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.

Members and elections

The House of Commons is composed of 308 members, each of whom represents a single electoral district (also called a "riding"). The constitution requires that there be a minimum of 282 electoral districts; there are currently 308. Seats are distributed among the provinces in proportion to population, as determined by each decennial census, subject to the following exceptions made by the constitution. Firstly, the "senatorial clause" guarantees that each province will have at least as many Members of Parliament as Senators. Secondly, the "grandfather clause" guarantees each province at least as many Members of Parliament now as it had in 1976 or in 1985. Finally, no province may lose more than fifteen per cent of its seats after a single decennial census. As a result of these three clauses, smaller provinces and provinces that have experienced a relative decline in population are over-represented in the House. Only Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta—Canada's fastest-growing provinces—are represented roughly in proportion to their populations. Provincial boundary commissions are responsible for drawing the boundaries of the electoral districts, but their proposals are subject to parliamentary approval. Territorial representation is independent of population; each territory is entitled to only one seat.

Related Topics:
Members - Electoral district - Constitution - Provinces - Senators - 1976 - 1985 - Ontario - British Columbia - Alberta

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General elections occur whenever Parliament is dissolved by the Governor General. The timing of the dissolution is normally chosen by the Prime Minister; however, a parliamentary term may not last for more than five years. Candidates are usually nominated by political parties. It is possible for a candidate to run independently, though it is rare for such a candidate to win. The last non-incumbent independent to win was Gilles Duceppe in a 1990 by-election, although Duceppe was informally representing the Bloc Québécois, which was not yet registered as a political party with Elections Canada when the by-election was held. The last truly independent candidate to win an election was Tony Roman, who won the (former) district of York North in the 1984 Canadian federal election.

Related Topics:
General election - Governor General - Prime Minister - Political parties - Incumbent - Gilles Duceppe - 1990 - By-election - Bloc Québécois - Elections Canada - Tony Roman - York North - 1984 Canadian federal election

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To run for a seat in the House, candidates must file nomination papers bearing the signatures of at least 50 or 100 constituents (depending on the size of the electoral district). Each electoral district returns one member; they use the First Past the Post electoral system, under which the candidate with a plurality of votes wins. To vote, one must be a citizen of Canada and at least eighteen years of age.

Related Topics:
First Past the Post electoral system - Plurality

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Once elected, a Member of Parliament normally continues to serve until the next dissolution of Parliament. If a member ceases to be qualified, or resigns, his or her seat falls vacant. It is possible for the House of Commons to expel a member, but this power is only exercised when the member has engaged in serious misconduct or criminal activity. In each case, a vacancy may be filled by a by-election in the appropriate electoral district. The first past the post electoral system is used in by-elections, as in general elections.

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The term "Member of Parliament" is usually used only to refer to members of the House of Commons, even though the Senate is also a part of Parliament. Members of the House of Commons may use the post-nominal letters "MP." The annual salary of each Member of Parliament, as of 2005, is $144,100; members may receive additional salaries in right of other offices they hold (for instance, the Speakership). MPs rank immediately below senators in the order of precedence.

Related Topics:
Senate - Parliament - Members of the House of Commons - 2005 - $ - Speakership - Order of precedence

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