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Model Parliament Unit
Simulation Scripts for the Senate
Royal Assent
Royal Assent is the approval by a representative of the Crown of a bill passed in
identical terms by the House of Commons and the Senate making it an Act of
Parliament.
Since 2002, Royal Assent may be signified in two ways: first, by a traditional ceremony
in the Senate Chamber; and second, by a written declaration which takes place at either
Rideau Hall (if the Governor General signifies assent) or at the Supreme Court (if the
Deputy of the Governor General signifies assent).
The following script is for the traditional ceremony in the Senate Chamber.
Simulation
Key Players: Governor General, Speaker of the Senate, Senators, Clerk of the Senate,
Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Usher of the Black Rod, Mace Bearer, Speaker of the
House of Commons, Speaker’s Page, Members of the House of Commons, Sergeantat-Arms, Clerk of the House of Commons, Deputy Clerk of the House of Commons,
members of the public (as observers)
Speaker:
[Stand.] "Is it your pleasure, Honourable
Senators, that the Senate do now adjourn
during pleasure to await the arrival of the
Honourable Deputy of His/Her Excellency
the Governor General?"
[The Speaker pauses a moment in case a Senator should have some business to bring
before the Senate. If no business if forthcoming, the Speaker bows to the right and to
the left, descends from the dais, all rise, bows to the Chair and proceeds to a seat to
the right of the Throne, to await the arrival of the Honourable Deputy of Her/His
Excellency the Governor General.]
[All sit.]
[The Honourable Deputy of His/Her Excellency the Governor General arrives.]
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Mace
Bearer:
"À l'ordre – Order."
All:
[All stand.]
This page is from the Model Parliament Unit teaching resource. Permission is granted for teachers to reproduce
the materials for classroom use. For information on this resource, please contact the Library of Parliament
Information Service at 1-866-599-4999 or check www.parl.gc.ca/education.
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Governor
General :
" Veuillez vous asseoir – Pray be seated."
All:
[All sit.]
Speaker:
[Rise and bow.]
"Huissier du bâton noir : Rendez-vous à la
chambre des communes et informez-la
que c'est le désir de l'honorable suppléant
de Son Excellence le/la Gouverneur(e)
général(e) que les communes se rendent
immédiatement auprès de lui à la
Chambre du Sénat."
"Usher of the Black Rod: You will proceed
to the House of Commons and acquaint
that House that it is the desire of the
Honourable Deputy of His/Her Excellency
the Governor General that they attend
Him/Her immediately in the Senate
Chamber."
[The Usher of the Black Rod proceeds to the House of Commons.]
[The members of the House of Commons arrive, preceded by the Black Rod. The Black
Rod moves to a position to the left of the Throne.]
Black Rod:
"À l'ordre – Order."
Deputy
Clerk :
[Rise.] "Le Sénat et la Chambre des
Communes ont adopté les projets de loi
suivants qu'ils prient humblement Votre
Honneur de bien vouloir sanctionner."
[Reads title of bills in French.]
"May it please Your Honour:
"The Senate and the House of Commons
have passed the following bills, to which
they humbly request Your Honour's
Assent."
[Reads title of bills in English.]
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Library of
Parliament
This page is from the Model Parliament Unit teaching resource. Permission is granted for teachers to reproduce
the materials for classroom use. For information on this resource, please contact the Library of Parliament
Information Service at 1-866-599-4999 or check www.parl.gc.ca/education.
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[The Deputy Clerk bows and resumes seat.]
Clerk:
[Rise and hold bills aloft.] "In Her Majesty's
name, the Honourable the Deputy of
His/Her Excellency the Governor General
doth Assent to these bills."
"Au nom de Sa Majesté, l'honorable
suppléant de Son Excellence le/la
Gouverneur(e) général(e) sanctionne ces
Projets de loi."
[The Clerk bows and resumes seat.]
[The House of Commons withdraws.]
[The Black Rod moves to a position in front of the Honourable the Deputy of His/Her
Excellency the Governor General and bows. All stand. The procession then proceeds
out of the Chamber.]
[The Speaker moves to the chair at the foot of the Throne, bows to the chair, mounts
the dais, and bows to the right and left.]
Speaker:
"La séance est reprise – The sitting is
resumed." [Sit.]
[If there is no further business before the Senate, the Speaker adjourns the House.]
Speaker:
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"Since the proceedings on royal assent
are now completed, pursuant to the order
adopted yesterday, I declare the Senate
continued until (date) at (time). The Senate so
decreeing."
This page is from the Model Parliament Unit teaching resource. Permission is granted for teachers to reproduce
the materials for classroom use. For information on this resource, please contact the Library of Parliament
Information Service at 1-866-599-4999 or check www.parl.gc.ca/education.
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