Canadian House of Commons

The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members, who are known as Members of Parliament. Members are elected for limited terms, holding office until Parliament is dissolved (a maximum of five years). Each member is elected by, and represents, an electoral district, which is colloquially known as a riding.

Legislative functions

Although legislation may be introduced in either House, most bills originate in the House of Commons. For the stages through which the legislation passes in the House of Commons, see Act of Parliament.

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In conformity with the British model, the Lower House alone is authorised to originate bills imposing taxes or appropriating public funds. This restriction on the power of the Senate is not merely a matter of convention, but is explicitly stated in the Constitution Act, 1867. Otherwise, the power of the two Houses of Parliament is theoretically equal; the approval of each is necessary for a bill's passage. In practice, however, the House of Commons is the dominant chamber of Parliament, with the Senate very rarely exercising its powers in a way that opposes the will of the democratically elected chamber. The last major bill defeated in the Senate came in 1991, when a bill passed by the Commons restricting abortion was rejected in the Upper House by a tied vote.

Related Topics:
1991 - Abortion

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The Senate is rendered especially powerless by a clause in the Constitution Act, 1867, that permits the Governor General (with the approval of the Queen) to appoint up to eight extra senators. The clause was invoked only once, in 1990, when Prime Minister Brian Mulroney advised the appointment an additional eight senators in order to secure the Upper House's approval for the Goods and Services Tax.

Related Topics:
1990 - Brian Mulroney - Goods and Services Tax

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