Research publications

A general election is followed by the opening of a new session of the Parliament of Canada, marking the beginning of a new parliamentary cycle. This HillNote provides an overview of the parliamentary ceremonies and procedures involved in the opening of a new Parliament, including those that occur prior to and following the Speech from the Throne.

In today’s complex world, the blurred lines between domestic and foreign policy regularly draw Canadian parliamentarians onto the world stage. Increasingly, they speak directly with their international counterparts on issues of global and national importance. In Canada, diplomatic engagement has been a long-standing dimension of parliamentary activities, generally with three goals in mind: exchanging ideas and best practices; helping to inform collective policy and action; and promoting democratic values and Canadian interests abroad.