A general election is followed by the opening of a new session of the Parliament of Canada, marking the beginning of a new parliamentary cycle. The opening involves a series of parliamentary ceremonies and procedures that precede and follow the Speech from the Throne. The opening of a Parliament typically lasts two days, as it did, for example, with the 42nd Parliament in 2015, although it can take place over the course of a single day, as it did with the opening of the 43rd Parliament in 2019. These traditions, based on the British parliamentary system, have been adapted to the reality in Canada. They remind parliamentarians of fundamental principles, such as stability, predictability and the separation of powers. Adjustments can be made depending on the circumstances, particularly when the Sovereign takes the place of the Governor General.
Proclamations of the Governor General
In keeping with the principle of the continuity of Parliament, whereby a session ends with provision made for its next meeting, when the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, makes a formal announcement, or proclamation, dissolving Parliament, the Governor General makes a second one at the same time, summoning the House of Commons for the opening of the next Parliament. Another proclamation issued after a general election may specify a new date for the first session of Parliament.
Summoning of Both Chambers
On the date set for summoning Parliament, the senators meet in the Senate Chamber, and shortly thereafter, the sworn-in members of Parliament (MPs) assemble in the House of Commons.
Opening of the First Sitting of the Senate
As the bells summoning the senators ring, the Speaker’s parade enters the Senate Chamber to mark the opening of the sitting, unless a new Speaker was appointed.
Indeed, when a new Parliament marks the arrival of a new party in power, the Prime Minister generally appoints a new Speaker of the Senate, as was done for the opening of the 42nd Parliament in December 2015. However, a re-elected Prime Minister can choose to keep the same Speaker of the Senate.
When a new Speaker is appointed, the first sitting is opened by introducing them. The new Speaker rises from the Clerk’s chair, informs the Senate of their appointment and hands their commission to the Clerk of the Senate. The Clerk then reads this official text attesting to the appointment.
The Speaker of the Senate is generally escorted to their chair by the Leader or Representative of the Government and the Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker then leads a prayer and orders the doors opened. The Senate mace is laid upon the Clerk’s table. The Speaker can then begin their speech.
Reading of a Communication from the Residence of the Governor General
The Speaker reads a communication from the residence of the Governor General announcing the arrival of the Deputy Governor General – a Supreme Court of Canada justice – in the Senate Chamber, at a later time.
If new senators were appointed, they may be introduced. One by one, they are accompanied to the Senate Chamber to take an oath of allegiance or make a solemn affirmation, sign a declaration and take their seat. Speeches by the Government Representative, leaders and facilitators may follow, and the sitting may be suspended.
Reading of Messages in the House of Commons
The House of Commons meets shortly after the opening of the first sitting of Senate. First, the Clerk of the House of Commons reads a letter from the Secretary to the Governor General. It announces the arrival of the Deputy Governor General in the Senate to open the first session of the new Parliament.
Arrival in the Senate of the Deputy Governor General of Canada
Once the Deputy Governor General arrives in the Senate, the Speaker of the Senate orders the Usher of the Black Rod to relay a message to the House of Commons, informing it that it is the Deputy Governor General’s wish that the MPs proceed immediately to the Senate.
Arrival of the Usher of the Black Rod in the House of Commons to Deliver the Message
Ordered to relay the message, the Usher of the Black Rod knocks three times on the door of the House of Commons with the Black Rod. The Usher receives permission to enter and delivers the message. A procession then forms and makes its way to the Senate.
The Usher of the Black Rod arriving from the Senate to deliver a message to the House of Commons
Note: The Black Rod is a symbol of the authority of the Usher of the Black Rod, who has a number of duties, including that of personal attendant and messenger of the Sovereign of Parliament.
Source: House of Commons, ParlVu, 5 December 2019, 09:13:25.
Upon arriving in the Senate, the MPs remain behind the brass bar at the entrance to the Chamber, which symbolizes the Senate’s independence. The Speaker of the Senate informs the MPs that the Governor General or the Sovereign, as the case may be, requires the election of a Speaker of the House of Commons before the Speech from the Throne can be delivered. The procession of MPs withdraws, then the Deputy Governor General leaves the Senate Chamber.
Electing the Speaker of the House of Commons
Electing the Speaker of the House of Commons is technically the first order of business. Pursuant to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, the Clerk of the House invites the “member who has had the longest period of unbroken service” to preside over the election. The candidates address the House, the presiding member explains the voting process and the MPs vote by secret ballot, ranking the candidates in order of preference.
After the votes are tallied, the presiding member announces the name of the member elected and leaves the chair. As is tradition, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Official Opposition escort the new Speaker to their chair, despite their feigned reluctance.
