Parliament

Overview of Parliamentarism: The Difference between the Parliament and the Government

This is an important distinction in the Canadian political system. To be a member of Parliament is not the same as being a member of the Government, although all members of the Government are also members of Parliament.
Parliament

The Parliament is the name given to the two houses of Parliament, the House of Commons and the Senate. It includes all the elected members in the House of Commons and the appointed members of the Senate, from all parties, government and opposition.

According to the Canadian Constitution, the Canadian Parliament also includes the Queen. Section 17 states that 'There shall be One Parliament for Canada, consisting of the Queen, an Upper House styled the Senate, and the House of Commons.'
Government

The Government comprises the group of ministers, led by the Prime Minister, who form the executive government of the nation, also called the Cabinet.

Some examples

• Stephen Harper is a member of Parliament (Calgary Southwest, House of Commons), as well as a member of the Government (Prime Minister).
• Michael Ignatieff is a member of Parliament (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, House of Commons), but is not a member of the Government. He is the Leader of the Opposition.
• Senator Marjorie LeBreton? is a member of Parliament (Senate, Ontario) as well as a member of the Government. She is Leader of the Government in the Senate (Conservative).
• Senator James Cowan is a member of Parliament (Senate, Nova Scotia) but is not a member of the government. He is the Opposition Whip in the Senate (Liberal).
• Mervin Tweed is a member of Parliament (Brandon-Souris, House of Commons), but is not a member of the Government. However, as a Conservative MP, he is a member of the governing party (Conservative) as well as a member of the Conservative caucus.
• André Arthur is a member of Parliament (Portneuf-Jacques Cartier, House of Commons), but is not a member of the Government. As an Independent, he is not a member of any political party.

Hence, members of Parliament wear different "hats". They are even paid in accordance with the "hats" they wear. For example, Stephen Harper is paid a salary as the member for Calgary Southwest, but earns extra money because he is also Prime Minister. Similarly, Michael Ignatieff is paid a salary as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, but earns extra money because he is also the Leader of the Opposition.