Our Procedure

Our Procedure is a collection of articles on topics relating to parliamentary procedure. It is designed to assist those seeking a better understanding of the workings of the House of Commons and its committees.

In the House and in Committees

Typical Sitting Day

Daily Proceedings, Routine Proceedings, Government Orders, Private Member’s Business, Adjournment Proceedings
Parliamentary Publications

Journals, Debates (Hansard), Order Paper and Notice Paper, Projected Order of Business, bills, committee documents, indexes
Debate, Voting and Decorum

Process and curtailment of debate, voting, unanimous consent, decorum, points of order
Questions (Oral and Written)

Oral Questions, Adjournment Proceedings, written questions
Private Members' Business

List for the consideration of Private Members’ Business, order of precedence, sequence
Committees

Mandates, membership, organization of business, conduct of meetings, committee documents
Legislative Process

Types of bills, stages in the legislative process

Institutional Structure

Canadian Parliamentary System

Canadian Constitution, Crown and Governor General, legislative branch, executive branch, political parties
Parliamentary Cycle

Opening of a Parliament or session, prorogation, dissolution
Parliamentary Procedure

Standing Orders, Speakers’ rulings, parliamentary practice
Physical Setting

Parliament buildings and grounds, House of Commons chamber, committee rooms
Administrative Setting

Administrative structure, Speaker’s authority, Board of Internal Economy, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Clerk of the House

Speaker and Other Presiding Officers

Speaker’s roles and election, other Chair occupants
Financial Procedures

Business of ways and means, business of supply, parliamentary financial cycle
Parliamentary Privilege

Rights and immunities of individual members, collective rights of the House, procedure in matters of privilege, limitations of privilege, contempt