. Partisanship In keeping with the Speakership's roots in the British system of government, the Speaker of the Canadian Senate was originally expected to be partisan, not impartial. The Speakership of the Senate was a political office, to be filled by the government. Some notable examples include two Speakers who were Cabinet ministers without portfolio while in the chair, and some others who moved directly to the Speakership from the Cabinet or a provincial premiership. The Constitution Act, 1867 and the Rules of the Senate both assume that the Speaker will take an active part of political life. The Rules permit the Speaker to participate in debate, provided hat he or she speaks from the floor, not the chair. Moreover, the Speaker retains the right to vote on all matters before the Senate. This is a deliberative or original vote, and not a casting vote. In other words, the Speaker is not entitled to vote in order to break a tie in the Senate. In early years of Confederation, Speakers routinely voted. More recently however, the have tended to refrain from engaging in debate, usually restricting themselves to administrative or non-contentious matters. Similarly, Speakers have increasingly hesitated to vote, unless the outcome is expected to be particularly close or the matter is an important one for the government.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Speaker?

4. Roles and Responsibilities of the Speaker PRESIDING OFFICER The office of the Speaker of the Senate was patterned on the United Kingdom office of the Lord Chancellor, who was, until 2006, the presiding officer of the House of Lords but also a member of the Cabinet and a judicial officer. Unlike the House of Commons, where the Speaker was intended to "speak" on behalf of the members, the House of Lords was reluctant to surrender any more of its powers to the Lord Chancellor than was absolutely necessary. Thus, he or she traditionally performed a fairly minimal role in presiding over the sittings of the House of Lords. Similarly, the early Speakers of the Canadian Senate were perceived as having a limited role in guiding the proceedings of the chamber. As Robert A. Mackay wrote in 1926: "The Speaker of the senate is in reality but a chairman or presiding senator, not the spokesman of the house in dealing with the Crown as the Speaker of the Commons is historically, nor yet a president who sits above the party struggle." Furthermore, the Speaker of the Senate has never been a judicial officer nor played any judicial role in the way that the Lord Chancellor used to. Since all senators were regarded as equal, the Senate initially sought to conduct its business by consensus, and the Speaker of the Senate was not originally given any specific powers or responsibilities to maintain order or to enforce the Rules of the Senate. He was authorized to explain the Rules and practices of the Senate only when called upon to do so. In this respect, during the 19th century, the Senate was largely self-regulating, and the need for the Speaker to intervene was infrequent. Until 1906, the Senate consciously referred to the House of Lords tradition whereby the Lord Chancellor intervened in debate to rule on a procedural question only at the request of a member. However, during the 1890s and the early part of the 20th century, the occasional rowdiness of a few senators led to a movement to break with the House of Lords tradition and give the Senate Speaker more authority. ***The 1906 revision of the Senate Rules gave the Speaker increased powers and explicitly authorized the Speaker to preserve order and decorum, and to decide questions questions of order. The adoption of the new Rules did not have an immediate or profound effect, as there seems to have been some uncertainty about the extent of the powers conferred and the circumstances under which they could or should be used, and some hesitancy on the part of the Speakers to resort to them. From the 1930s on, both Speakers and senators on occasion alluded to the existence of an "unwritten" rule that speakers did not intervene until requested to do so by a Senator. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, however, some Speakers became more active in their interventions and did not always wait for their attention to be drawn to breaches of the Rules before intervening. Uncertainty about the role of the Speakers persisted until the adoption of revised Rules in 1991. Proposed and adopted in the aftermath of a turbulent debate over the Goods and Services Tax, the 1991 amendments to the Rules of the Senate were the most extensive since 1906. The new Rule 18 clarified the role of the Speaker in the Senate. It specifies that it is not necessary for breaches of order and decorum to be drawn to the attention of the Speaker, and that he or she may interrupt any debate to restore order or to enforce the Rules. In the case of "grave disorder" the Speaker is explicitly empowered to suspend the sitting of the Senate for up to three hours. The Rule also allows the Speaker to determine when sufficient argument has been heard to decide a question of privilege or point of order. Even as the role of the Speaker changed, certain features remained constant. In keeping with the egalitarian nature of the Senate, all rulings of the Speaker are subject to an appeal to the full Senate for confirmation or rejection. The Senate reserves for itself the final authority over the interpretation of its Rules and practices. The equality of all senators is further illustrated by the practice of senators addressing each other directly, rather than through the Speaker. The Speaker plays an important role in facilitating the conduct of business in the Senate chamber. He or she calls out items during the daily Routine of Business and items on the Notice Paper, as well as "recognizing" senators who wish to speak. The Speaker reminds senators about time limits for different categories of activity, including Senators' Statements and Question Period, and presides over any vote taken in the Senate. The Speaker reads messages from the Governor General and the House of Commons, and introduces visitors in the galleries. The Speaker is responsible for ruling on all questions that are raised with respect to parliamentary procedure in the chamber or with respect to the privileges, rights and immunities of the Senate or of individual senators as they carry out their duties. He or she also rules on applications for emergency debates. While the Speaker's authority and powers in presiding over sittings of the Senate have been enhanced, this development has generally not been matched by any similar increase in administrative responsibilities. Given the partisan antecedents of the office, and how it was originally envisioned and characterized, it is perhaps understandable that the Speaker's administrative role was limited and has remained so. Over time, the Speaker of the Senate has come to more closely resemble the Speaker of the House of Commons - for instance, in assuming a more proactive role in preserving order in the chamber, and abstaining from debate and voting. This is, in part, a reflection of the changes to the Rules of the Senate adopted by the Senate - especially those of 1906 and 1991 - and of the behaviour of various incumbents of the office.

What is the Ambassador aspect of the Speaker of the Senate role?

5. Ambassador In addition to presiding over the Senate's deliberations, modern Speakers have a significant role in representing the Senate and senators on formal occasions of state both nationally and internationally. the Speaker ranks fourth in the Table of Precedence for Canada, after the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In keeping with this status, the Speaker often receives diplomats and other parliamentary officials. As well, the Speaker is frequently asked to represent the Senate, and sometimes the government at national events and at foreign legislatures. The Speaker also spends a great deal of time meeting and addressing groups to provide insight into the parliamentary process and the important role of the Senate.

