Parliament is the general name given to representative
assemblies
in Canada. In British
Columbia it refers to the
legislative assembly
. These bodies
make the laws which regulate our social and economic life and
provide the authority for government action. Note that
the Parliament of British Columbia comprises the legislative
assembly and the
lieutenant governor
acting in the
name of the
Crown
; laws cannot be made without
the assent of the lieutenant governor. The
executive
can also delay or defer the
date on which
legislation
comes into force. This
arrangement strengthens the already considerable power of the
government
of the day to control the
process of law making. See also
parliamentary system
.