Parliament of Canada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parliament of Canada Parlement du Canada (French)
42nd Canadian Parliament (current)
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate House of Commons
History
Founded	1 July 1867 (1867-07-01)
Preceded by	Initially assumed some jurisdiction from: Parliament of the Province of Canada General Assembly of Nova Scotia New Brunswick Legislature Later added some jurisdiction from: Hudson's Bay Company Legislature of the United Colony of British Columbia General Assembly of Prince Edward Island General Assembly of Newfoundland (then suspended) Parliament of the United Kingdom
Leadership
Monarch	Elizabeth II Since 6 February 1952
Governor General	Julie Payette Since 2 October 2017
Speaker of the Senate	George Furey, Non-Affiliated Since 3 December 2015
Speaker of the House of Commons	Geoff Regan, (Liberal) Since 3 December 2015
Prime Minister	Justin Trudeau, (Liberal) Since 4 November 2015
Structure
Seats	443 338 Members of Parliament 105 Senators
Senate political groups	ISG (54)      Conservative (31)      Liberal (9)      Non-affiliated (11)
House of Commons political groups	Liberal (177)      Conservative (97)      New Democratic (41)      Bloc Québécois (10)      Green (2)      People's (1)      CCF (1)      Independent (7)      Vacant (2)
Elections
Senate voting system	Appointment by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
House of Commons voting system	Plurality by constituency
House of Commons last election	19 October 2015
House of Commons next election	Scheduled for 21 October 2019
Meeting place
House of Commons of Canada - West Block - Parliament Hill Ottawa, Ontario Canada and Senate of Canada - Government Conference Centre 2 Rideau Street Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The Parliament of Canada (French: Parlement du Canada) is the federal legislature of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the national capital. The body consists of the Canadian monarch, represented by a viceroy, the Governor General; an upper house, the Senate; and a lower house, the House of Commons. Each element has its own officers and organization. By constitutional convention, the House of Commons is dominant, with the Senate and monarch rarely opposing its will. The Senate reviews legislation from a less partisan standpoint and the monarch or viceroy provides royal assent to make bills into law.

The Governor General summons and appoints the 105 senators on the advice of the Prime Minister, while the 338 members of the House of Commons—called members of Parliament (MPs)—each represent an electoral district, commonly referred to as a riding, and are directly elected by Canadian voters. The Governor General also summons Parliament, while either the viceroy or monarch can prorogue or dissolve Parliament, the latter in order to call a general election. Either will read the Throne Speech. The most recent Parliament, summoned by Governor General David Johnston in 2015, is the 42nd since Confederation.

Images for kids

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  The Queen of Canada

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  The Senate

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  The House of Commons

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  Usher of the black rod, Kevin S. MacLeod, before the thrones in the Senate chamber, 2009

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  King George VI, with Queen Elizabeth, grants Royal Assent to bills in the Senate chamber, 1939

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  The burning of the Parliament in Montreal, 1849

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  The first session of the House of Commons in its temporary location at the Victoria Memorial Museum, 18 March 1918

See also

In Spanish: Parlamento de Canadá para niños