Provincial Parliament

When MPPs assemble on the appointed day for the opening of the new Provincial Parliament, the Constitution requires that their first item of business be the election of a Speaker.

The vote, which is presided over by the clerk of the Legislative Assembly—the electoral moderator—is conducted by preferential secret ballot. Once the votes are tallied and one of the candidates obtains an absolute majority of the votes, the results and successful candidate are announced to the House.

The first major test of any government is their Speech from the Throne, which lays out their plans of what they want to do during a term. After the election of the speaker is complete, a Speech from the Throne written by the government and delivered by the Lieutenant Governor will go up for debate and vote.

Each week in the Provincial Parliament, there are two "sittings" of business moving through the Legislative Assembly. The first runs from Monday to Thursday, and the second runs from Thursday to Sunday. Each sitting, all items currently being considered the house are moved to their next stage, and a certain number of "slots" are available to move items.

Every Monday sitting, there is a Question Period held for the Cabinet. Any MPP or non-MPP can ask questions to Cabinet Ministers, the time is set aside to confront the government and hold it accountable for its actions, and to highlight the perceived inadequacies of the government.

Every Thursday sitting, Any MPP or non-MPP can make a statement the House on virtually any matter of international, provincial or local concern. Additionally, Ministers may make an additional statement for announcements or statements on government policy or matters of provincial interest.

• These are written to create new laws.

• Can be amended by MPPs in "Committee of the Whole".

• They have to be passed through the Legislative Assembly to become Statutes (Laws).

• These are written for the House to give an opinion on something, and are typically not binding.

• Can be amended by MPPs (except opposition day motions).