Describe the Tradition and Innovation related the Speaker of the Senate role

6. Tradition and Innovation The absence of explicit constitutional and statutory provisions governing the Speakership of the Senate has allowed the office to evolve. As Professor W. F. Dawson wrote in 1969, traditions have grown up that set the Senate Speaker apart from other presiding officers in the parliamentary system: "Such issues as appointment and removal as as political partisanship and the position of the Speaker in the House have all acquired a distinctively Canadian flavour, and have combined to change the nature of the Speakership into something that was clearly not contemplated in 1867." With conscious of its history, the Senate has also been innovative. It was the first chamber on Parliament Hill to have female Speaker with the appointment of Muriel Fergusson in 1972; she was succeeded in 1974 by Renaude Lapointe, the first female francophone Speaker. This collection of short biographies of the Speakers of the Senate since Confederation illustrates the wide variety of regional, professional and personal qualifications of the incumbents. For most of these distinguished individuals, their period as the chair - however long or brief - was just one of many highlights in lives that were marked by achievement in various areas. Although success in law and politics is a common denominator that links many of the, others have had noteworthy careers in the military, in business, as educators or as journalists; some achieved prominence in as many as three or four different fields. Indeed, appointment to the Senate and later to the Speakership of the Senate can be seen as the apex of many successful careers. Unlike other legislative bodies where the Speakers have often played a prominent role in the conduct of proceedings, the Speakers of the Senate have historically exercised their authority under greater restraint. The Senate, as an appointed body that is smaller than the Commons and usually less partisan, has traditionally prided itself on being largely self-governing. Many of its routine proceedings are still managed informally by consensus. Nevertheless, the Speaker of the Senate performs an important role, and this overview of the men and women who have occupied the office provides a useful perspective on the history of the Senate since 1867.

What is the Government Representative Office in the Senate?

Government representation consists of three Senators who are responsible for both shepherding the Government's legislation through the Senate in a timely manner and championing renewal in the changing institution. Although the three Senators represent the Government to the Senate, they do not sit in a partisan caucus and do not lead a caucus. Because of this, the Government representative team has no power to direct the votes of Senate members. The team promotes a vision for the Senate that is less partisan, and more independent, accountable and transparent, along with a strong focus on the role of the Senate as a complementary body of the House of Commons. Formed in the Spring of 2016, the GRO is a departure from the previous Senate practice in which the Government Leader in the Senate was part of the same caucus as the Government. While the old model was characterized by top-down partisan control manifested through whipped party votes, the new model relies on Senators' exercise of judgement within the framework of the institution's complementary role. WHAT ARE THE THREE ROLES? The Government Representative in the Senate (formerly Government Leader) is the first point of contact between the Government and the Senate. This Senator represents the Government to the Senate and the Senate to the Government. The Government Representative is a member of the Privy Council and attends cabinet meetings as appropriate to discuss the legislative agenda and Senate renewal. The Prime Minister appoints the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Marc Gold of Quebec took over the position in January 2020. The Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative (formerly Deputy Leader) plays a major role in working with other Senate leaderships to structure debate in the Senate chamber on a daily basis, including managing and moving Government procedural motions (e.g. to adjourn the Senate until a specified time). Senator Raymonde Gagné of Manitoba took over the position in January 2020. The Government Liaison (formerly Whip) is responsible for outreach on Government business in the Senate and works to ensure that senators have all the information they require in anticipation of votes. The Government Liaison also has certain procedural powers in relation to the timing of votes. Previously, the Whip would have worked to ensure his or her caucus' attendance and enforce party discipline in voting. Senator Patti LaBoucane-Benson of Alberta took over the position in January 2020. WHAT ARE THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN THE SENATE? The three Senators on the Government Representative team promote modernization through discussion papers, policy proposals, media interviews and debate in the Red Chamber. While the Office plays a key role in pushing forward modernization, Senate modernization was a priority before the office was created, and Senators from all groups have played important roles in the process. The Special Committee on Senate Modernization was first proposed in May 2014 to make the institution more effective, transparent and responsible. Since then, the committee and individual Senators have come forward with ideas, including proposals to make changes to Senate rules, procedures and practices. The Senate as a whole has the final say on whether or not to accept those proposed changes. The Senate appointment process has also changed. In December 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Government announced the creation of a new independent advisory board to make merit-based recommendations to the Prime Minister for Senate appointments. Since then, new Senators have been appointed as independents. The power to appoint Senators remains with the Governor General, whose power is exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Describe what Senate Committees are and their functions

ABOUT COMMITTEES Senate committees perform some of the most important work in Parliament. In committees, groups of senators scrutinize proposed legislation, examine government spending plans and investigate matters of importance to Canadians. Senators do this work through regular meetings where they hear directly from Canadians, who appear before the committee as witnesses to share their expertise and experiences. Meetings generally take place in Ottawa, but senators regularly travel to other parts of Canada on fact-finding missions. Committee members seek out all relavent evidence on the bills and issues before them. Their findings and recommendations are then reported back to the Senate and made public. It's work that gets to the heart of democracy; committees give Canadians a strong voice in Parliament to improve legislation and shape public policy. 1. Who Sits on Committees? Committees are made up of groups of about a dozen senators selected by the Committee of Selection. Any senator can sit on any committee, and membership generally continues for the duration of a session. 2. What do Committees Study? A Committee can study a bill, government spending or an issue related to its mandate, as determined by the Senate. A committee's name shows its broad mandate (e.g. Human Rights, National Finance, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, or Agriculture and Forestry). Specific studies undertaken by most committees must be voted on by the Senate, which grants the committee an order of reference to conduct its study. 3. Are there Different Types of Committees? There are several types of committee. The most common are standing committees, which are permanent, issues-based groups written into the Rules of the Senate. Subcommittees may be formed under these committees to study a specific topic (e.g. the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, which falls under the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence). Special committees are formed for a particular purpose and disband after issuing their final reports (e.g. the Special Committee on the Charitable Sector, which existed during the 42nd Parliament). Joint committees include senators and members of Parliament (e.g. the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament). 4. What are committee reports and when are they produced? Committee reports can change bills and influence public policy. After completing a hearing on a bill, study or administrative matter, the committee drafts and adopts a report with its findings. Reports often contain evidence-based recommendations or observations as well. The completed report is then presented or tabled in the Chamber for the rest of the Senate to consider. Reports are also posted online, A committee may report a bill with or without amendments. Any amendments proposed by the committee report would be considered by the Senate. If no amendments are proposed, the report is deemed adopted and the bill proceeds to third reading. Reports on special studies present findings and recommendations back to the Senate. Any recommendations adopted by the Senate become positions of the Senate. These are not binding on the government, but - given the wide range of evidence senators consider during their studies - they can be very influential. 5. How can I attend a committee meeting? If you are in Ottawa, you can watch committee meetings in person.* A meeting notice for each committee is posted on the Senate's website and shows when and where the meeting is taking place. If you're planning on visiting, you will be screened. You can also tune in remotely through Senate ParlVU, which offers live and on-demand streams of all Senate proceedings. Witnesses are invited directly by committees to participate in a study. If you are interested in appearing before a committee or making a written submission on a specific study, you may make a request by contacting the clerk. *Public access to on-site meetings is subject to restrictions due to the ongoing public health situation. Audio or audiovisual recordings of public committee can always be accessed online.

Give a brief description of the Senate of Canada

ABOUT THE SENATE The Senate is the Upper House in Canada's bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Parliament's 105 senators shape Canada's future. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens - a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit. Created to counterbalance representation by population in the House of Commons, the Senate has evolved from defending regional interests to giving voice to underrepresented groups like Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and women.

Describe the Administration and Support for the Senate of Canada

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT The Senate relies on administrative and procedural support to function efficiently and serve Canadians. The Senate Administration provides the services that allow senators to accomplish their work, for example, support in procedure, security, financial administration, human resources, communications and building maintenance. Three senior offices of the administration lead the Senate's commitment to the modern, effective management of its internal affairs: the Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, and the Chief Corporate Services Officer. Another kew position is the Usher of the Black Rod, a senior parliamentary officer who serves as personal attendant and messenger to the Queen in Parliament and as a senior protocol official. Senators are also supported by staff in their respective offices.

