Section 5 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Under section 5, a sitting of the Parliament of Canada must be held at least once every year.

Section 5 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a part of the Constitution of Canada, and the last of three democratic rights in the Charter. Its role is to establish a rule regarding how frequently the Parliament of Canada and the legislatures of the provinces and territories of Canada must meet. This section is thus meant to reflect and constitutionally guarantee a "basic democratic principle" that "a government must explain its actions to the people."[1]

The section reads,

5. There shall be a sitting of Parliament and of each legislature at least once every twelve months.

  1. ^ "Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms". Human Rights Program, Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on 7 November 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2005.