Organization of Proceedings

Proceedings in the National Assembly are conducted according to a calendar divided into Legislatures, sessions, sitting periods and sittings. A sitting generally has two parts, Routine Proceedings and Orders of the Day. Each of these parts is reserved for specific items of business.

The parliamentary calendar may be interrupted by prorogation or dissolution.

Strong Symbols and Strict Rules

Québec’s Parliament is rooted in British parliamentary tradition, as evidenced by the many symbols that have their place in the Assembly’s proceedings.

The debates in the Assembly follows strict rules of procedure. The Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) must also obey rules of conduct and observe decorum.

Support Services

The Assembly’s personnel help the 125 MNAs with preparations for each sitting and assist them during the sittings. To prepare each sitting, report what was said during the proceedings and keep a record of the decisions made, the Assembly puts out three publications: the Order Paper and Notices, the Journal des débats (or Hansard), and the Votes and Proceedings.

Transcription and Broadcasting

Each sitting of the Assembly is taped and the audio recording is used to produce a word-for-word transcription, which is then published in the Journal des débats. All sittings are broadcast live on television on the National Assembly channel, the Canal de l'Assemblée nationale (French only), and on the Internet through the Audio and Video section of the Assembly’s website.

For more on the Assembly’s sitting schedule and on attending a sitting