Who is Canada's Parliamentary Poet Laureate? How were they appointed?

APPOINTMENT OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENTARY POET LAUREATE The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George J. Furey, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Anthony Rota, announced today the appointment of Louise Bernice Halfe-Sky Dancer as Canada's next Parliamentary Poet Laureate, effective January 1, 2021. Ms. Halfe is the ninth poet to hold this office, succeeding Georgette LeBlanc. Louise Bernice Halfe-Sky Dancer was selected by the Speakers from a short list of candidates submitted by the Selection Committee, chaired by Dr. Heather Lank, Parliamentary Librarian and composed of Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages; Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada; and Jesse Wente, Chair, Canada Council for the Arts (represented by Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Chief of Staff and Corporate Secretary). The Parliamentary Poet Laureate Program Federal legislators created the position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate in 2001 to build awareness of the reading and writing of poetry. Pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, the Parliamentary Poet Laureate performs a range of duties, including: composing poetry, particularly for use in Parliament on important occasions; sponsoring poetry readings; advising the Parliamentary Librarian on the Library's collection; and performing related duties at the request of the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Commons or the Parliamentary Librarian.

What is THE CONFIDENCE CONVENTION?

THE CONFIDENCE CONVENTION An essential feature of parliamentary government is that the Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsible to, or must answer to, the House of Commons as a body for their actions and must enjoy the support and the confidence of a majority of the Members of that Chamber to remain in office. This is commonly referred to as the confidence convention. This complex constitutional subject, a matter of tradition that is not written into an stature or Standing Order of the House, is thoroughly reviewed in other authorities more properly concerned with the subject. Simply stated, the convention provides that if the government is defeated in the House on a confidence question, then the government is expected to resign or seek the dissolution of Parliament in order for a general election to be held. This relationship between the executive and the House of Commons can ultimately decide the duration of each Parliament and of each Ministry. The confidence convention applies whether a government is formed by the party or the coalition of parties holding the majority of the seats in the House of Commons, or by one or more parties holding a minority of seats. Naturally, it is more likely that the government will fail to retain the confidence of the House when the government party or parties are in a minority situation. What constitutes a question of confidence in the government varies with circumstances. Confidence is not a matter of parliamentary procedure, nor is it something on which the Speaker can be asked to rule. It is generally acknowledged, however, that confidence motions may be: - explicitly worded motions which state, in express terms, that the House has, or has not, confidence in the government - motions expressly declared by the government to be questions of confidence - implicit motions of confidence, that is, motions traditionally deemed to be questions of confidence, such as motions for granting of Supply (although not necessarily an individual item of Supply), motions concerning the budgetary policy of the government and motions respecting the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne CONFIDENCE AND THE STANDING ORDERS When the Standing Orders respecting Supply were amended in 1968, it was specified that, in each of the three Supply periods, the opposition could designate not more than two of the motions proposed on allotted days as motions of non-confidence in the government. This was the first time the notion of confidence found expression in the Standing Orders. This rule was modified provisionally in March 1975 to remove the non-confidence qualification the motions would still be brought to a vote but the vote would not automatically be considered an expression of confidence in the government. The provisional Standing Orders lapsed at the beginning of the following session and the term "no-confidence" found its way back into the 1977 version of the Standing Orders. No further changes were made until June 1985, when the Standing Orders were again modifies to remove the no-confidence provision with regard to Supply. Meanwhile, in 1984, a recommendation was made that a change be made in the manner of electing a Speaker. This proposal found favour and a variant of it was adopted by the House in 1985. One of these new rules still provides that the election of a Speaker shall not be considered to be a question of confidence in the government.

How does a bill become a law?

For a federal bill to become law in Canada, the bill must pass the House of Commons and the Senate in identical form, and then receive Royal Assent from the Governor General. In both chambers, a bill receives first reading (tabling of the legislation), second reading (debate on its principle), a committee stage (where witnesses present evidence), report stage (where the committee's report may be debated) and third reading (the final stage of debate, followed by a final vote).

What does the Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, and Chief Legislative Services Officer do?

Gérald Lafrenière, the Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of Parliaments, and Chief Legislative Services Officer was appointed by Order in Council on December 31, 2020 as the 16th Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments on an interim basis and will serve during pleasure until a new appointment to the position is made. He also serves as Chief of Legislative Services Officer, which oversees the legislative sector of the Senate Administration, composed of the Office of the Usher of the Black Rod, the Chamber Operations and Procedure Office, Committees Directorate, Communications Directorate, Corporate Security Directorate, and the Parliamentary Exchanges and Protocol division of the International and Interparliamentary Affairs Directorate. The position of the Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments is a Governor in Council appointment made pursuant to paragraph 130(b) of the Public Service Employment Act and reports to the Speaker of the Senate. The position supports all aspects of the legislative process and oversees the legislative services provided by the Senate. The role of the Clerk of the Parliaments is custodian of all original Acts and is responsible for certifying true copies of these Acts. The Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments and Chief Legislative Services Officer is one of three senior executive positions responsible for the overall management of the Senate Administration and shares this responsibility with the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel as well as the Chief Corporate Services Officer. Together, they are accountable to the Senate through the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. Mr. Lafrenière brings a wealth of experience to this position. His distinguished career on Parliament Hill began in 1994 as a legal analyst at the Library of Parliament. Since joining the Senate in 2004 as a Procedural Clerk, he has worked within various directorates in the institution, assuming roles at the Committees Directorate (Deputy Principal Clerk), International and Interparliamentary Affairs (Principal Clerk), and Governance and Strategic Planning (Director). He has also been a Table Officer since 2008. Mr. Lafrenière has provided procedural advice to the Speaker of the Senate, the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, standing committees, as well as individual Senators. Mr. Lafrenière has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 1994. He holds a Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B.) from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor's degree in Arts from the Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface. He is also a member of the Association of Clerks-at-the-Table. Reports to: Speaker of the Senate Staff: Jessica J. Richardson (Chief of Staff

Who is Canada's 29th Governor General? What are their duties?

