Guide to the Canadian House of Commons
Introduction
Every day, there is something in the news about the House of Commons. It may be about a bill that was passed, an issue raised in Question Period, or a statement by a Member of Parliament. Yet for all the attention the House receives, many Canadians still have questions about what happens there and the role that Members of Parliament play.
The idea behind this guide is to answer some of those questions. It explains how the House of Commons fits into Canada’s parliamentary system of government. It also describes the work done in the Commons and gives a look at the day-to-day life of a Member of Parliament.
The House of Commons is a fascinating place. It is a forum where all Canadians have a direct link to the governing of the country. In the Commons Chamber, the nation’s most critical issues are debated, and Members can express the views of the people they are elected to represent. By understanding how the House of Commons works, Canadians will be in a better position to judge the performance of their representatives and to see how they themselves can participate in our system of government.
Peter Milliken, M.P.
Speaker of the House of Commons
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