House of

Commons of
Canada
The House of Commons of
Canada is the lower house of the
Parliament of Canada. Together
with the Crown and the Senate
of Canada, they comprise the
bicameral legislature of Canada.
The House of Commons is a
democratically elected body
whose members are known as
members of Parliament (MPs)
The British North America Act
1867 (now called the Constitution
Act, 1867) created the Dominion
of Canada and the House of
Commons
 History
When
1867, when the British Parliament
passed the British North America Act

What happened
Unity of the Province of Canada, Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick into a single
federation

Who was included

the monarch , the Senate and the House of Commons
338 members in total

not longer that 5 years

wins the one who signs up the

most local party members
generally

citizen of Canada and at least

eighteen years of age
 Opposition Parties
In order for a party to be recognized in the
House, it must have 12 or more Members of
Parliament.
The Opposition is allotted up to twenty-five
days in three supply periods to determine the
subject of debate in the House.

Parliamentary Privilege
Members have the right to speak freely — without being liable to prosecution
in the courts — in proceedings of the House and its committees. MPs cannot
say anything they please; the House has a responsibility to control its members
and to protect ordinary citizens from vilification
 Commmittees
The Parliament of Canada uses committees
for a variety of purposes. Committees
consider bills in detail and may make
amendments. Other committees scrutinize
various Government agencies and ministries.

The House of Commons also has several

standing committees, each of which has
responsibility for a particular area of
government

Standing committees may also consider and

amend bills. Standing committees consist of
between sixteen and eighteen members each,
and elect their chairs.
 Legislative
functions
Although legislation may be introduced
in either chamber, most bills originate in
the House of Commons.

In conformity with the British model, the

Lower House alone is authorized to
originate bills imposing taxes or
appropriating public funds.
the House of Commons is the dominant chamber of Parliament,
with the Senate very rarely exercising its powers in a way that
opposes the will of the democratically elected chamber.
Thank you
for your
attention