About Chamber Business
What is "chamber business"? This refers to any business - questions,
motions or bills - which is placed before the Senate or the House of Commons for
consideration.
Debates. The printed verbatim record of the proceedings in the Senate or
the House published after each sitting, and based on the edited and corrected text of
the “blues”. The Debates are often identified as "Hansard" which is the name of the
British family originally responsible for the transcription of the proceedings of the
House of Commons in the United Kingdom.
Journals. The official record of the decisions and other transactions of
the Senate or the House. It is based on the scroll prepared by the Table Officers
and is published the day following each sitting day. At the end of a session it is
issued in bound form.
Order Paper. The Order Paper is the official agenda of the Senate and the
House of Commons. Both Chambers publish this document for each sitting day which
lists all items that may be brought forward in their respective Chamber on that
particular day.
Notice Paper. Both the Senate and the House of Commons publish a Notice
Paper for each sitting day which presents all notices of bills, motions and questions
which Senators, Ministers or Private Members may wish to bring before their respective
Chamber.
Status of House Business. A publication of the House which provides
cumulative information on the status of all bills, motions and written questions
brought forward during the session.
Progress of legislation. The Progress of Legislation is a document that
tracks the progress of all government, public and private bills introduced in the
Senate during the current session of Parliament. It is prepared in table format and
is updated daily. Included are the dates at which the bills pass through various
stages, such as 1st reading, 2nd reading, referral to committee, and so on.
The Debates (Hansard ) Index is the key to information about what is said
by Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. The Index to the Debates is
subject-based and extensively cross-referenced. It provides general subject analysis
as well as subject breakdown under the names of Members of Parliament indicating those
matters discussed by them in the Chamber. The Index is updated daily throughout the
session.
The Journals Index is the key to information contained in the minutes of
meetings of the House of Commons. The Index to the Journals is subject-based and
extensively cross-referenced. It includes references to every item that is tabled or
introduced in the House of Commons. The Index is updated daily throughout the session.
List of Reports and Returns. This List brings together in one convenient
location the reports and other documents that, according to federal legislation, must
be tabled in the House of Commons. It is based on the Statutes of Canada in force on
January 29, 2001. The List does not attempt to reflect the day-to-day proceedings of
the House and does not, therefore, indicate whether a particular document has in fact
been tabled in a timely manner. Until Parliament has repealed the statutory provision
that requires a document to be tabled, the document remains on the List.
|