Parliament of Canada

The Parliament of Canada is the bicameral federal legislative assembly of the Canadian Republic, representing the legislative branch of the Canadian federal government. It consists of the Senate (the upper chamber) and the House of Commons (the lower chamber). Both chambers sit at Parliament Hill in central Ottawa, the federal capital of Canada. By constitutional convention, the House of Commons is dominant, with the Senate rarely opposing its will; similarly, the Prime Minister of Canada (the head of government) is chosen by the House of Commons, and is therefore traditionally the leader of the party or coalition with a majority of seats in the House of Commons. However, the Senate may initiate certain bills or proceedings. Bills passed by Parliament are officially ratified and signed into law by the President of Canada, who retains the power of veto (although the presidential veto is very rarely used), and the president also officially appoints the prime minister on advice of the House of Commons; the president's role as head of state is otherwise largely ceremonial, as Canadian politics function within the framework of a parliamentary republic.