The Canadian House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. Members of the Canadian House of Commons are elected for limited terms, holding office until Parliament is dissolved. Each member is elected by, and represents, an electoral district. The House of Commons was established in 1867, when the British North America Act 1867 created the Dominion of Canada. In practice, the House of Commons (the lower house) holds far more power than the Senate (the upper house), and is by far the dominant House of Parliament. Although the approval of both Houses is necessary for legislation, the Senate very rarely rejects bills passed by the Commons. Moreover, the Government of Canada is responsible solely to the House of Commons; the Prime Minister stays in office only as long as he or she retains the support of the Lower House.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_House_of_Commons

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1598: Admiral Yi Sun Sin's Korean navy defeated the Japanese fleet in the Battle of Noryang Point, the final naval battle of the Seven Year War. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Noryang_Point)

1653: The Protectorate: Oliver Cromwell (pictured) became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell)

1773: Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty attended the Boston Tea Party. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party)

1971: Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered, ending the Indo-Pakistani War and the Bangladesh Liberation War. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1971)

1989: The Romanian Revolution began as a protest in the city of Timişoara against an attempt by the government to evict dissident priest László Tőkés. Rioting ensued. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Revolution_of_1989)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"Fear can make you do more wrong than hate or jealousy. If you're afraid you don't commit yourself to life completely; fear makes you always, always hold something back." -- Philip K. Dick (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Philip_K._Dick)