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Opening of the Canadian parliament

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217: 426: 372: 205:) to summon the members of the House of Commons to the Senate. Once assembled, the speaker addresses the congregation, stating "honourable members of the Senate, members of the House of Commons: I have it in command to let you know his excellency the governor general does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning of the present Parliament of Canada, until a speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, , at , his excellency will declare the causes of his calling this parliament." The 279:. Once the viceroy is in the Parliament building, the usher of the Black Rod is again sent to call the members of the House of Commons to the Senate. Upon arrival at the bar of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Commons addresses their counterpart in the Senate, asserting the rights and privileges of the Commons and its members. The speaker of the Senate, on behalf of the governor general, responds that the Crown will "recognise and allow their constitutional privileges". The governor general, seated on 17: 135: 291:
The address is followed by a debate and vote in both houses of Parliament. Formally, the motion merely calls on Parliament to thank the monarch or viceroy for the speech via an address in reply. Until 1897, this was a more detailed message, covering the content of the throne speech point by point.
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Therefore We, by these Presents, command each of you and all others interested in this behalf to appear in person on , at at Our City of Ottawa, for the DISPATCH OF BUSINESS, to treat, do, act, and conclude upon those things that Our Parliament of Canada may, by the Grace of God,
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To Her Excellency the Right Honourable , Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
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The opening of the first session of a parliament takes place over two days; the opening of a subsequent session of the same parliament requires only one day. On the first, routine business is conducted. After such is concluded, the speaker of the Senate commands the
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in the government, which, if lost, would result in the end of that government's mandate. This discussion and vote follows a symbolic raising of other matters, designed to highlight the independence of Parliament from the Crown; a practice that originated after
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We, His Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of
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We do hereby, by and with the advice of Our Prime Minister of Canada, summon and call together the House of Commons of Canada, to meet at Our City of Ottawa, on , then and there to have conference and treaty with the Senate of
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summoning Parliament—setting the date for the opening of the next parliament following the election (though, the date may be amended by subsequent proclamations, so long as Parliament eventually meets as required by the
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The debate is, however, often wide-ranging, exploring many aspects of the government's proposed policies, and spread over several days. When the address in reply is eventually voted on, the poll is held to constitute a
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bill, symbolizing the independence of the legislature from the Crown. The address in reply is made following debate on the throne speech, initiated by a cabinet minister and seconded by another and a speech from the
784: 189:, do not require the removal of senators' desks, as guests are limited to the justices of the supreme court, invitees of the governor general and prime minister, and the deans of the diplomatic corps. The 460:. After the viceroy has commanded the assembly to elect a speaker, and has approved the new speaker, the lieutenant governor declares the new legislative session open. The viceroy, typically wearing 387: 100:
To Our beloved and faithful SENATORS of Canada, and MEMBERS elected to serve in the House of Commons of Canada, and to all whom these Presents may in any way concern,
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Inside the legislative chamber, where members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), invited guests, and the press have gathered, the lieutenant governor takes the
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Once the speech is concluded and the lieutenant governor departs, the speaker takes his or her chair. An Act Respecting Oaths of Office is introduced by the
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Canada has two types of opening for the federal Parliament. While both include the monarch, governor general, or another delegate reading the
