The Canadian Parliament

This reference book is primarily a procedural work which examines the many forms, customs, and practices which have been developed and established for the House of Commons since Confederation in 1867. It provides a distinctive Canadian perspective in describing procedure in the House up to the end of the first session of the 36th Parliament in Sept. 1999. The material is presented with full commentary on the historical circumstances which have shaped the current approach to parliamentary business. Key Speaker's rulings and statements are also documented and the considerable body of practice, interpretation, and precedents unique to the Canadian House of Commons is amply illustrated. Chapters of the book cover the following: parliamentary institutions; parliaments and ministries; privileges and immunities; the House and its Members; parliamentary procedure; the physical & administrative setting; the Speaker & other presiding officers; the parliamentary cycle; sittings of the House; the daily program; oral & written questions; the process of debate; rules of order & decorum; the curtailment of debate; special debates; the legislative process; delegated legislation; financial procedures; committees of the whole House; committees; private Members' business; public petitions; private bills practice; and the parliamentary record. Includes index.

Bridging Canadian party politics and legislative studies, Lost on Division is the most authoritative study available on the development of parliamentary institutions in Canada.

A Canadian architectural and cultural marvel, Canada's Parliament Building, or Centre Block, has been the focal point of Canadian parliamentary democracy for much of the past century. As the Parliament Building, with its iconic gothic revival Peace Tower, approaches its 100th anniversary, it will be closed for a decade or more for much-needed renovations. Although an entire generation will miss the opportunity to see this building's wonders, A Portrait of Canada's Parliament provides a permanent written and illustrated record of it at this watershed moment. With spectacular photographs by William McElligott and inspiring thematic articles by established professional subject specialists, this volume collectively paints a portrait of one of Canada's greatest symbols from its origins into the present and on to the plans for its future. The Parliament Building, which contains both the Senate and the House of Commons, is unveiled from various angles: the astonishing history, the visionary architects, the lofty aspirations, the democratic functions housed within, the urban features, the picturesque landscape, the powerful architecture, the engineering ingenuity, the decorations' symbolic meanings, the harsher memories, the evolution echoing a growing nation, and the challenges, opportunities, and technological innovations for the most ambitious architectural renovation in Canada's history - a revitalized Parliament Building fit for the twenty-first century and beyond. This portrait provides, for the first time, an intimate analysis of the character and spirit of Canada's Parliament, and how the building's design, contents, and setting have performed their role so successfully for successive generations of Canadians.

Now in its sixth edition, The Canadian Regime continues to provide the most accessible introduction to the institutions, processes, and principles of the Canadian political system. The book's focus on the inner logic of parliamentary government explains the rationale for Canada's relatively complex political system, which the authors encourage readers to think of as an organic entity, where change in one area inevitably ripples through the rest of the system. The new edition includes the results of Canada's 2015 federal election and looks ahead to consider changes resulting from the Liberal victory. It has been thoroughly updated and revised and introduces several new topics, such as the impact of the previous Conservative government on the conventions and practices of parliamentary government and the important influence of social media on politics. Two new co-authors, Gerald Baier and Thomas M.J. Bateman, join Patrick Malcolmson and Richard Myers to bring new expertise in the areas of federalism, judicial politics, Charter jurisprudence, political parties, and the ongoing health care debate.

"Lucid and comprehensive, this fourth edition of The Canadian Regime includes analysis of the 2008 federal election, as well as updated discussions of coalition government, the single transferable vote, and the role of the Governor General, The authors also explore new developments in Senate reform and Supreme Court appointments. Like its predecessors, this edition provides a unique analysis of Canada's political regime by challenging readers to think of the political system as an organic entity where change in one area inevitably ripples through the rest of the system."--BOOK JACKET.

Lucid and comprehensive, The Canadian Regime provides a unique analysis of Canada’s political regime by challenging readers to think of the political system as an organic entity where change in one area inevitably ripples through the rest of the system. The book’s focus on the inner logic of parliamentary government explains the rationale for Canada’s relatively complex political system. The new edition includes analysis of the 2011 federal election and the implications of a return to majority government rule. Discussions of the Constitution, Charter, Senate reform, and judicial appointments are all updated, and new material is provided on the prorogation controversy, voter turnout, equalization payments, and prime ministerial government. The Canadian Regime continues to provide the most accessible introduction to the institutions, processes, and principles of the Canadian political system.