39th Canadian Parliament

The initial seat distribution of the 39th Canadian Parliament

The 39th Canadian Parliament is the current Parliament of Canada, and has been in session since April 3, 2006. The membership was set by the 2006 federal election on January 23, 2006, and it has changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections. The longest it could run, barring war or national emergency, is until October 19, 2009 due to Bill C-16, passed by this Parliament. Historically, however, minority governments in Canada such as the current one have rarely lasted more than two years.

It is controlled by a Conservative Party minority, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the 28th Canadian Ministry, which assumed power on February 6, 2006. The Official Opposition is the Liberal Party, led first by interim leader Bill Graham, and currently by Stéphane Dion.

The Speaker is Liberal Peter Milliken. Milliken was re-elected as the Speaker of the House for the 39th Parliament on April 3, 2006. The Speaker only votes in a tie, and, as Milliken is a Liberal, the Liberal caucus is effectively reduced by one. This, along with the defection of Wajid Khan to the Conservatives enables the Conservatives to pass legislation with the cooperation of any one of the three opposition parties: Liberals, Bloc Québécois, or New Democratic Party (NDP).

There has been only one session of the 39th Parliament:

Session	Start	End
1st	April 3 2006	ongoing

The party standings as elected and as of July 29, 2007, are on the table below. Since the election, four members of the House of Commons crossed the floor (two of whom had previously been forced to sit as an independent), one died, seven resigned, and two members have been elected in by-elections to fill vacancies (six vacancies remain to be filled). In that same period, two senators have died, six have resigned (four of whom had reached the mandatory retirement age), and one has been appointed to fill a vacancy (twelve vacancies remain). Step-by-step changes are listed in the Members section. See List of Canadian federal electoral districts for a list of the ridings in this parliament.

Affiliation		House Members		Senate Members
		2006 Election Results	As Of July 29, 2007	On Election Day 2006***	As Of July 10, 2007	Conservative Party of Canada	124	125	23	23	Liberal Party of Canada	103	97	67	61	Bloc Québécois	51	48	0	0	New Democratic Party	29	29	1*	0	Independent	1	3**	5	5	Progressive Conservative	0	0	4	3	Independent NDP	0	0	0	1
Total members		308	302	100	93	vacant	0	6	5	12
Total seats		308		105

*Lillian Dyck was officially designated as affiliated with the New Democratic Party, despite the fact that the party would not accept her affiliation (due to the party's position on the Senate). Her official affiliation did not change until October 31, 2006.
**André Arthur, Louise Thibault, and Bill Casey
***Members of the Canadian Senate are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and remain as Senators until the age of 75, even if the House of Commons has been dissolved or an election has been called.

Major events

Floor-crossing

Four members of parliament have crossed the floor since the election:

On February 6, 2006, David Emerson, elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway, crossed the floor to join Stephen Harper's cabinet as Minister of International Trade.

On January 5, 2007, Wajid Khan, elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville, crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party.

On February 6, 2007, Garth Turner, elected as a Conservative MP for Halton, moved to the Liberal caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since being suspended from the Tory caucus on October 18, 2006.

On June 26, 2007, Joe Comuzzi, elected as a Liberal MP for Thunder Bay—Superior North, moved to the Conservative caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since being suspended from the Liberal caucus on March 21, 2007.[1]

Liberal leadership

During the election campaign, the Liberal leader was then Prime Minister Paul Martin. After the election results were announced, Liberal leader Paul Martin announced his intention to resign, but did not indicate when, other than saying he would not lead the party into the next election. On February 1, the Liberal Party Caucus chose Bill Graham as parliamentary leader, meaning he served as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons until the election of Stéphane Dion as Liberal leader at the next Liberal Party leadership convention, held December 2 through December 3.