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette was installed as Canada's 29th Governor General on Monday in a poignant ceremony in Parliament Hill''s Senate Chamber. The former astronaut, engineer and administrator succeeds the Right Honour David Johnston as representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. Ms. Payette takes over a range of constitutional and ceremonial duties on the Queen's behalf. They include hosting foreign royalty and heads of state; summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament; reading the Speech from the Throne and granting Royal Assent to bills passed in the Senate and House of Commons. Hundreds of guests, including Senate Speaker George J. Furey, his House of Commons counterpart Geoff Regan, as well as dignitaries, parliamentarians and former Governors General rose as Ms. Payette was led into the Chamber by the Usher of the Black Rod, J. Greg Peters to the strains of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," one of several pieces of music selected for the ceremony by Ms. Payette. The ceremony evoked the covenant between Parliament and Crown. The Throne of Canada, the Tudor imagery framing its dais and the crimson decor of the chamber all served as reminders that the Senate Chamber is where the Sovereign or her representative, the Governor General, addresses the assembled members of both houses of Parliament. Ms. Payette's 14-year-old son, Laurier Payette Flynn, sat close by while his mother took the oaths of office, administered by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin. Moments later, cannons thundered a 21-gun salute as the newly installed Governor General took the throne. Speaking without notes, the Governor General delivered a powerful inaugural speech that made special mention of Canada's Indigenous leaders and addressed challenges such as climate change and poverty while affirming the power of concerted action to effect change. "Anyone can accomplish anything and rise to the challenge as long as they are willing to work with others, to let go of the personal agenda, to reach a higher goals and to do what is right for the common good," the Governor General said. "This is exactly what I hope my mandate as the Governor General will reflect."

What is LEGISInfo?

LEGISinfo is an essential research tool for finding information on legislation before Parliament. This tool provides electronic access to a wide range of information about individual bills, such as: - details on the passage of the bill through the Senate and House of Commons; - the text of the bill as introduced at First Reading and is most recent version if it is amended during the legislative process; - votes; - major speeches at second reading; - coming into force data; - legislative summaries from Parliamentary information and Research Service of the Library of Parliaments - government press releases and backgrounders (for government bills). LEGISinfo is a collaborative effort of the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament.

What is the Majority Supporting the Government rule for the House of Commons?

MAJORITY SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT: Our parliamentary system requires that governments must be supported by the majority of Members in the House of Commons and Senate. Thus, majority government results from a general election where one party (or a coalition of parties) wins the majority of the seats in the House of Commons. Canada has never been governed by a true coalition of parties. Within each Parliament, party standings can and do fluctuate because of deaths, resignations, by-elections, floor crossings or other changes to the status of individual Members. As a result, the government's ability to retain the support of the majority of Members can be increased or diminished. All questions arising in the House are to be decided by a majority vote of those Members present. Even the rules by which the House governs its own proceedings are adopted by simple majority vote. It is therefore obvious that the government's ability to command the support of a majority of the House allows it to exercise control over the management of the business of the House and, by extension, of its committees. The government's powers in this regard are counterbalanced by its responsibility to the House to account for its actions. The government's role in the management of House business is established in several Standing Orders, which refer either to the government or a Minister as the initiator of certain types of proceedings. Likewise, there are many Standing Orders that recognize the House's role in holding the government to account for its actions. Parliamentary procedure must balance the government's power to manage the business of the House, against the opposition's responsibility to hold the government accountable. The crucial test of the government's power comes in votes of confidence, for in Canada's parliamentary democracy, a government must enjoy the confidence of the House.

Who are the Members of the Executive Committee for Senate Administration and Support?

MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 1. Interim Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, and Chief Legislative Services Officer Gérald Lafrenière 2. Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel: Philippe Hallée 3. Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration: Pascale Legault

Give an example of a typical outline the Order Paper and the Notice Paper would follow

ORDER OF BUSINESS Senators' Statements (18 minutes) ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS (30 minutes) 1. Tabling of Documents 2. Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees 3. Government Notices of Motions 4. Government Notices of Inquiries 5. Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills 6. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills 7. First Readings of Commons Public Bills 8. Reading of Petitions for Private Bills 9. Introduction and First Reading of Private Bills 10. Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations 11. Notice of Motions 12. Notice of Inquiries 13. Tabling of Petitions Question Period (30 minutes) Delayed Answers ODERS OF THE DAY Government Business - bills - messages from the House of Commons - bills - third reading - bills - reports of committees - bills - second reading - reports of committees - other - motions - inquiries - other Other Business - bills - messages from the House of Commons - Senate Public Bills - Third Reading - Commons Public Bills - Third Reading - Private Bills - Third Reading - Senate Public Bills - Reports of Committees - Private Bills - Reports of Committees - Senate Public Bills - Second Reading - Reports of Committees - Other - Motions - Inquiries - Other NOTICE PAPER - Notices of Motions - Notices of Inquiries

Give an Overview of the Canadian Parliamentary System including who composes the parliament, the government and where there is overlap.

OVERVIEW OF THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM 1. Parliament - The Monarch (represented by the Governor General) - Senators - Members of Parliament (MPs) 2. Government - Executive (the Monarch/Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet) - Federal departments (such as National Defence, Justice and Finance) 3. Overlap - Monarch/Governor General - Prime Minuster - Cabinet members (Senators and MPs) *Parliament and Government do not mean the same thing! Parliament is the legislative (lawmaking) part of government, made up of the Monarch, the Senate and the House of Commons. ex. Parliament passed a bill Government has two meanings: - Generally, government refers to the management (governing) of a country - specifically, the Government consists of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the federal departments they manage Three branches work together to govern Canada: 1. executive - decision making branch (also called Government), made up of the Monarch (rep. Gov. General), the Prime Minister and the Cabinet 2. legislative - the law-making branch, made up of the appointed Senate and the elected House of Commons 3. judicial branches - series of independent courts the interpret the laws passed by the other two branches Canada is a constitutional monarchy, which means that we recognize the Queen or King as the Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government.

What does Pascale Legault, Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, do?

On November 20, 2017, Pascale Legault was appointed Chief of Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee of Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration as well as a member of the Executive Committee. The Chief Corporate Services Officer and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration is a senior executive of the Senate Administration who is responsible for the management and strategic direction of the corporate services sector as well as the Internal Economy Secretariat. The sector includes four directorates including: 1. Finance and Procurement 2. Information Services 3. Property and Services 4. Policy and Planning In addition, she supports the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration as its most senior corporate and procedural advisor. The Committee oversees and directs the internal management and affairs of the Senate. As a member of the Executive Committee, Ms. Legault has shared responsibility in the overall governance, accountability and management of the Senate Administration. The Executive Committee ensures that the Administration provides the support and services required to enable the Senate and all senators to efficiently fulfill their parliamentary duties and constitutional responsibilities. Ms. Legault joined the Senate as Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Finance and Procurement Directorate in 2015. She has over 20 years of experience in management both with the private and public sector. Having held senior management positions, including Chief Financial Officer at the Canada Council for the Arts, Director General in Financial Management at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Principal Director with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Ms. Legault is an accredited Chartered Professional Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Quebec.

What is ParlVU?

ParlVU offers live, on-demand screenings of all senate proceedings. You can tune in on senate committee meetings through it.

What does, Philippe Hallée, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel do?

