Reading Time: 5 minutes Disponible en français. One hundred years ago, on 6 December 1921, Agnes Campbell Macphail became the first woman elected to the House of Commons and the first woman parliamentarian in the Parliament of Canada. This HillNote provides an overview of selected notable firsts… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minute Disponible 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… Read More ›
Reading Time: < 1 minute Disponible 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 General a wide range… Read More ›
Reading Time: 5 minutes (Disponible en français : Les femmes au Parlement du Canada) The 1921 federal general election was an important milestone for women in Canadian politics: it marked the first time that the majority of women could exercise their right to vote… Read More ›
Reading Time: 4 minutes You may also wish to consult other HillNotes in honour of International Women’s Day (Disponible en français : Mise à jour: Les femmes au Parlement du Canada) Note: This publication was updated in March, 2019: International Women’s Day 2019: A… Read More ›
Reading Time: 4 minutes (Disponible en français : Vous sentez-vous prêts à légiférer?) Government legislation often overshadows the important role played by individual members of Parliament and senators in proposing laws. Since 1910, 278 bills sponsored by MPs and senators have been passed by… Read More ›
Reading Time: 4 minutes (Disponible en français : Le Président : Comment le Canada et les différentes assemblées législatives choisissent-elles leur Président?) As the presiding officer of the House of Commons, the Speaker is the key to ensuring that the institution operates smoothly. So… Read More ›