Legislative Politics

Chapter 6

Democratic Governments

Legislaturemembers elected

in free & open elections

Executivepower restricted by constitutionneeds legislature to pass laws

Judiciaryno executive interference

Democratic Government

Legislatures legitimize the policies of the executive.

The Canadian Legislature is

Bicameral

House of Commons Senate

Canadian Parliament

Senate

House of Commons

Members of Parliament

Royal Galipeau MP Ottawa Orleans

Members of Parliament• Constituency responsibilities• Legislative duties – voting, can introduce private member’s bills

• The majority of MPs are backbenchers

Paul DewarMP Ottawa Centre(NDP)

Royal Galipeau MP

Ottawa Orleans

(Conservative)

David McGuinty MP Ottawa South

(Liberal)

Legislative Process

Royal Ascent

Third Reading

Committee Stage/Followed by Report Stage

Second Reading

First Reading (Senate)

Third Reading

Committee Stage/Followed by Report Stage

Second Reading

First Reading (Commons)

Types of Bills

• Senate (start with an S)• Commons (start with a C)• Government/Private Members (and Private)

Majority/Minority Parliaments

• A majority parliament occurs when one party wins over 50% of the seats in the House of Commons and forms the government (controls the political executive)

• A minority parliament occurs when one party wins more seats than any other party and forms the government but does not hold a majority of seats

Party Discipline

• In Canada, Members of Parliament are generally required to vote along party lines

• The party whip ensures that MPs know how to vote on a bill

• MPs could be disciplined for voting against their party

Committees

Former Prime Minister Mulroney before a Parliamentary Committee

Legislative function

Conducting Studies

Question Period

Very Partisan--It’s a bloodsport

Role of Media

Fusion of Powers

• In Canada the Executive and Parliament are linked by the Prime Minister and cabinet

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers simultaneously sit in both the Executive and House of Commons

• In Canada, because of party discipline and fusion of power, the Prime Minister is very powerful in a majority government