What do you mean by this word?
Glossary of government terms

Here is a partial definition for some of the common terms used in government. Government is not nearly as technical as information technology or many other specialized businesses, but it does have some terms that most people don't use every day. Here is a list of some of the terms you may need to know to understand government in Ontario a little better.

Backbencher

An MPP who is not a party leader or a cabinet minister. Normally, the cabinet ministers sit around the Premier, or around their party leader. These seats are usually at the front of their side: to the Speaker's right for the government, and to the Speaker's left for the opposition. Those who are not in cabinet occupy the remaining seats. These seats are normally toward the back of their party's side of the Legislature, and hence the nickname backbencher for these members.

Cabinet

Also called the government's "Executive Council." The cabinet is composed of elected members who are called "Ministers." Each minister looks after (normally) one portfolio, or area of responsibility within government. For example, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health are each elected members (MPPs) and also serve in the cabinet of the provincial government.

Caucus

Each party's elected members constitute that party's caucus. Just as there may be, for example, two or three classes in the same grade at the same school, a legislature is composed of caucuses of the different parties represented. In the Ontario Legislature, there are three caucuses: the government caucus (Liberals); the opposition caucus (Progressive Conservative) and the third-party caucus (New Democratic).

Chair

The head of a committee. MPPs are named by their parties as members of the Legislature's various standing committees, and each standing committee elects one member to be the "Chair." By convention, which means a generally-accepted practice or tradition, some committees are chaired by government members, and others are chaired by opposition members. For example, the Standing Committee on Estimates and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts are normally chaired by members of the opposition party.

Debate

The structured process by which legislation and other topics before the Legislature are discussed. In general, each recognized party received a 'block' of time during which they may discuss the bill before the Legislature. The order, or 'rotation,' is normally to start with the official opposition, then any other recognized party in order, and finally with the government. After each such 'block' of time, each party may add a two-minute comment, which also flows in the rotation above. After each round of comments, the MPP speaking to the point may sum up, and comment on the comments he or she received.

Hansard

The Hansard Reporting and Interpretation Services record every word of every debate in the Legislative Assembly and in Standing Committees. The Ontario Legislative Assembly web site allows you to search for a debate or a specific MPP and read what (s)he said during a debate.

Legislative Assembly

The name of the organization that facilitates the act of governing in Ontario. An elected member is called a Member of Provincial Parliament in the province of Ontario. In most other provinces, an elected member at the provincial level is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly. (Note from Bob on this: "I think it makes more sense to call a provincial elected member of the Legislative Assembly a 'Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA].") In Quebec, a provincial elected member is called a Member of the National Assembly.

Party

The name for a group of elected members from the same political affiliation. For example, the group of elected members who govern Ontario is the Liberal Party. The group, or team, of elected members who form the official opposition in Ontario is the Progressive Conservative party. A third party, the New Democratic Party also has the requisite eight seats for official party status. See Results of all Ontario elections since 1971.

Sitting

The name given to the time during which the Legislature is in session. For example, the Legislative 'sitting' begins at 1:30 p.m. promptly while the Legislature is in session, and continues until the House is adjourned for the day.

Standing Committee

A group of MPPs representing all three parties. Each committee has a specific mandate, and sits to consider both government and private members' bills, usually after second reading, and sometimes after first reading in the Legislature. For a list of standing committees, the minutes of past meetings and agendas of upcoming meetings, see the Ontario Legislative Assembly web site.

Writ Period

The term during which an election takes place. The 2007 election was called on September 10, 2007, and took place on October 10, 2007. This month is called the Writ Period.