Canada
Structure
Data on parliamentary sessions, parliamentary committees and parliamentary groups.
Sessions
Number of ordinary sessions of parliament per year
Notes
the length of a session of parliament varies. there is not a specified number of sitting days per session or a specified number of sessions per parliament. it may be noted, however, that the constitution requires that parliament meet, at a minimum, once per calendar year. in practice, parliament typically sits for approximately 27 weeks per year.
Dates of parliamentary sessions
| Parliament is usually in ordinary session | Extraordinary sessions can be held | |
|---|---|---|
| January | x | |
| February | x | |
| March | x | |
| April | x | |
| May | x | |
| June | x | x |
| July | ||
| August | ||
| September | x | |
| October | x | |
| November | x | |
| December | x |
Number of days parliament met in plenary, per year
95 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
All languages recognized in the constitution can be used in plenary meetings
Answer “Yes” includes the countries where only one language is recognized by the Constitution.
Yes
Committees
Number of permanent committees
This number does not include sub-committees or joint committees in bicameral parliaments.
Number of permanent joint committees in bicameral parliaments
2
Parliamentary groups
Parliamentary groups are recognized in the parliamentary rules
“Parliamentary groups” are the primary means by which political parties organize themselves in parliament. They may also be known as “party groups”, “caucuses” or “fractions”. They are different from all-party groups on specific issues, or inter-parliamentary friendship groups.
Number of parliamentary groups
4 (2021)
See historical data for this field.
Minimum number of members required to form a parliamentary group
Not applicable. There is no minimum number of members to form a parliamentary group
No
Percentage of members required to form a parliamentary group
The percentage is calculated by dividing the minimum number of members required to form a parliamentary group by the statutory number of members of the parliament/chamber.
Independent members can jointly form a parliamentary group
Yes
Several parties can jointly form a parliamentary group
Yes
Relevant provisions about parliamentary groups in the parliamentary rules of procedure
Several rules of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons pertain to the rights and privileges of parliamentary groups according to their proportion within the House.