On Monday, November 22, Canada's House of Commons will meet
for the first time since the federal general election. Designed for
businesses, organizations, and individuals with a stake in the
functioning of our federal democratic institutions, this primer
outlines the steps leading up to, and following, the resumption of
parliamentary activity.
Background
The last sitting of the House of Commons was June 23. The
Senate, which often sits later than the House of Commons to
consider bills passed by the House, last met on June 29. Both
chambers then adjourned until anticipated return dates during the
third week of September.
On Sunday, August 15, Parliament was dissolved, and a general
election – when Canadians would determine who represents them
in the House of Commons – was fixed for September 20. When
the results of the country's 44th general election were
tabulated, the Liberal Party of Canada, led by the Rt. Hon. Justin
Trudeau, had won 160 seats.
