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.

Officers

The House of Commons elects a presiding officer, known as the Speaker, at the beginning of each new parliamentary term, and also whenever a vacancy arises. Formerly, the Prime Minister determined who would serve as Speaker; although the House voted on the matter, the voting constituted a mere formality. Since 1986, however, the House has elected Speakers by secret ballot. The Speaker is assisted by a Deputy Speaker, who also holds the title of Chairman of Committees of the Whole. Two other deputies—the Deputy Chairman of Commitees of the Whole and the Assistant Deputy Chairman of Commitees of the Whole—also preside. The duties of presiding over the House are divided between the four officers aforementioned; however, the Speaker usually presides over Question Period and over the most important debates.

Related Topics:
Speaker - 1986 - Question Period

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The Speaker oversees the day-to-day running of the House, and controls debates by calling on members to speak. If a member believes that a rule (or Standing Order) has been breached, he or she may raise a "point of order," on which the Speaker makes a ruling that is not subject to any debate or appeal. The Speaker may also discipline members who fail to observe the rules of the House. When presiding, the Speaker must remain impartial. The Speaker also oversees the administration of the House. The current Speaker of the House of Commons is The Honourable Peter Milliken MP.

Related Topics:
Point of order - The Honourable Peter Milliken MP

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The member of the Government responsible for steering legislation through the House is Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. The Government House Leader (as he or she is more commonly known) is a Member of Parliament selected by the Prime Minister. The Leader manages the schedule of the House of Commons, and attempts to secure the Opposition's support for the Government's legislative agenda.

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Officers of the House who are not members include the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk, the Law Clerk, the General Legislative Counsel, and several other clerks. These officers advise the Speaker and members on the rules and procedure of the House. Another important officer is the Sergeant-at-Arms, whose duties include the maintenance of order and security on the House's premises. The Sergeant-at-Arms also carries the ceremonial mace, a symbol of the authority of the Crown and of the House of Commons, into the House each sitting. The mace is subsequently laid upon the Table of the House of Commons for the duration of the sitting. The House is also staffed by parliamentary pages, who carry messages to the members in the Chamber and otherwise provide assistance to the House.

Related Topics:
Sergeant-at-Arms - Ceremonial mace - Parliamentary pages

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