Maple News reports that Canada’s Parliament officially reconvened on November 22, launching a new legislative session following the summer break and the 44th federal election. This marks a return to formal governance, with Members of Parliament (MPs) set to resume debates, introduce legislation, and represent citizens in the House of Commons.
Before Parliament can proceed with regular business, two key ceremonial events take place: the election of the Speaker of the House and the delivery of the Speech from the Throne. These long-standing traditions set the stage for the government’s legislative agenda.
The first order of the day is electing the Speaker of the House of Commons, who is responsible for maintaining order and overseeing parliamentary procedure. MPs vote by secret ballot, and in a symbolic gesture, the newly elected Speaker is traditionally ‘dragged’ to their seat—a custom that harkens back to historical times when the role was perilous under the British monarchy.
Following this, the Usher of the Black Rod delivers a formal summons from the Senate, inviting MPs to attend the Senate Chamber. However, before the government’s agenda can be introduced, MPs must first have a Speaker in place. Once the Speaker is chosen and the House is organized, the Governor General delivers the Speech from the Throne.
This year, the throne speech is being delivered by Governor General Mary Simon, who made history as the first Indigenous person appointed to the role. The speech outlines the priorities of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, focusing on guiding the country through the final stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and building a stronger, more inclusive future for Canadians.
Immigration policy is once again expected to feature prominently. The 2020 throne speech emphasized immigration as a key driver of economic recovery and promised to simplify pathways for those who contribute significantly to Canada. In that spirit, the government later launched a one-time immigration stream for essential workers and international student graduates.
Despite these efforts, Canada continues to grapple with a significant immigration backlog, with nearly 1.8 million applications awaiting processing as of late 2021. The throne speech rarely delivers detailed policy announcements, but it sets the tone and direction for what is to come. More specific plans and policy changes are typically unveiled later through ministerial mandate letters.
The opening day and its procedures symbolize the blend of tradition and modernity in Canadian governance. As Parliament resumes, all eyes will be on how the government translates its vision into actionable policies that address pressing national issues, from public health and economic recovery to immigration reform.