Question Period is the parliamentary proceeding that tends to attract the most attention. On each day that the Senate and House of Commons are in session, Question Period gives parliamentarians an opportunity to seek information from the government and to hold it accountable on its policies and administration of public affairs.
Historically, the rules, conventions and practices surrounding Question Period in the Parliament of Canada were unwritten. However, in the 1960s, both houses adopted written rules governing the conduct of Question Period. Although the general format of Question Period has remained relatively stable since then, some changes to Question Period have been made since the adoption of these written rules, and over the years, its proceedings have been shaped by Speakers’ rulings and the initiative of parliamentarians.
In the Canadian provinces and territories, the basic structure of Question Period is generally the same, but with some differences to details like the amount of time allocated to Question Period, the number of supplementary questions that are permitted and the time allotted for individual questions and replies. Like their federal counterpart, all provinces and territories have rules in place governing both oral and written questions.
In other Commonwealth countries – namely, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand – the parliamentary proceeding during which parliamentarians are afforded the opportunity to pose questions to the government is called “Question Time.” Like in Canada, Question Time is an important opportunity for legislators to hold the government accountable. The rules respecting Question Time in these international jurisdictions vary more, with important differences to the notice requirements for questions and how questions are allocated, for example.
Read the full text of the HillStudy: Question Period in the Parliament of Canada and Other Legislatures
By Stephanie Feldman, Library of Parliament
This publication is based on a previous Library of Parliament publication by Michel Bédard.
Categories: Executive summary, Government, Parliament and politics