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More than any other segment of the parliamentary day, the 45-minute Question Period serves as a daily snapshot of national political life and is closely followed by Members, the press and the public, each sitting day of the House. Held at 2:15 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, it is this part of the parliamentary day where the government is held accountable for its administrative policies and the conduct of its Ministers, both individually and collectively.[2] As has been noted, “Question Period is a free‑wheeling affair, with tremendous spontaneity and vitality. The main topics raised are often those on the front pages of the major newspapers or raised on national television news the previous evening”.[3] Any Member can ask a question, although the time is set aside almost exclusively for the opposition parties to confront the government and hold it accountable for its actions, and to highlight the perceived inadequacies of the government. “Question Period serves the opposition and to a lesser extent the government well in its present form …. It is not subtle or clever but it is effective in making points—for both sides.”[4]
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