Philippe Hallée was appointed as the 10th Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the Senate on March 25, 2019. As Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, Mr. Hallée is the chief legal adviser to the Senate. He heads the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, the Senate's in-house legal department. His office is responsible for providing non-partisan legal services in relation to the legislative process to the Senate, the Speaker of the Senate, standing and special Senate committees, and individual senators on the many areas of the law engaged in the course of parliamentary business. This includes the law on the privileges, immunities, and powers of Parliament and its members. His office also provides expert legislative drafting services to assist senators in their constitutional mandate to deliberate on all matters within the legislative authority of the federal Parliament. As Law Clerk, Mr. Hallée arranges for the preparation of parchments of Senate bills, the engrossing of Senate amendments to House of Commons bills, and the publication of all Senate government bills and senator's public and private bills. Furthermore, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel provides corporate counsel functions to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, in diverse areas such as labour law, contracting and policy development. A senior executive of the Senate Administration, Mr. Hallée is responsible for the management and strategic direction of the Legal Sector of the Senate, which includes the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel and the Human Resources Directorate. He also has shared responsibility in the overall governance, accountability and management of the Senate Administration. The Executive Committee ensures that the Administration provides the support and services required to enable the Senate and all senators to fulfill their parliamentary duties and constitutional responsibilities. Mr. Hallée has been a member of the Barreau du Québec since 1991. He holds a Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B.) from the Université de Sherbrooke, and a diploma in French legislative drafting and a certificate in Public Sector Leadership and Governance from the University of Ottawa. Mr. Hallée joined the Senate from the Privy Council Office, where he was Director of Legal Operations from 2016 to 2019. He previously had a 20-year career at the Department of Justice Canada in various positions of increasing responsibility, including Chief Legislative Counsel of Canada from 2012 to 2016. As Chief Legislative Counsel, Mr. Hallée helped facilitate the transmission of data between the Department of Justice, the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Canada Gazette, leading to a more harmonized and efficient drafting and publication practice for government bills and regulations. Previously, he spearheaded the initiative to modernize the format of federal Acts and regulations which led to the current format of legislative texts.

Where can publications by the Senate be found? List some examples.

Publications by the Senate can be found at: https://sencanada.ca/en/about/publications/publications/ Ex. - Canada's Senate: A Chamber of Thought and Action - Canada's Senators: Strong and Principles Voices - How a Bill Becomes a Law - Senate Page Program - The Red Chamber on Rideau Street: The Senate of Canada makes its temporary home in an Ottawa landmark - The Speaker of the Senate - The Wise Owls by the Senate of Canada - The Senate of Canada Activity Book

How has Senate adapted to current COVID-19 measures?

Senators who are unable to travel to Ottawa will be able to participate in Senate sittings virtually as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Senate has adopted a plan for hybrid sittings to begin as soon as possible, allowing Senators physically present int eh chamber and those participating virtually to debate, ask questions and vote. "Balancing health and safety, including complying with provincial and territorial regulations, is an important consideration for Senators as they discharge their Parliamentary duties," said Senator Marc Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate. "Hybrid sittings will help ensure Senators can fully participate in proceedings even if they are unable to travel across this vast country during the second wave of the pandemic." Highlights of the hybrid sittings include that senators participating by videoconference: - must use a computer and headphones with an integrated microphone provided by the Senate — and not personal devices; - must have their video on and broadcasting their image at all times - logging off the videoconference if they leave their seats with the exception of the period when bells are ringing for a vote; and - are not required to stand when speaking or voting. Under the approved model, senators participating virtually will hold up a card during standing votes. The voting process would begin with senators voting "yay" in the chamber, followed by senators voting with the established "yay" card by videoconference. Senators voting "nay" would follow in the same way, and finally senators who are abstaining. In recognition of senators participating virtually from coast to coast in Canada's different time zones, as well as public health considerations, the sitting times have been adjusted as follows (all times EST): - Mondays will begin at 6 p.m. and end no later than the end of Government business or 9 p.m.; - Tuesdays and Thursdays will begin at the usual 2 p.m. and end no later than 9 p.m.; - Wednesdays will begin at the usual 2 p.m., and end no later than the end of Government business or 4 p.m., in anticipation of potential committee meetings; and - Fridays will begin at 10 a.m. rather than 9 a.m., and end no later than the end of Government business or 4 p.m. Additionally, the two-hour dinner break has been condensed to one hour. Senator Gold thanked Senate Administration for the hard work done so far in preparing for hybrid sittings, including recent rehearsals to test how business can be best conducted. Senator Gold also thanked Senate leadership - as well as all Senators - for their ongoing collaboration during this challenging pandemic period. The first hybrid sitting will be held on November 3, 2020.

What is the Speech from the Throne?

THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE The Speech from the Throne opens every new session of Parliament. The Speech introduces the government's direction and goals, and outlines how it will work to achieve them. The Governor general, who represents the Monarch in Canada, presides over this solemn and formal ceremony. Former prime ministers and Supreme Court justices are also invited to attend. The Senate Speaker directs the Usher of the Black Rod - the Queen's messenger in Parliament - to go to the House of Commons to summon Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Senate for the throne speech. However, MPs cannot enter the Chamber itself, so they remain behind the brass bar located at the entrance of the Senate Chamber. This bar marks the boundary of the Senate Chamber; respect for this boundary represents the importance of the two houses maintaining their independence. Only one MP - for the Speech from the Throne, normally the prime minister - crosses the bar, to accompany the Queen's representative while she is in Parliament. The governor general usually reads the speech, although Queen Elizabeth II has done so twice in the past - October 14, 1957 and October 18, 1977. The Speech allows the government to announce its agenda for the next parliamentary session. So, even though the speech is read by the governor general, it is the Prime Minister's Office that writes it. The opening of every new session of Parliament requires a proclamation by the governor general; senators and MPs do not have the power to initiate a parliamentary session on their own. The proclamation sets the date on which Parliament is to reconvene. WHY: The Senate and the House of Commons can't open a parliamentary session on their own authority. No public business can be conducted by the Senate or the House until after the Speech from the Throne is read. WHO: The governor general usually reads the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber. The governor general is the Queen's representative in Parliament. WHAT: The Throne speech is a summary of the government's goals for the new parliamentary session. It is read by the governor general, but the Prime Minister's Office writes it. WHERE: The throne speech takes place inside the Senate Chamber where the thrones are found. It is not held in the House of Commons because, by tradition, the Queen and senators are forbidden from entering the Lower Chamber. WHEN: The speech takes place after a general election or a prorogation of Parliament (a break that occurs between parliamentary sessions). HOW: The Usher of the Black Rod leads the Senate Speaker's parade into the Senate Chamber. Once the governor general arrives, the Usher summons MPs to the Red Chamber. The Usher has to knock three times on the House of Commons door with the base of the black rod to deliver his message. After MPs arrive at the entrance to the Senate Chamber, they watch the ceremony with other parliamentarians and Supreme Court justices. When the throne speech is over, the Usher leads the parade out of the Senate Chamber.

What is the Board of Internal Economy?

