Bill

A bill is a proposed law. Before they become laws, bills:

• Have to go through three readings in the legislature
• Usually go through a committee process, where the proposed bill is debated and amended
• Receive Royal Assent

Budget

The budget is the government's financial plan (how it plans to spend money). It's prepared in the spring of each year.

Cabinet

The Cabinet is made up of the ministers and the Premier.

The Ministers:

• Are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor on the recommendation of the Premier
• Represent government ministries
• Are usually chosen from MPPs of the party in power

The Cabinet:

• Advises the Premier
• Plans government policies and supervises all ministries

Candidate

A person who runs in an election.

Citizen

From the Latin word "civitas," meaning city. A citizen:

• Is a person who lives in a province or country
• Has certain rights and responsibilities

Constituency

An electoral district. There are 103 constituencies in Ontario with an MPP elected from each one. A constituency is also known as a riding.

Democracy

Comes from the Greek words "demos" meaning people and "kratos" meaning strength. It means "government by the people," and is a system of government where the people have the power and elect representatives to exercise their power.

Election

The process where people choose a person to act as their representative (for example, MPP).

Government

The political party with the most MPPs elected usually forms the government. The government of a province, state or country makes and oversees laws.

Hansard

The written record of daily events in the legislature and at committee meetings.

House

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario. There are 103 members, including the Speaker. Also means the Legislative Chamber, the room where the Legislative Assembly meets.

Legislation (or Law)

A piece of legislation or a law is a bill that has passed all three readings in the house and has received the Lieutenant-Governor's Royal Assent. Laws are:

• Principles that control people's actions
• Made by the government and enforced by the courts

Legislative Assembly

The elected body that debates and makes law. It is sometimes referred to as the legislature, or the house.

Legislature

The government. Also known as parliament, the house and the Legislative Assembly.

Lieutenant-Governor

The person who is the provincial representative of the Queen. The Lieutenant-Governor opens and closes the legislature and gives Royal Assent to the bills they pass.

Mace

The ceremonial staff used in the legislature. It is a symbol of the authority of the Speaker.

Majority Government

When the total number of MPPs belonging to the party in power is more than the total number of opposition  MPPs.

Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)

A person elected by the people in a particular constituency to represent them in the provincial parliament.

Ministry

Specific government departments such as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Transportation. Cabinet ministers are responsible for and oversee these specific government departments.

Minority Government

A minority government is formed when one party does not have the majority of MPPs in the house. That party may form a minority government with the support of another party or some members of another party.

Official Opposition

The party with the second highest number of MPPs.

Political Party

A team of people brought together by common political and economic beliefs.

Politics

From the Greek word "politikos," meaning the art or science of government.

Premier

The Premier is an MPP who is also the leader of the political party that the people of Ontario elected into power.

Question Period

Question Period happens in the legislature and lasts for an hour. It's the time when opposition MPPs and government MPPs ask questions about what the government is doing.

Readings

The three stages a bill passes through before it becomes a law. During the first reading, a bill is introduced. During the second and third readings, it's debated.

Riding

See Constituency

Royal Assent

When the Lieutenant-Governor approves and signs a bill on behalf of the Queen. After three readings and Royal Assent, the bill officially becomes law.

Session

The series of meetings in the legislature that make up a parliament. Sessions may be divided into spring and fall periods, called sittings.

Speaker

Members of parliament (MPPs) vote to select the Speaker in a secret ballot after the election. The speaker is the "referee" of the legislature and makes sure MPPs follow the rules.

Speaker's Procession

Each meeting of the house begins with the entrance of the Speaker. The Sergeant-at-Arms enters the Legislative Chamber in front of the Speaker, carrying the mace, the symbol of the Speaker's authority. The Speaker is followed by the Clerk, the Clerk's Assistant and usually two Pages.

Speech from the Throne

The speech delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor for each new session of parliament. This speech outlines the government's plans.