Canadian Advocacy
Welcome to CEC’s Canadian Advocacy Web site. Here you will find
information on Canada’s parliamentary government,
including its history, an explanation of the parliamentary process,
and the members of parliament.
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- How can I best advocate on behalf of students with
disabilities and gifts and talents?
- Where can I find a brief history of Canada’s
government?
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- Where can I find resources for students with
disabilities and gifts and talents?
- How can I contact my Ministry of Education?
1. Who is my member of Parliament and/or
Senator and how can I contact him/her?
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Set up a meeting with your member of Parliament to discuss issues
that impact students with exceptionalities.
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To find out who your member of Parliament is, visit Canada’s Parliament Web site and enter your
postal code. You may contact your member of Parliament by sending a
letter or e-mail to the contact information listed.
2. How can I best advocate on behalf of
students with disabilities and gifts and talents?
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Write, e-mail, or call your member of Parliament.
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Develop a relationship with your member of Parliament before you
need something from him/her.
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3. Where can I find a brief
history of Canada’s government?
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For a complete history, visit Inside Canada’s Parliament, a Web site by
the Library of Parliament. This educational site provides users with
insight on the inner workings of Parliament from a current and
historical perspective.
4. How is Parliament
organized?
Canada’s Parliament consists of three parts: the Queen (Head of
State), represented by the Governor General; the appointed Senate; and
the elected House of Commons.
The Senate, also known as the Upper or Red Chamber, has 105 members.
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the
Prime Minister to represent regions, provinces, or territories. Senators
can serve until the age of 75.
The House of Commons has 301 members, who are elected to represent
the people in their ridings. The Constitution states that a Parliament
cannot last longer than five years, after which a general election must
be held. Members sit in the House of Commons Chamber, which is decorated
in green following the tradition of the British House of Commons.
* This section is courtesy of The Parliament of
Canada.
5. What is the legislative
process?
All bills normally go through a similar series of steps in both the
Senate and the Commons.
Introduction:
The process begins when a bill is introduced.
First Reading:
The bill is “read” for the first time, without debate, and
printed.
Second Reading:
The principle of the bill is debated. It is then voted on and the bill
is sent to a parliamentary committee.
Committee Stage:
A committee hears witnesses, examines the bill clause by clause and
submits a report recommending the bill be accepted as is or with
amendments, or that it not proceed any further.
Report Stage:
Additional amendments to the bill may be moved, debated, and voted
on.
Third Reading:
The bill is debated a final time and voted on.
Message:
Once passed, the bill is sent to the other House, where the process
starts again from first reading.
Royal Assent:
The Governor General or a deputy gives the bill Royal Assent.
About Parliament:
A Parliament is made up of one or more sessions. A session can last a
few days or several years. It ends when it is prorogued by the Governor
General, at the request of the Prime Minister. A Parliament comes to an
end when the Prime Minister asks the Governor General to dissolve it and
call a general election.
The Constitution requires Parliament to meet at least once a year. In
general, Parliament sits about 27 weeks of the year. Sittings start in
September and usually continue until June, with breaks to permit
Parliamentarians to work in their regions or ridings, or travel on
official business.
Each House meets regularly to deal with national issues and debate
legislation. In addition, the Senate and the House of Commons have
committees that study bills and specific issues in detail.
An agenda determines the daily order of business from the moment the
Mace — representing legislative authority — is placed on the
table at the start of the day’s sitting until the sitting is
adjourned.
A regular sitting day always includes “routine” business.
At this time statements are made, bills introduced, petitions and
committee reports presented, documents tabled, and other business
transacted.
Most days, the major part of the sitting is spent debating
legislation proposed by the government. Time is also reserved to debate
bills or motions proposed by those who are not in Cabinet, whether
Senators or private members.
Most Canadians are familiar with Question Period in the House of
Commons. It is a time for the Prime Minister and Cabinet to be held
accountable for government policies and activities. The Senate also has
a Question Period, when Senators ask questions of the Leader of the
Government in the Senate.
* This section is courtesy of The Parliament of
Canada.
6. Where can I find what bills are pending in
Parliament?
7. Where can I find resources for students
with disabilities and gifts and talents?
8. How can I contact my Ministry of
Education?
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