The Board of Internal Economy (the Board) is committed to increasing public understanding about its role and the expenditures of the House of Commons and its Members. The Board is also working hard to make expenditure and financial reports clearer and easier to access. ROLE OF THE BOARD The Board of Internal Economy is the governing body of the House of Commons. In this capacity, the Board makes decisions and provides direction on financial and administrative matters of the House of Commons, specifically concerning its premises, its services, its staff and Members of the House of Commons. The Board is responsible for establishing By-laws, policies and guidelines relating to expenditures and resources provided by Members in order to carry out their parliamentary functions. The Board also has the exclusive authority to determine whether expenditures are proper and in accordance with the By-laws, policies and guidelines that have been established. This authority is given to the Board by the Parliament of Canada Act. HOW THE BOARD FUNCTIONS The Board consists of the Speaker, who acts as Chair, two members of the Privy Council (appointed to the Board by the Government), the Leader of the Opposition or his or her representative, and additional Members appointed in the numbers so that there are an equal number of Government and opposition representatives (apart from the Speaker). The Clerk of the House of Commons, who reports to the Speaker, serves as Secretary to the Board. Decisions of the Board are made on a non-partisan basis. All recognized parties (i.e. those holding at least 12 seats in the House) are given representation on the Board. The Board designates to spokespersons from its membership: a member of the Government and a member of the Official Opposition. They respond to questions related to the Board's business during Question Period and to enquiries from the media. BOARD COMPOSITION: The Board consists of: - the Speaker, Hon. Anthony Rota (Liberal), who acts as Chair, - two members of the privy council (appointed to the board by the Government) - the Leader of the Opposition or his or her representative - additional Members appointed in numbers so that there are an equal number of Government and opposition representatives (apart from the Speaker) The Clerk of the House of Commons, who reports to the Speaker, serves as the Secretary of the Board

Who is the current speaker of the house?

The Honourable George J. Furey

What is the role of the House of Commons Administration?

The House Administration supports Members and the Board of Internal Economy as their needs evolve by offering efficient, accountable, and non-partisan support, while also preserving the collective memory and traditions of the institution.

