Question Period (Canada)
Introduction
Question Period is a significant part of the parliamentary process in Canada. It is a time when Members of Parliament (MPs) can ask questions of government ministers, including the Prime Minister, about their respective departments or the conduct of government as a whole. This tradition is a key aspect of the accountability of government to Parliament and ultimately, to the Canadian people.
Historical Background
The practice of questioning the government in Parliament has its roots in the early days of the British House of Commons. In Canada, the formalization of this practice into a "Question Period" took place in the 1960s. Prior to this, questions could be asked of ministers at any time during a parliamentary session, but there was no dedicated period for this purpose. The introduction of a formal Question Period was intended to provide a more structured and efficient way for MPs to hold the government to account.
Structure and Procedure
Question Period in Canada takes place every sitting day in both the House of Commons and the Senate. In the House of Commons, it lasts for 45 minutes, beginning at 2:15 p.m. (or at 11:15 a.m. on Fridays). In the Senate, Question Period lasts for 30 minutes and usually starts at 3:30 p.m.
The Speaker of the House or the Speaker of the Senate presides over Question Period. The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order and decorum, deciding who may speak, and ensuring that the rules of the House or Senate are followed.
Questions can be asked by any MP or Senator who is not a member of the government. The questions are typically directed at the Prime Minister or a particular minister, and must relate to the responsibilities of the person to whom they are directed. The government is represented by the Prime Minister and other ministers, who answer the questions on behalf of the government.
The rules of the House of Commons and the Senate require that questions and answers be brief and concise, and that they deal with matters of public importance. Questions must not be hypothetical, argumentative, or contain statements of fact, and they must not seek an opinion or legal advice. Similarly, answers must be relevant to the question and must not provoke debate.
Role and Significance
Question Period is an important part of the parliamentary process in Canada. It provides a forum for the opposition and other non-government MPs to hold the government to account. It also provides a means for the government to explain its policies and actions to Parliament and the public.
Question Period is often the most watched part of the parliamentary day, and it is widely covered by the media. This high level of visibility contributes to its role as a forum for political debate and a means of communicating with the public.
However, Question Period is also often criticized for its confrontational nature, the quality of the questions and answers, and the level of decorum. Despite these criticisms, it remains a key part of the parliamentary process.
Criticisms and Reforms
Over the years, there have been many criticisms of Question Period. Some critics argue that it is too confrontational and that it does not contribute to constructive debate or good governance. Others argue that the questions and answers are often not substantive, and that they are more about political posturing than about holding the government to account.
There have been several attempts to reform Question Period to address these criticisms. These have included proposals to lengthen the time for questions and answers, to allow for more substantive questions and answers, and to improve the level of decorum.
Despite these attempts at reform, many of the criticisms of Question Period persist. However, it remains a central part of the parliamentary process in Canada, and it continues to play a key role in the accountability of government to Parliament and the public.
See Also
