Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. At the federal level, there are several sequential stages that must be completed for a policy proposal to be transformed from an idea into a law. The process involves all three components of the legislative branch (the Sovereign, the Senate and… Read More ›
Reading Time: 3 minutesDisponible en français. One of Parliament’s fundamental roles is to review and approve the government’s taxation and spending plans. To fulfill this role, parliamentarians follow the parliamentary financial cycle, which consists of a continuous loop of activities that take place… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. Officers of Parliament support both houses in their accountability and scrutiny functions by carrying out independent oversight responsibilities assigned to them by statute. These officers are responsible directly to Parliament rather than to the government or a federal… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. Canada’s founding document, the Constitution Act, 1867, established the country as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Executive authority resides with the Sovereign or that person’s representative (i.e., the Governor General of Canada). The Constitution assigns the Governor… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. Gender equality means that every person, regardless of their gender identity, has the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities. While in Canada, every individual is equal and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law,… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. Canadian citizenship can be obtained through birth on Canadian soil, by descent through birth or adoption outside of Canada to a Canadian citizen, or through naturalization (the process by which citizenship is obtained by a foreign national)…. Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. Equalization is a federal transfer payment program designed to reduce the differences in revenue-generating capacity among Canada’s 10 provinces. The program helps ensure that all Canadians have access to broadly comparable levels of public services. The Equalization program is… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. Section 33(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) permits Parliament or the legislature of a province to adopt legislation to override certain rights and freedoms for a limited period, subject to renewal. Such a use… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. The Public Accounts of Canada is an annual report of the Government of Canada’s financial activities for the fiscal year ending each 31 March. It includes consolidated financial statements, summaries of various financial reports, and additional analysis and information. It does not include Canada Pension Plan… Read More ›
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. The preamble to the Lobbying Act states that free and open access to government is an important matter of public interest, that lobbying public office holders is a legitimate activity, that it is desirable for public office holders and… Read More ›