It is the universal dilemma of the researcher in the Digital Age: suspecting the information you seek is accessible online, but not knowing where or how to find that information. While not all of the Hansard transcripts (Debates) of the Parliament of Canada and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario are available online, a significant portion has been digitized and made freely available on public websites. This blog post is meant to act as a quick guide to finding Hansard online.
Federal
1867-1996
Canadian Parliamentary Historical Resources
This portal provides digitized versions of the debates, journals, and selected committee documentation of the Senate and the House of Commons from the 1st Session of the 1st Parliament (1867) until the end of the 1st Session of the 35th Parliament (1996).
1994-Present
Parliament of Canada Website
House of Commons
“House Publications” – View sitting dates by browsing through the House of Common sessions from the beginning of the 1st Session of the 35th Parliament (1994) onwards (current day). Also provides access to the Journals and Order and Notice Papers for the same time period.
Senate
“Debates of the Hansard (Senate)”– View sitting dates by browsing through the Senate sessions from the beginning of the 2nd Session of the 35th Parliament (1996) onwards (current day). Also provides access to the Journals and Order and Notice Papers for the same time period.
This research tools provides detailed information about federal bills, including direct links to debates of the Senate and House of Commons for all bills starting with the 37th Parliament in 2001.
Ontario
To find Ontario debates online see our post, Ontario Hansard Then and Now.
Know How 