The new Speaker delivers their address, as do the leaders of the recognized parties. Unless the House refuses to give its consent, the leader of a non-recognized party may also speak. If the Speech from the Throne is scheduled for the next day, the House generally adjourns after the reading of a communication from the residence of the Governor General announcing the date and time of the Speech from the Throne.
Communication from the Residence of the Governor General Announcing Their Arrival at the Senate
The Speaker of the Senate reads a communication from the residence of the Governor General, that indicates the day and time the Governor General or the Sovereign will arrive in the Senate to officially open Parliament and deliver the Speech from the Throne. The Senate sitting is adjourned, even if the Speech from the Throne is scheduled for later the same day. In such cases, a second sitting is held.
Speech from the Throne
The Senate bells ring and senators assemble in the Senate Chamber. The Speaker’s parade enters the Chamber. The Speaker reads a prayer and then suspends the sitting to await the arrival of the Governor General or the Sovereign. The Supreme Court justices enter the Chamber, followed by the Governor General’s or Sovereign’s procession.
The Speaker of the Senate then orders the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons to summon the MPs to the Senate immediately.
As soon as the Usher of the Black Rod has delivered the message to the House of Commons, a procession made up of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the MPs makes its way to the Senate.
On arriving at the bar of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Commons announces their own election, and using established wording, states that through the Speaker, MPs “humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates.”
The Speaker of the Senate responds, on behalf of the Governor General or of the Sovereign, that the Governor General or Sovereign “will recognize and allow [the House’s] constitutional privileges.”
The Governor General usually delivers the Speech from the Throne to mark the official opening of a Parliament, although on occasion, the Sovereign delivers it in person. Hence, Queen Elizabeth II delivered the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on two occasions: the first on 14 October 1957, opening the first session of the 23rd Parliament, and the second on 18 October 1977, opening the third session of the 30th Parliament. King Charles III is slated to deliver the Speech from the Throne in person on 27 May 2025, to open the 45th Parliament.
Once the Speech from the Throne has been delivered, the Deputy Governor General gives a copy of the speech to the Speakers of both chambers. The MPs leave the Senate Chamber, then the Governor General’s or Sovereign’s procession leaves.
Certain Procedures in the Senate After the Speech from the Throne
The Senate sitting resumes after the Governor General or Sovereign departs. The pro forma Bill S‑1, An Act relating to railways, is introduced and read for the first time, but it does not proceed any further in the legislative process.
| The tradition of pro forma bills dates back to 1727. At that time, British MPs were seeking to assert their right to deliberate independently of the Sovereign. These bills mean that the Senate and the House of Commons have the right to examine issues that are not set out in the Speech from the Throne. |
The Speaker of the Senate announces that they have in their possession a copy of the Speech from the Throne, the reading of which is traditionally dispensed with. A motion proposing that the speech be examined when the Senate sits next is moved and voted on.
Within the first five sitting days of a Parliament, the Speaker of the Senate announces the process to follow to be considered for the position of Speaker pro tempore and to hold the election, if there is more than one candidate.
Other motions may be moved, particularly as concerns
- the formation and composition of the Senate’s Committee of Selection;
- sessional orders, particularly the possibility of rising earlier on Wednesdays to allow committees to meet in late afternoon.
Certain Procedures in the House of Commons After the Speech from the Throne
The Speaker of the House of Commons reports having claimed the rights and privileges of the House of Commons before the Governor General, then moves on to the Orders of the Day for the sitting.
On a motion of the Prime Minister, pro forma Bill C-1, An Act respecting the administration of oaths of office, is introduced and read for the first time.
The Speaker of the House of Commons reports having obtained a copy of the Speech from the Throne, the reading of which is usually dispensed with. Then, the Prime Minister moves that the House consider the Speech from the Throne later in the day.
Other motions can be moved and other business addressed, namely:
- the President of the Treasury Board’s motion that “the business of supply be considered at the next sitting of the House.” Adopting the order establishes a continuing order of the day for considering the business of supply;
- approval by the House of a candidate for the position of Deputy Speaker of the House and Chair of committees of the whole, and a candidate for the position of Assistant Deputy Speaker of the House, who is also Deputy Chair of the committees of the whole;
- formation and composition of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.
The Speaker is required to announce, within the first 15 sitting days, the names of the members of the Board of Internal Economy.
In the early days of the session, the Clerk of the House of Commons draws members’ names randomly to establish a list for the consideration of private members’ business. On the 20th sitting day following the draw, the first 30 names on the list constitute the order of priority.
Usually, a motion is moved concerning the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne, on the same day as the speech. The debate on this address usually begins at this sitting.
The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons reads the order of future business. Government bills can be introduced as early as the second or third day, and a debate can begin the following day.
By François Delisle, Library of Parliament