Dissolution of Parliament

Prepared by Nancy McCormack, B.A., M.A., M.L.I.S., J.D., LL.M., of the Ontario Bar and Melanie R. Bueckert, LL.B., LL.M., of the Manitoba Bar—Updated by Helen M. Hall, B.A. (Hons.), LL.B., of the Ontario Bar: July 2019

Parliament and Legislature — I — Parliament of Canada — 4 — Meeting, Adjournment, Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament — (e) — Dissolution

Click here to access the CED and Canadian Abridgment titles for this excerpt on westlaw Canada.

I.4.(e) — Dissolution

§233 Parliament is dissolved either by proclamation of the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister or by the expiration of its term of five years although the Constitution allows for the continuation of Parliament beyond five years during real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection so long as no more than one third of the Members of the House are not opposed. Dissolution brings an end to a Parliament; the House no longer exists as an assembly. All of its business is terminated, and a general election must follow.