Some political observers had questioned whether Martin would have led the Liberals into an election had the Harper minority fallen in the first few months of the 39th Parliament.[2]. In 1979, Pierre Trudeau's Liberals lost to Joe Clark's Progressive Conservatives who only won a minority on May 22 of that year. The Clark minority was defeated less than seven months after on a confidence vote over the budget, which was much earlier than most observers had expected the government to fall. Trudeau had announced his resignation as leader of the Liberals on November 21, 1979; however in light of the collapse of the government on December 13, 1979, and the Liberal Party's not having chosen a replacement as leader, Trudeau was persuaded to change his mind, and he led the party into the 1980 election winning a majority government. Unlike Martin, Trudeau did not appoint an interim leader or withdraw from the day-to-day leadership of the party after announcing he would resign.

On March 18, 2006 Martin officially tendered his resignation as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. This move was widely seen as a move by Martin to stop any talk of him leading the party into the next election.

Five priorities

Prime Minister Harper has said he will move forward with his top five priorities from the campaign. At least four of these will require legislative action: the passage of a Federal Accountability Act in response to the sponsorship scandal; combating crime by creating more police officers and setting longer mandatory sentences; lowering the Goods & Services Tax to 6% (and eventually to 5%); giving $1,200 for parents per child under the age of 6. On December 6, 2006, another issue many expected to arise in the first session of parliament did, in fact, come to the fore, when the government introduced a motion calling "on the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage without affecting civil unions and while respecting existing same-sex marriages." [3] The next day, the House defeated the motion by a vote of 175 to 123, with six cabinet ministers voting against it, and Harper declared the issue settled.[4] (See Members of the 39th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage for more information.)

Resignations

On September 20, 2006 Liberal MP Joe Fontana (London North Centre) resigned to run in the London mayoralty election. Fontana was replaced in the riding by Liberal Glen Pearson after a by-election on November 27, 2006.

Liberal MP Jean Lapierre declared on January 11, 2007 that he would resign from the Liberal Party at the end of the month to pursue a career in television. This took place on January 28, leaving the Outremont district vacant. On July 28, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called a by-election for this riding, to be held on September 17, 2007.

On 21 February 2007, Yvan Loubier (representing Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot for the Bloc Québécois) resigned in order to run in the Quebec general election, 2007. Along with the Outremont riding, a by-election will take place in this riding on September 17, 2007.

One day later, on February 22, veteran Liberal MP and former Liberal Party of Canada interim leader Bill Graham announced that he would not seek reelection in the next federal election. On June 19 2007, Graham announced he would be resigning his Toronto Centre seat effective July 2, 2007, to allow former Ontario New Democratic Party Premier and Liberal Party leadership candidate Bob Rae to run in the riding.

On March 8, 2007, Liberal MP Jim Peterson announced that he would not be a candidate in the next federal election. Former Liberal Party leadership candidate Martha Hall Findlay was appointed as the Liberal candidate in his Willowdale riding. On June 20, 2007, Peterson followed Bill Graham's lead and announced his resignation from the House of Commons, effective July 12. Both Bill Graham and Jim Peterson resigned their seats early in the hope that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would be compelled to add those vacant seats to the scheduled September 17, 2007 by-elections in Quebec. On July 23, the Tory government announced that it would delay the Ontario by-elections so as not to overlap with the impending Ontario general election, 2007 scheduled for October 10, 2007.

Also in March 2007, Bloc Québécois MP and former BQ House Leader Michel Gauthier announced that he would not run in the next federal election, leaving his Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean seat vacant as of July 29, 2007. It is expected that this riding will join the Outremont and Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot by-elections on September 17, 2007.

On July 5, 2007, Liberal MP Stephen Owen announced he would resign his seat of Vancouver Quadra to accept a position at the University of British Columbia, his resignation effective July 27, 2007. [5]

On July 11, 2007, Liberal MP Gary Merasty announced he would resign his Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River seat on August 31, 2007, due to "family considerations". [6]

Major bills and motions

Important business of the 39th Parliament includes the following bills and motions. Note that not all of these bills have yet become law. Motions (excepting those which pass bills) have no effect in law. A complete lists of bills of the 1st session of the 39th Parliament is on the Parliament's website. The bills are divided into government bills, private member's bills, and private bills for both the House and the Senate.