Describe the House of Commons in the legislature

The House of Commons The House of Commons, or lower house, is the elected assembly of the Parliament of Canada. The Constitution Act provides for the size and distribution of representation in the Commons, as well as for future readjustments, or "redistributions".142 With the passage of An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act in 2011, the House now consists of 338 Members distributed as follows: - Alberta: 34 - BC: 42 - Manitoba: 14 - New Brunswick: 10 - Newfoundland and Labrador: 7 - Northwest Territories: 1 - Nova Scotia: 11 - Nunavut: 1 - Ontario: 121 - PEI: 4 - Quebec: 78 - Saskatchewan: 14 - Yukon: 1 The Executive In Canada, executive authority is vested in the Sovereign and exercised by the Governor in Council.143 Formally, this is the Governor General acting by and with the advice and consent of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada; in practice, it is the Governor General acting with the advice and consent of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.144 As provided for under the Constitution Act, 1867, the Privy Council is composed of individuals chosen by the Governor General to advise the Crown;145 in practice, Privy Council nominations are made on the advice of the Prime Minister. Privy councillors are given the title "Honourable", which they retain for life.146 They serve "at pleasure"147 but their term is effectively for life. Prime Ministers are designated "Right Honourable" for life from the moment they assume office.148 Once appointed, the Prime Minister selects a number of confidential advisers (usually from among the members of the government party) who are first made members of the Privy Council. The selected confidential advisers are then sworn in as Ministers.149 Collectively, they are known as the "Ministry" or Cabinet.150 Privy councillors are active in their capacity as advisers to the Crown only as part of a Ministry.151 However, not all privy councillors are part of a Ministry and some may never have been Ministers.152 A Prime Minister's choice of Ministers is influenced by political considerations respecting, for example, geography, gender and ethnicity. However, the Prime Minister alone decides on the size of the Ministry and what constitutes an appropriate balance of representation. By custom, members of the Ministry normally sit in the House of Commons. Persons appointed to the Ministry from outside Parliament are expected to stand for election at the earliest possible opportunity. If they are unsuccessful at the polls, custom requires they resign from the Ministry.153 Although the terms "Ministry" and "Cabinet" are commonly used interchangeably, in fact a Ministry can be composed of both Cabinet Ministers and Secretaries of State. Most Cabinet appointees are designated Ministers in charge of government departments (or ministries) although some may be given responsibility for an important policy portfolio.154 Secretaries of State are assigned to assist Cabinet Ministers in specific areas within their portfolios.155 In addition, the Parliament of Canada Act provides for the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries (Members of the House of Commons who assist Cabinet Ministers but who are not members of the Ministry).156 Finally, provision may be made for the appointment of an Acting Minister in the event a Minister is absent or incapacitated, or the office is vacant. A Minister's tenure in office depends solely on the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister may replace a Minister or ask for a Minister's resignation at any time. After the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and Secretaries of State are accorded precedence157 or seniority according to the date they were sworn in as privy councillors, regardless of portfolio. The duration of a Ministry is measured by the tenure of its Prime Minister, which is calculated from the day the Prime Minister takes the oath of office to the day he or she resigns. The resignation of a Prime Minister brings about the resignation of the Ministry as a whole.158 A Prime Minister who resigns but is subsequently restored to office is said to form a new Ministry.159 Responsible Government and Ministerial Responsibility Responsible government has long been considered an essential element of government based on the Westminster model.160 Despite its wide acceptance as being a cornerstone of the Canadian system of government, there are different meanings attached to the term "responsible government". In a general sense, responsible government means that a government must be responsive to its citizens, that it must operate responsibly (that is, be well organized in developing and implementing policy) and that its Ministers must be accountable or responsible to Parliament. Whereas the first two meanings may be regarded as the ends of responsible government, the latter meaning—the accountability of Ministers—may be regarded as the device for achieving it.161 In terms of ministerial responsibility, Ministers have both individual and collective responsibilities to Parliament. The individual or personal responsibility of the Minister derives from a time when the Crown governed in practice and not just in theory; Ministers advised the Sovereign and were responsible to the Sovereign for their advice. The principle of individual ministerial responsibility holds that Ministers are accountable not only for their own actions as department heads, but also for the actions of their subordinates; individual ministerial responsibility provides the basis for accountability throughout the system. Virtually all departmental activity is carried out in the name of a Minister who, in turn, is responsible to Parliament for those acts. Ministers exercise power and are constitutionally responsible for the provision and conduct of government; Parliament holds them personally responsible for it.162 The principle of collective ministerial responsibility,163 which is of a much more recent vintage, evolved when Ministers replaced the Sovereign as the decision makers of government. Ministers are expected to take responsibility for, and defend, all Cabinet decisions.164 The principle provides stability within the framework of ministerial government by uniting the responsibilities of the individual Ministers under the collective responsibility of the Crown.165 Political Parties Originally, political parties166 were variously described as groups which sought to elect governmental office holders under a given label,167 as bodies which competed "to obtain political power in legislative and executive institutions and the subsequent political debate and enactment of public policy in those institutions",168 and as organizations designed to gain control of the levers of government in order to realize their policies or programs.169 Although political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution Act, they are defined in other selected statutes for certain administrative purposes. For example, political parties may seek registration under the Canada Elections Act170 which, among other things, allows them to issue official receipts entitling contributors to a tax credit under the federal income tax system,171 to have their candidates' affiliation reflected on the ballot in an election, to incur election expenses, and to claim their share of free air time from network broadcasters during a general election campaign.172 In 2004, new legislative measures on the registration of political parties were introduced in the Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act. This Act included, for the first time, a definition of a political party: an "organization one of whose fundamental purposes is to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and supporting their election".173 The Parliament of Canada Act and the By-laws of the Board of Internal Economy (the administrative governing body of the House of Commons) make a distinction between political parties which are "recognized" in the House of Commons and those with fewer than 12 sitting Members. With regard to financial benefits, the Parliament of Canada Act provides additional allowances to the Leader, the Whip, the Deputy Whip, the House Leader, the Deputy House Leader and the Chair of the Caucus of a party that has a recognized membership of 12 or more Members in the House of Commons.174 The Board of Internal Economy also provides, for parties with a membership of at least 12 Members, financial support to fund caucus research units, information technology services and caucus meetings.175 With regard to procedure, recognized parties are also extended certain considerations,176 though the definition of what constitutes a "recognized party" is not as clear in this case as it is with financial benefits. Since the Standing Orders have never provided a definition of recognized parties, Speakers have relied on practice or a decision by the House.177 However, in recent practice, a procedural interpretation of the definition "recognized party" has come to mean any party with 12 or more Members in the House.178 Parliamentary Caucuses Throughout Canada's history, most parliamentarians have been members of political parties. In fact, Canada's system of responsible government is predicated on the ability of the governing party (usually the party with the most seats in the House of Commons) to win votes in the legislature. Members of the House of Commons belonging to the same party, traditionally together with their counterparts in the Senate,179 are collectively referred to as that party's parliamentary caucus. The government retains the confidence of the House mainly through the support of its caucus. Beginning in the Forty-Second Parliament, following the adoption of the Reform Act, 2014, caucuses of recognized parties had to identify how they would determine their membership, select their caucus chair, conduct leadership reviews and select an interim leader.180 Parliamentary caucuses meet regularly, typically on Wednesday morning when Parliament is in session, and at other times when the party's parliamentary leadership deems it necessary.181 Although each caucus operates differently, most limit attendance to parliamentarians. Because they are held in camera, caucus meetings allow Members to express their views and opinions freely on any matter which concerns them.182 Policy positions are elaborated, along with, in the case of the government party, the government's legislative proposals. Caucus provides a forum in which Members can debate their policy differences among themselves without compromising party unity. The Whip enforces party discipline. This party official ensures that Members discharge their caucus responsibilities (that is, attendance at committee meetings and in the Chamber, and, during a division, voting with the party in accordance with the Whip's instructions).183 Whips manage committee membership, allocate office space and choose who will represent the party at various special activities or functions. They are the critical communication link between the party leadership and the backbenchers.184 In addition to a Whip, each party has a House Leader185 who is responsible, in conjunction with the other House Leaders, for coordinating the day-to-day business of the House. The House Leaders of all the recognized parties meet regularly to consult one another on the sequence and transaction of parliamentary business. This practice has evolved over time to ensure that the business of the House is conducted in an organized manner. Should the House Leaders not agree on a schedule, the government retains the right, subject to the rules of the House, to decide unilaterally the order of business.186 The Opposition Functionally, the House is divided into three groups: the Ministry and its Parliamentary Secretaries, Members who support the government, and Members who oppose the government.187 The role of the opposition is key to our system of parliamentary democracy. Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier put it succinctly when he said: ... it is indeed essential for the country that the shades of opinion which are represented on both sides of this House should be placed as far as possible on a footing of equality and that we should have a strong opposition to voice the views of those who do not think with the majority.188 Members in opposition may belong to registered parties or they may be independent of any party affiliation.189 By convention, the opposition party with the largest number of seats in the House is designated as the Official Opposition (and referred to as "Her Majesty's Opposition"190), although nowhere is this set down in any Canadian rule or statute.191 The Official Opposition has precedence over the other recognized parties in opposition. On all government bills and motions, a representative of the Official Opposition is usually the first to be recognized in debate following the lead speaker from the government. Debating time in the Chamber is typically allocated roughly in proportion to the number of seats each recognized party holds in the House.192 When parliamentary committees present reports in the House which are accompanied by supplementary or dissenting opinions or recommendations, a committee member from the Official Opposition, representing those who supported the opinions or recommendations, may rise and offer a succinct explanation.193 Should an equality of seats among the largest opposition parties occur, the Speaker may be called upon to decide which party should be designated as the Official Opposition. In 1996, when a tie occurred between the two largest opposition parties during the course of a Parliament, Speaker Parent ruled that incumbency was the determining factor and that the status quo should be maintained.194 If the leader of the party designated as the Official Opposition holds a seat as a Member of the House, he or she automatically becomes Leader of the Opposition.195 If that party leader does not have a seat in the House, the caucus of the Official Opposition may designate another of its members to act as Opposition Leader.196 The office of Leader of the Opposition has been formally recognized since 1905 when Parliament voted to give the incumbent an additional salary allowance, equal to that provided to Cabinet Ministers.197 The Opposition Leader is accorded certain rights and privileges, including the right to a seat on the Board of Internal Economy,198 the right to a seat in the front row of the Chamber directly across the floor from the Prime Minister, and the right to unlimited time to participate in debates,199 unless otherwise provided. Traditionally, the Speaker recognizes the Leader of the Opposition as the first to ask a question during the daily Question Period, should he or she rise to seek the floor.200 Each year, under the Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition is permitted to select, in consultation with the leaders of the other opposition parties, the main estimates of two departments or agencies for consideration in Committee of the Whole for up to four hours. The Standing Orders also empower the Opposition Leader to extend a committee's consideration of the main estimates of a specific department or agency. The leaders of the other recognized opposition parties usually sit in the front row of the Chamber and are the first members of their party to be given the floor should they rise to ask a question during Question Period. Some statutes require that the government consult with the Leader of the Opposition, as well as other party leaders, when certain actions are contemplated, or prior to making certain sensitive appointments. The Standing Orders provide that the Speaker, after consultation with the leaders of each of the officially recognized parties, announces to the House the names of the Members for the positions of Deputy Speaker of the House and Chair of Committees of the Whole, Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, and Assistant Deputy Speaker and Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole. Each announcement is followed by a motion for the election of the designated Member, deemed to have been moved and seconded, and the question is put immediately without debate or amendment. Moreover, the Standing Orders of the House of Commons provide an opportunity for recognized opposition parties to respond to Ministers' statements, to propose motions on allotted or opposition days and to chair certain standing committees.

What is the Order Paper and Notice Paper?

The Order Paper and Notice Paper is a document that guides the deliberations of the Senate and lists items of business currently before it. These items are listed in several different categories and in a priority according to an arrangement adopted by the Senate as stipulated in the rules. The majority of these items constitute the Orders of the Day, which are called following Routine Proceedings. These items are themselves divided into two principal categories - government business and other business. Within each of these two categories are items for bills, motions, inquiries and reports of committees. The Notice Paper contains the text of motions and inquiries, not yet called for debate. The Order Paper and Notice Paper is prepared everyday in advance of the actual seating.

