Decoding: The House of Commons

The House of Commons is one half of the legislative branch of the federal government (the Senate being the other half). The House is made up all 308 elected Members of Parliament from across the country, each of whom represents a particular constituency. When we go and vote in a federal general election, there are actually 308 small elections simultaneously taking place. Put all the winners in the same room in Ottawa and you get the House of Commons.

Parties in the House

Almost all MPs affiliate themselves with a political party, and they sit with their fellow party members in the House (together, they're referred to as the party "caucus"). Although each party's caucus generally votes together on issues, there are exceptions to this rule - sometimes parties will allow free votes, or MPs will disagree with their party. The party with the most MPs generally forms the government, which means that the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet are also MPs.

What happens in the House
 

The House of Commons is where MPs debate laws, taxes, policies, government spending, etc. If you want to change any of these things, you have to go through the House at some point in the process of approval. The House is also the main body holding the government (the PM and cabinet) accountable to the Canadian public. The House only sits together for part of the year - the rest of the time, MPs return to their local constituencies to meet with you, the people.

Why should you care? Because the House is the direct manifestation of the people's will in Ottawa. We don't elect the PM in Canada, but MPs are accountable to their constituents. Our political institutions are in a continual state of evolution, and changes to the House of Commons affect how you are represented in Canada's democratic system. Now that you've read this article, you can research more, or why not contact your local MP's office to see what they're up to?

Parliament's Official Website:

 

Excellent encyclopedia entry on the House of Commons:

Current configuration of the House of Commons:

 

CPAC often streams live video from the floor of the House, or from its various Parliamentary Committees, so check out www.cpac.ca

 

If Question Period intrigues you, turn on CPAC or go to www.cpac.ca (while the House is in session) Monday to Thursday at around 2:15pm, and Friday at around 11:15am (all times Eastern)

 

Archived video of two particularly combative, intense Question Period sessions from December 2nd and 3rd, 2008, in the midst of a debate around the ability of the opposition parties to cooperate to form an alternative government-in-waiting to replace the Conservatives. The so-called "coalition debate" produced some of the most heated Question Periods in a long time, and as such these two days showcase much of the "team sport" aspect that dominates the exchange every day in the House.

Dec. 2: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=2189

Dec. 3: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&lang=e&clipID=2194

 

Very interesting article by Macleans columnist Paul Wells proposing changes to the Question Period format: