Introduction

• Author: Steven Chaplin
• Pages: 15-16

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Introduction

Canada is a constitutional Westminster democracy; as such, Parlia-

ment is at the centre of its constitutional system. Parliament is not

merely a political body. Although often considered only as a legis-

lature, it is more than that. In addition to legislating, it provides

legitimacy to government, holds the government to account for its

actions, approves all taxation and spending, and inquires into and

debates all matters of public importance.

Although the roots of Canada’s Parliament are f‌irmly planted

in British history, it has developed and evolved to meet the unique

conditions of Canada. Parliament here must operate in a country

originally conceptualized as one based on two languages, cultures,

and legal systems, but that now strives to recognize the Indigenous

peoples who lived on the land recognized as Canada, long before

there was a Canada, with their own languages, cultures, and systems

of government. Parliament must also function as part of a federal

state, with provinces that have matured since Confederation in .

As a modern state, Canada also strives to recognize the import-

ance of individual rights and freedoms which, at times, are dicult

to reconcile with the collective nature of parliamentary democracy.

It is also a fact that Canada is sometimes seen as living in the

shadow of the United States. Much of the news, cultural inf‌luence,