Member of Parliament

A Member of Parliament is a member of the HOUSE OF COMMONS elected in single-member constituencies. Predominantly from densely populated areas, as a group they have a high level of education and many are lawyers. They are mostly male and most are middle-aged. Most are elected on a party "label" but some may sit as independents. In recent years few have had prior experience, politically, in public office, although many have had local officeholding experience. Their careers are usually short-lived, because of electoral vicissitudes. Policymaking is the domain of Cabinet and the senior public service; MPs as a group have less effect in policy formation, although some MPs claim a strong voice in caucus and in Commons committees. Part of an MP's representative role is responding to the grievances of constituents. There are currently 308 MPs but the number will be increased due to REDISTRIBUTION after each decennial census.

Author ROBERT J. JACKSON

Links to Other Sites
Senators and Members Parliament of Canada
An online guide to current senators and Members of Parliament in Ottawa. Includes brief biographies, notes about party affiliations and roles on committees, and other pertinent details regarding their work in Parliament. From the Parliament of Canada website.

First Women in Provincial and Territorial Legislatures
See biographies and related resources about distinguished women political pioneers in Canada. Produced in recognition of Women's History Month. From Library and Archives Canada.

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada (1895)
This website features an interactive map of the federal electoral boundaries in Canada as they existed in 1895. From Library and Archives Canada.

Speaker of the House of Commons
This collection of Speakers’ biographies since Confederation provides an insight into the duties and experiences of my predecessors. From the Library of Parliament.

How Canadians Govern Themselves
See an online version of Eugene Forsey's very readable book about Canada's parliamentary system of government. Also compares Canadian and American forms of government. Includes biographical notes on the author. From the Parliament of Canada.

Compendium
"The Compendium" describes the principal rules that govern the operation of the House of Commons and its committees. From the Parliament of Canada website.