Structure of parliament

The Structure of Parliament

Parliament is comprised of three

parts

•The Queen

•The Senate

•The House of Commons

Our Government has three branches

•The Executive (the “Crown”)

•The Legislative Branch (Parliament)

•The Judicial Branch (the courts)

The Queen

•The Queen (Queen Elizabeth II) is Canada’s Head of State

•All laws are made in her name

•In Canada she is represented by the Governor General

The Governor General

•The Governor General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister

•Serves for 5 years

•Ensures there is always a government

The Senate

The Red Chamber in Quotes

“Under the BNA Act, the Senate was envisioned as ahouse of sober second thought. It has become a house of Frankenstein, with indexed pensions.” --Laura Sabia, 1978

“It’s a taskless thanks.” --Mike Duffy on appointments to the Senate

In the Senate•Members are appointed by...

•They serve until age 75

•The Senate passes all bills from the House of Commons; it can introduce its own bills, except for money bills

•Intended to represent the regions, minority groups and provinces and territories

Seats are distributed by region

Which region has the most?

Why have there been calls to reform the

Senate?•It’s unelected

What are some of the reform options?

•Burn it down! (just kidding!)

•Abolish it

•Triple E Senate (Elected, Equal, Effective)

•Various others, including term limits and limited elections