Describe the Senate's role in the legislature

The Senate is the appointed upper house of the Parliament of Canada. It exercises all the powers of the House of Commons with the exception of the right to initiate financial legislation. Senators are "summoned" or appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. They must be at least 30 years of age, reside in the province for which they have been summoned, and have real and personal property worth $4000, in excess of any debts and liabilities. Quebec Senators must both reside in and hold their property in the electoral division of appointment. A Senator may resign by advising the Governor General in writing to this effect. A Senator's place becomes vacant if the Senator is absent for two consecutive sessions, becomes bankrupt or insolvent or a public defaulter, becomes a citizen or subject of any foreign power, is attainted of treason or convicted "of any infamous crime," or ceases to be qualified in respect of property or residence. Unless they die, resign, are disqualified or their seat is declared vacant, Senators hold office until they retire at age 75. At Confederation, provision was made for 72 Senators. This number has been adjusted several times, mainly to accommodate the addition of new provinces and territories. For the purpose of Senate representation, Canada is deemed to be divided into four divisions: the Western Provinces, the Maritime Provinces, Ontario and Quebec. To these four divisions have been added Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The Constitution Act, 1867 now provides for 105 Senators with membership distributed as followes: - Western provinces (6 each): British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba - Ontario: 24 - Quebec: 24 - Maritime provinces (24): New Brunswick (10), Nova Scotia (10), PEI (4) - Newfoundland and Labrador: 6 - Yukon: 1 - Northwest Territories: 1 - Nunavut: 1 The Constitution also allows for the appointment of four or eight additional Senators, equally representing the four divisions. When additional Senators have been so appointed, there may be no further appointments in a division until Senate representation for that division falls below 24. At no time may the maximum number of Senators exceed 113.

What does the speaker of the senate do in general? When was the office of the Speaker instituted?

The Speaker of the Senate over sittings of the Senate and has important procedural, ceremonial, and protocol responsibilities and duties. The office was instituted at the time of Confederation, when the Senate was created as the successor to the Legislative Council of Canada. Like the various members of the Senate, the men and women who have served as its Speaker since 1867 come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The Senate's Speakers have all approached and performed the office in their own way, depending on their personalities and the challenges of the times. Collectively, they provide an important perspective on the Senate through the years.

Who is the Usher of the Black Rod

The Usher of the Black Rod is a senior parliamentary officer appointed by the Governor in Council. The Black Rod, as the Usher is known to senators, is a senior protocol officer in Parliament and a floor officer of the Senate. Mr. Peters is the seventeenth Usher of the Black Rod since Confederation. The name Usher of the Black Rod comes from the ebony cane that Black Rod carries as a symbol of authority. Under a 600-year-old parliamentary tradition, the Black Rod is the personal attendant and messenger of the Sovereign or the Sovereign's representative when either is in Parliament.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Usher of the Black Rod: - In the Senate Chamber - Coordinating Ceremonies - Personal Attendant and Messenger - Modern Administrative Functions

Usher of the Black Rod Roles and Responsibilities 1. In the Senate Chamber The Usher of the Black Rod is responsible for the many aspects of the Senate Chamber. For example, the Usher leads the Speaker's Parade that opens and closes every sitting of the Senate. Responsible for security within the Senate Chamber and its galleries, he is present on the Senate floor during the sitting and is charged with permitting or denying entry to the Chamber if the Senate or the Sovereign so order. The Black Rod also coordinates the swearing-in ceremonies for newly appointed senators and makes arrangements for Senate participation at the funerals of serving or former senators. He makes all general arrangements in the Senate Chamber to help with the effective workings of the upper house (e.g. security, audio services, seating plans, etc.). Assisted by the Senate pages, whom he directs, the Black Rod cares for the needs of senators in the Chamber as well as in the adjoining Reading Room and work stations. 2. Coordinating Ceremonies As the senior parliamentary protocol officer, the Usher is responsible for coordinating the ceremonies that take place within the Senate chamber, which is to say most ceremonies of Parliament. These include arranging the logistical, administrative and protocol details for each. One key ceremony is the opening of Parliament or of a new session of Parliament, in which the Speech from the Throne is read by the Queen or Governor General. The Usher makes most of the logistical arrangements for this event. He is Chair of a Working Group and an Inter-departmental Committee and coordinates the work of a parallel Secretariat for the Opening of Parliament. Other ceremonies in which the Usher is involved as a key organizer are state funerals and the investiture (investigation) of the Governor General. In addition, the Black Rod carries out ceremonial duties related to Royal Assent of bills. He also coordinates other ceremonies that take place in the Chamber, such as the Memorial Ceremony for Former Parliamentarians (June), and the launch of Veteran's Week (November). 3. Personal Attendant and Messenger As personal attendant to the Queen and the Governor General when they are in Parliament, the Usher of the Black Rod is a member of the welcoming party for all visiting heads of state and heads of government. The Usher is also the parliamentary officer who greets the Sovereign or her representative, the Governor General, upon his arrival at the doors of Parliament. As the Queen's messenger, the Black Rod carries out a unique element of the Opening of Parliament ceremony: summoning the members of the House of Commons to the Senate when their presence is required. Upon the order of the Speaker of the Senate (on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen or His Excellency the Governor General), the Usher is ceremonially challenged by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, approval to enter is granted by the Speaker of the House. The Usher is then admitted to the House and informs the Speaker that the presence of the members of the Commons is requested in the Senate Chamber. He then leads the assembled members in procession to the Senate. 4. Modern Administrative Functions In addition to carrying out ceremonial duties, the Usher of the Black Rod is a member of the senior management team of the Senate Administration. The Black Rod also oversees the Senate Page Program, working with the Chief and Deputy Chief Pages to ensure that the pages offer appropriate service to Senators during sittings in the Chamber, in committee meetings and during other Senate events. Educational outreach is a growing part of the Black Rod's role. He meets with youth (at such events as the Forum for Young Canadians, Encounters with Canada and Model Parliaments), professionals (e.g. at the Canadian School of Public Service, the Many Facets of Parliament Hill Program, and with Parliamentary Tour Guides), and exchange groups (US Interns).

What is a Senate sponsor?

When a Government bill is introduced in the Senate - usually after it has passed through the House of Commons but in some cases originating in the Senate - a Senate sponsor leads the consideration of the legislation. This work includes delivering major speeches in the Senate chamber and participating in a committee's in-depth review of a bill. A Senate sponsor keeps an open mind as debate proceeds. In identifying Senate sponsors, the Office of the Government Representative in the Senate works to match individual Senators' expertise, experience and policy judgements with Government legislation. A Senator may choose to sponsor a Government bill because of how it relates to is or her regional interests or professional background, or for other reasons. The Office also works with Ministers' offices to ensure sponsors have all the information as a bill is debated in the Senate and at committee. Senators are tasked with reviewing Government legislation, which may or may not have been specifically mandated by the electorate in the previous election. In some cases, the Senate amends Government legislation, and then it's up to the House of Commons to accept, decline or alter those amendments. If the chambers do not agree on a final bill, they may send messages back and forth until a resolution is found. In the past, Government legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senators who were part of the Government caucus. Given that the current Government does not have a caucus in the Senate, the three-member Government Representative Team collaborates with all Senators, regardless of their affiliation, to find sponsors. Bills have been sponsored by members of all organized groups within the Senate.