Acts passed by 39th Parliament

Federal Accountability Act

Bill C-2, the Federal Accountability Act (officially "An Act providing for conflict of interest rules, restrictions on election financing and measures respecting administrative transparency, oversight and accountability"), received royal assent in the Senate on December 12, 2006, and is now becoming law. The act plans to reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political donations; create a five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their aides, and senior public servants; provide protection for whistleblowers; and enhancing the power for the Auditor General to follow the money spent by the government.

• full text of bill

2006 Canadian federal budget

Bill C-13 is The 2006 Canadian federal budget, which received royal assent in the Senate on June 22, 2006.

• full text of bill

Extending the Afghan War until 2009

A successful motion in the House to extend Canada's mission in Afghanistan by two years, until early 2009. The motion was supported by the Conservatives and 30 Liberal MPs, allowing it to narrowly pass 149-145 on May 17, 2006.

Softwood lumber deal

Bill C-24, the "Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006" put into effect the deal made between the Canadian and American governments regarding the longstanding softwood lumber debates. The Act received royal assent December 14, 2006.

• full text of bill

Quebecois nationhood

A successful motion in the House to recognise the Québécois as a nation within a united Canada. The motion was put forth by the Prime Minister in reaction to an announced motion by Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe that would recognise Quebec as a nation, but did not contain the words “in Canada” . The motion easily passed 266 to 16, with all party leaders voting in favour, including Duceppe

Reaffirming the Kyoto Protocol

A motion passed by the opposition parties (161 for to 115 against) on February 5, 2007 to reaffirm Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. The motion may not have any legal effect, but it is related to Bill C-288 -- which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007.

Fixed election dates

Bill C-16, titled "An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act", is a bill to set fixed election dates. If passed, elections will be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election. The next general election under this act would be held on October 19, 2009. Parliament could still be dissolved by a motion of non-confidence. The provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador have already implemented fixed election dates for their own provincial elections. Bill C-16 passed in the House on November 6, 2006 and the Senate on March 28, 2007. The House began discussing the amendments made in the Senate on April 21, 2007. The house voted down the amendments on April 24, 2007. [7] On May 1, 2007, the Senate chose not to insist on its amendment. The bill received royal assent on May 3. [8]

• full text of bill

Minimum penalties for offences involving firearms

Bill C-9, titled "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment)", is a bill to set minimum penalties for offences involving firearms. Under this act, persons convicted of a serious personal injury offence or a terrorism offence with a term of imprisonment of ten years or more would not be eligible for a conditional sentence. Bill C-9 passed in the House on November 3, 2006 and was passed by the Senate on May 16, 2007. The bill received Royal Assent on May 31, 2007.

• full text of bill

Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act

Bill C-288, an act of the opposition parties to try and make the government support its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. It received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007

• full text of bill

2007 federal budget

Bill C-52 is the 2007 Canadian federal budget.

• full text of bill

Failed acts and motions

Re-opening the same-sex marriage debate

A failed government motion to reopen the same-sex marriage debate. The 38th Canadian Parliament, led by the Liberals, had legalised same-sex marriage a year earlier, and many provinces before that. Harper’s motion to reopen the issue was a promise he made while campaigning, but doing so would likely have been unconstitutional. The motion failed 175-123, so the issue is closed, again, leaving same-sex marriage legal in Canada.

Extending anti-terror laws

A failed government motion (159 opposed to 124 in favour) to renew certain sunsetted provisions of the Anti-terrorism Act, first passed by the Liberals after 9/11 that suspended some civil liberties in order to combat terrorism.

Acts not yet passed

Eight-year Senate terms

Bill S-4, titled An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure) is a Senate bill to limit new Senators' tenure to eight-year terms. Currently, senators can stay in office until they reach the age of 75. The bill was first introduced by the government in the Senate on May 30, 2006. After several months of debates, and consideration of the subject-matter by a special committee, the bill was read a second time on February 20, 2007. At the same time, it was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for consideration. It will not proceed with its third reading until the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled with respect to its constitutionality. It has been suggested that the Liberal Senate will modify the bill to extend the terms to twelve years so that a prime minister would not control the entire Senate after two parliaments.

