Skip navigation links (access key: Z)Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives CanadaSymbol of the Government of Canada
Français - Version française de cette pageHome - The main page of the Institution's websiteContact Us - Institutional contact informationHelp - Information about using the institutional websiteSearch - Search the institutional websitecanada.gc.ca - Government of Canada website


Introduction
Alone at the Top
The Path to Power
Leading Canada
Private Life
Afterwards
[graphic]
Facts
Fun
[graphic] 		Banner: First Among Equals: The Prime Minister in Canadian Life and Politics
[graphic]
Leading Canada

Parliament

Parliament is made up of the Senate and the House of Commons. The House of Commons is the group of people who have been elected from across Canada to be federal representatives. These representatives are Members of Parliament and meet to talk about how to run Canada.
Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier and his secretary, 1897.
Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier and his
secretary, 1897. 
Copyright/Source
Not everyone agrees. The parties that are not in power are called opposition parties. They will often argue with the government and try to embarrass it into changing its decisions. The prime minister and his staff must try to guess what questions they will ask and be ready with answers. They have to do a lot of homework!
The House of Commons, 1957 (Prime Minister John Diefenbaker standing).
The House of Commons, 1957 (Prime Minister John
Diefenbaker standing). 
Copyright/Source
Previous - Next

Key Words

  • Senate:
    • A group of people in Parliament who are not elected by the public but are chosen by the prime minister, from all the provinces. The senators propose and approve laws.
  • federal:
    • Having to do with the government of all of Canada  -  not provincial governments or other levels of government.

Proactive Disclosure
Created: 2001-04-23
Updated: 2001-11-20
Top of Page
Important Notices