“Prorogue” comes from the Latin: pro, forward, and rogare, ask. Millions of Canadians have lived long and happy lives without needing to know the word. No longer.

In an effort to explain just what we could face as early as this evening, The Hook offers this official definition of prorogation from the House of Commons website.

Here’s an excerpt from the “detailed article” that accompanies the definition:

During a period of prorogation (or recess), the Speaker, the Prime Minister, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries remain in office and all Members of the House retain their full rights and privileges.

The principal effect of ending a session by prorogation is to end business. All government bills that have not received Royal Assent prior to prorogation cease to exist; committee activity also ceases. Thus, no committee can sit after a prorogation.

In order for government bills to be proceeded with in a new session, they must be reintroduced as new bills or they may be reinstated, if the House agrees to this.