Age of consent

Bill C-22, titled "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (age of protection) and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Records Act", is a bill to raise the age of consent from 14 to 16. The bill was read a second time and referred to committee on October 30, 2006. It was returned from committee on April 23, 2007. The bill was passed by the House of Commons on May 4. [9]

Senate Appointment Consultations Act

Bill C-43, titled "An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate", is a bill to hold referendums on Senate appointments, introduced December 13, 2006. The bill is opposed by Liberals and has stalled after the first reading.

Expanding the House of Commons

Bill C-56, titled "An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation)" is a bill which would add 22 seats to the House of Commons. This would increase the number to 330 seats, although these seats probably will not be in use until at least 2014. Under the proposed plan, Ontario would gain ten seats, British Columbia would get seven seats, and Alberta would receive five seats. The act has stalled after the first reading. [10]

Members

For full lists of members of the 39th Parliament of Canada, see List of House members of the 39th Parliament of Canada and List of senators in the 39th Parliament of Canada.

Officeholders

Speakers

• Hon. Peter Milliken (the Liberal Member for Kingston and the Islands) was re-elected Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons on April 3, 2006. He defeated Diane Marleau (the Liberal Member for Sudbury) and Marcel Proulx (the Liberal Member for Hull—Aylmer) on the first ballot, becoming only the third Speaker from an opposition party in history.

• Hon. Noël Kinsella is the Speaker of the Senate (a Conservative Senator for New Brunswick).

Other Chair occupants

House of Commons

• Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole—Hon. Bill Blaikie (the New Democratic Party Member for Elmwood—Transcona),

• Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole—Royal Galipeau (the Conservative Member for Ottawa—Orléans),

• Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole—Andrew Scheer (the Conservative Member for Regina—Qu'Appelle)

Senate

• Hon. Rose-Marie Losier-Cool is the Speaker pro tempore of the Senate of Canada, (a Liberal Senator for New Brunswick).

Leaders

• Prime Minister of Canada: Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper (Conservative)
• Leader of the Opposition (Liberal):
  1. Hon. Bill Graham (interim)
  2. Hon. Stéphane Dion (from December 2, 2006)
• BQ leader: Gilles Duceppe
• NDP leader: Hon. Jack Layton

Front Bench

• Government: see 28th Canadian Ministry

Opposition:

• Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada (Liberal Party of Canada)
• Bloc Québécois Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada
• New Democratic Party Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada

House Leaders

• Government House Leader: Hon. Peter Van Loan
  • Leader of the Government in the Senate: Hon. Marjory LeBreton
• Opposition house leader: Hon. Ralph Goodale
  • Leader of the Opposition in the Senate: Hon. Céline Hervieux-Payette
• BQ house leader:
  1. Michel Gauthier(until April 20, 2007)
  2. Pierre Paquette (from April 20, 2007)
• NDP house leader: Libby Davies

Whips

• Chief Government Whip: Hon. Jay Hill
• Deputy Government Whip: Guy Lauzon
• Official Opposition Whip: Hon. Karen Redman
• BQ Whip: Michel Guimond
• NDP Whip: Yvon Godin

References

• Government of Canada. "39th Parliament". Members of the House of Commons: 1867 to Date: By Parliament. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
• Government of Canada. "Duration of Sessions". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "General Elections". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "House of Commons Government Bills". LEGISinfo. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
• Government of Canada. "Key Dates for each Parliament". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "Party Standings (1974 to date): At the Senate". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
• Government of Canada. "Leaders of the Opposition in the House of Commons". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "Prime Ministers of Canada". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "Senate Government Bills". LEGISinfo. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
• Government of Canada. "Speakers". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
• Government of Canada. "The Canadian Ministry in order of precedence (Current)". Canadian Ministry (Cabinet). Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
• Government of Canada. "The Canadian Ministry in order of precedence (September 2001 to date)". Canadian Ministry (Cabinet). Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2006-12-01.