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Inside the assembly chamber, the seargeant-at-arms announces the lieutenant governor's arrival. The latter is escorted to the
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may criticize the government's priorities. The vote on the speech, however, is of paramount importance, as it is considered a
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Whereas We are desirous to meet Our People of Canada as soon as may be and to have their advice in Parliament;
495:. The viceroy then delivers the throne speech, setting out the ministry’s agenda for the legislative session. 410: 315: 229: 174: 123: 786:"My Lords and Gentlemen": A Study of British Origins and the Evolution of the Canadian Throne Speech Genre 245: 162: 155: 69: 465: 402: 324: 273: 453: 320: 206: 29: 60: 16: 413:; if the majority of MLAs vote against the throne speech, the ministry must either resign or the 349: 193:
establishes the guest list, though the size of the ceremony is determined by the prime minister.
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That the following Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada
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as a throne from which to deliver the throne speech in the legislative chamber of the
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in front of the legislature before entering the building via the ceremonial entrance.
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gave the speech from the throne in 1957 and 1977. Accompanied by four officers of the
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As the King's representative, the governor general attends Parliament to deliver the
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can summon Parliament (though they, like the other deputies, may not dissolve it).
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sit at centre, in front of the monarch. The mace bearer stands at far right. The
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for the entirety of the session and may, at any moment, be called for debate.
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TO ALL WHOM these Presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,
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and flag party. The lieutenant governor then enters Province House through a
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A later proclamation gives the precise time for parliament to open:
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tabling a motion supporting the viceroy's speech. At this point,
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to accommodate the number of official guests—the justices of the
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Thereafter, six days are set aside for the MLAs to debate the
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following a general election. It involves summons from the
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must advise the lieutenant governor to call an election.
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Ahead of the opening of the provincial legislature, the
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Governor General the Earl of Athlone, with his wife and
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Whereas Our Parliament of Canada was dissolved on ;
292:Today, in the Senate, it takes the form of simply: 723: 708: 696: 640: 628: 616: 295: 169:, require a rearrangment of the seating in the 98: 75: 8: 256:, the governor general usually rides in the 719: 717: 581: 579: 577: 554:Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 240:, sits to the sovereign's immediate right. 181:, former prime ministers, members of the 511:leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition 377:Parliament Buildings of British Columbia 272:, where the governor general inspects a 209:then return to the Commons to elect the 28:is the commencement of a session of the 844:Nova Scotia Legislature (8 June 2017), 676:"Delivering the government's blueprint" 543: 456:, by the monarch's representative, the 346:lieutenant governor of British Columbia 563:, Queen's Printer for British Columbia 468:guard of honour and band, taking the 7: 654:"Speech from the Throne Infographic" 549: 547: 446:Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia 439:Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia 156:Canada was still technically at war 144:Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone 458:lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia 444:Following a general election, the 435:lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia 26:opening of the Canadian parliament 20:The Parliament Buildings of Canada 14: 850:, King's Printer for Nova Scotia 226:Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 484:formed by the official escort. 364:. The viceroy will inspect the 331:, an Act Relating to Railways. 304:MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: 183:King's Privy Council for Canada 586:Senate of Canada (June 2015), 407:His Majesty's Loyal Opposition 360:fired by cannons brought into 323:was tried and executed by the 1: 750:, King's Printer, p. 3, 589:Senate Procedure and Practice 254:Royal Canadian Mounted Police 40:and a ceremony based on the 794:Library and Archives Canada 527:State Opening of Parliament 260:, often accompanied by the 122:, only the justices of the 120:governor general's deputies 906: 890:Speeches by heads of state 847:Opening of the Legislature 72:). These read as follows: 63:, he or she also issues a 42:same in the United Kingdom 741:"Parliamentary Elections" 597:King's Printer for Canada 737:House of Commons Library 362:Victoria's inner harbour 211:speaker for that chamber 152:20th Canadian Parliament 52:At the same time as the 678:. CBC. 12 November 2008 327:. In the Senate, it is 201:(usually called simply 150:for the opening of the 783:Woods, Henrik (2011), 441: 433:'s chair, used by the 383: 335:Provincial parliaments 310: 246:speech from the throne 241: 199:usher of the Black Rod 158: 115: 92: 70:Constitution Act, 1867 21: 724:Senate of Canada 2015 709:Senate of Canada 2015 697:Senate of Canada 2015 641:Senate of Canada 2015 629:Senate of Canada 2015 617:Senate of Canada 2015 466:Canadian Armed Forces 428: 403:minister of the Crown 374: 325:Parliament of England 274:Canadian Armed Forces 219: 207:members of Parliament 191:speaker of the Senate 137: 130:Opening of parliament 19: 885:Parliament of Canada 875:Ceremonies in Canada 354:Parliament Buildings 316:motion of confidence 179:lieutenant governors 30:Parliament of Canada 500:minister of justice 348:, representing the 880:Opening ceremonies 739:(September 2008), 442: 384: 242: 159: 146:, arriving at the 65:royal proclamation 22: 557:The Throne Speech 532:Thrones of Canada 395:Executive Council 352:, arrives at the 262:viceregal consort 140:viceregal consort 36:on behalf of the 897: 859: 858: 857: 855: 841: 835: 834: 832: 830: 811: 805: 804: 803: 801: 791: 780: 774: 773: 772: 770: 765:on 25 March 2009 764: 758:, archived from 745: 733: 727: 721: 712: 706: 700: 694: 688: 687: 685: 683: 672: 666: 665: 663: 661: 650: 644: 638: 632: 631:, pp. 41–42 626: 620: 614: 608: 607: 606: 604: 594: 583: 572: 571: 570: 568: 562: 551: 472:, followed by a 399:address in reply 350:Canadian monarch 340:British Columbia 238:John Diefenbaker 61:federal election 54:governor general 34:governor general 905: 904: 900: 899: 898: 896: 895: 894: 865: 864: 863: 862: 853: 851: 843: 842: 838: 828: 826: 813: 812: 808: 799: 797: 789: 782: 781: 777: 768: 766: 762: 743: 735: 734: 730: 722: 715: 707: 703: 695: 691: 681: 679: 674: 673: 669: 659: 657: 652: 651: 647: 639: 635: 627: 623: 615: 611: 602: 600: 592: 585: 584: 575: 566: 564: 560: 553: 552: 545: 540: 523: 493:separate throne 448:is summoned to 423: 411:confidence vote 366:guard of honour 342: 337: 311: 289: 277:guard of honour 270:Parliament Hill 132: 116: 106:A proclamation 93: 83:A proclamation 50: 12: 11: 5: 903: 901: 893: 892: 887: 882: 877: 867: 866: 861: 860: 836: 806: 775: 728: 713: 701: 689: 667: 645: 633: 621: 609: 573: 542: 541: 539: 536: 535: 534: 529: 522: 519: 450:Province House 422: 419: 415:prime minister 341: 338: 336: 333: 321:King Charles I 294: 288: 285: 234:Prime Minister 167:bench openings 131: 128: 97: 74: 57:drops the writ 49: 46: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 902: 891: 888: 886: 883: 881: 878: 876: 873: 872: 870: 849: 848: 840: 837: 824: 820: 816: 810: 807: 795: 788: 787: 779: 776: 761: 757: 753: 749: 742: 738: 732: 729: 725: 720: 718: 714: 710: 705: 702: 698: 693: 690: 677: 671: 668: 655: 649: 646: 642: 637: 634: 630: 625: 622: 618: 613: 610: 598: 591: 590: 582: 580: 578: 574: 559: 558: 550: 548: 544: 537: 533: 530: 528: 525: 524: 520: 518: 516: 512: 507: 506: 501: 496: 494: 490: 485: 483: 479: 475: 474:15-gun salute 471: 467: 463: 462:civil uniform 459: 455: 451: 447: 440: 436: 432: 427: 420: 418: 416: 412: 408: 404: 401:, begun by a 400: 396: 391: 389: 382: 378: 373: 369: 367: 363: 359: 358:15-gun salute 355: 351: 347: 339: 334: 332: 330: 326: 322: 317: 309: 305: 302: 298: 293: 286: 284: 282: 278: 275: 271: 267: 263: 259: 255: 251: 247: 239: 235: 231: 230:Supreme Court 227: 223: 218: 214: 212: 208: 204: 200: 194: 192: 188: 187:desk openings 184: 180: 176: 175:Supreme Court 172: 168: 164: 163:throne speech 157: 153: 149: 145: 141: 136: 129: 127: 125: 124:Supreme Court 121: 114: 110: 107: 104: 101: 96: 91: 87: 84: 81: 78: 73: 71: 66: 62: 58: 55: 47: 45: 43: 39: 35: 31: 27: 18: 852:, retrieved 846: 839: 827:. 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Index


Parliament of Canada
governor general
monarch
same in the United Kingdom
governor general
drops the writ
federal election
royal proclamation
Constitution Act, 1867
governor general's deputies
Supreme Court

viceregal consort
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone
Centre Block
20th Canadian Parliament
Canada was still technically at war
throne speech
Senate
Supreme Court
lieutenant governors
King's Privy Council for Canada
speaker of the Senate
usher of the Black Rod
members of Parliament
speaker for that chamber

Elizabeth II
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

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