39th Canadian Parliament 1186194 225889022 2008-07-15T21:42:55Z 209.195.93.149 {{Infobox Canadian Parliament | # = 39th | type = minority | houseimage = 39th Can Parl.png | senateimage = 39th Can Senate.png | status = active | term-begin = April 3, 2006 | term-end = | sc = Hon. [[Peter Milliken]] | scterm = [[April 3]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | sc2 = | scterm2 = | sc3 = | scterm3 = | sc4 = | scterm4 = | sc5 = | scterm5 = | sc6 = | scterm6 = | pm = Rt. Hon. [[Stephen Harper]] | pmterm = [[Feb 6]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | pm2 = | pmterm2 = | pm3 = | pmterm3 = | pm4 = | pmterm4 = | pm5 = | pmterm5 = | pm6 = | pmterm6 = | lo = Hon. [[Bill Graham]] | loterm = [[Feb 7]], [[2006]] – [[Dec 2]], [[2006]] | lo2 = Hon. [[Stéphane Dion]] | loterm2 = [[Dec 2]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | lo3 = | loterm3 = | lo4 = | loterm4 = | lo5 = | loterm5 = | lo6 = | loterm6 = | ghl = Hon. [[Rob Nicholson]] | ghlterm = [[Feb 6]], [[2006]] - [[Jan 4]], [[2007]] | ghl2 = Hon. [[Peter Van Loan]] | ghlterm2 = [[Jan 4]], [[2007]]&ndash;present | ghl3 = | ghlterm3 = | ghl4 = | ghlterm4 = | ghl5 = | ghlterm5 = | ghl6 = | ghlterm6 = | ohl = Hon. [[Ralph Goodale]] | ohlterm = [[Feb 10]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | ohl2 = | ohlterm2 = | ohl3 = | ohlterm3 = | ohl4 = | ohlterm4 = | ohl5 = | ohlterm5 = | ohl6 = | ohlterm6 = | ss = Hon. [[Noël Kinsella]] | ssterm = [[Feb 8]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | ss2 = | ssterm2 = | ss3 = | ssterm3 = | ss4 = | ssterm4 = | ss5 = | ssterm5 = | ss6 = | ssterm6 = | gsl = Hon. [[Marjory LeBreton]] | gslterm = [[Feb 6]], [[2006]]&ndash;present | gsl2 = | gslterm2 = | gsl3 = | gslterm3 = | gsl4 = | gslterm4 = | gsl5 = | gslterm5 = | gsl6 = | gslterm6 = | osl = Hon. [[Dan Hays]] | oslterm = [[Feb 8]], [[2006]] - [[Jan 18]], [[2007]] | osl2 = Hon. [[Céline Hervieux-Payette]] | oslterm2 = [[Jan 18]], [[2007]]&ndash;present | osl3 = | oslterm3 = | osl4 = | oslterm4 = | osl5 = | oslterm5 = | osl6 = | oslterm6 = | party = [[Conservative Party of Canada]] | party2 = [[Liberal Party of Canada]] | party3 = [[Bloc Québécois]] | party4 = [[New Democratic Party]] | party5 = | party6 = | sessionbegin = [[April 3]], [[2006]] | sessionend = [[Sept 14]], [[2007]] | sessionbegin2 = [[Oct 16]], [[2007]] | sessionend2 = present | sessionbegin3 = | sessionend3 = | sessionbegin4 = | sessionend4 = | sessionbegin5 = | sessionend5 = | sessionbegin6 = | sessionend6 = | ministry = 28th | ministry2 = | ministry3 = | ministry4 = | ministry5 = | ministry6 = | ministrybegin = [[Feb 6]], [[2006]] | ministryend = present | ministrybegin2 = | ministryend2 = | ministrybegin3 = | ministryend3 = | ministrybegin4 = | ministryend4 = | ministrybegin5 = | ministryend5 = | ministrybegin6 = | ministryend6 = | members = 305 of 308 | senator = 91 of 105 | lastparl = 38th | nextparl = 40th }} {{Canadian politics}} The '''39th Canadian Parliament''' is the current [[Parliament of Canada]], and has been in session since [[April 3]], [[2006]].<ref name="key dates">{{Cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| title=Key Dates for each Parliament| work=ParlInfo| accessdate=2007-11-04| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/parliament/KeyDates.aspx}}</ref> The membership was set by the [[Canadian federal election, 2006|2006 federal election]] on [[January 23]], [[2006]], and it has changed only somewhat due to resignations and [[by-elections]].<ref name="key dates"/> The longest it could run, barring war or national emergency, is until [[October 19]], [[2009]] due to Bill C-16, passed by this Parliament. Among minority parliaments, the 39th Parliament is the longest led by any Conservative government. Until August 31, 2009, it will continue to be surpassed in longevity only by the [[Canadian federal election, 1926|16th Parliament]], led by Mackenzie King's Liberal Party. The 39th Parliament is controlled by a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]] minority, led by [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Stephen Harper]] and the [[28th Canadian Ministry]], which assumed power on [[February 6]], [[2006]].<ref name="prime minister">{{Cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| title=Prime Minister of Canada: Biographical Information| work=ParlInfo| accessdate=2007-11-04| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/FederalGovernment/PrimeMinisters/Biographical.aspx}}</ref> The [[Official Opposition (Canada)|Official Opposition]] is the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], led first by interim leader [[Bill Graham]], and currently by [[Stéphane Dion]].<ref name="opposition leader">{{Cite web| author=Government of Canada| title=Leaders of the Opposition in the House of Commons| date=2006-02-24| accessdate=2006-11-30| publisher=Library of Parliament| url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/OppLeaderCareer.asp?Language=E&Hist=Y}}</ref> The [[Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons|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.<ref name="house speakers"/> 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]]: [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberals]], [[Bloc Québécois]], or [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP). There have been two [[Parliamentary session|sessions]] of the 39th Parliament.<ref name="sessions">{{Cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| title=Parliaments - Duration of Sessions| work=ParlInfo| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/parliament/Sessions.aspx|accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref> The party standings as elected and as of [[March 17]], [[2008]], 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, eleven resigned, and nine members have been elected in by-elections to fill vacancies (one vacancy remains 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 [[39th Canadian Parliament#Members|Members]] section. See [[List of Canadian federal electoral districts]] for a list of the ridings in this parliament. {{39th Canadian Parliament standings}} {{TOClimit|limit=2}} ==Major events== ===Floor-crossing=== Four members of parliament have [[crossing the floor|crossed the floor]] since the election on [[January 23]], [[2006]]: 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.<ref>{{cite web | last =CTV.ca News Staff | title =CTV.ca | Former Liberal David Emerson defects to Tories | publisher = CTVglobemedia | date =Updated Mon. Feb. 6 2006 11:29 PM ET | url =http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060206/emerson_defection_060206/20060206 | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> On [[January 5]], [[2007]], [[Wajid Khan]], elected as the Liberal [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Mississauga—Streetsville]], crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite web | last =Weber | first =Tery | author-link = | last2 =Sallot | first2 =Jeff | title =Liberal Khan defects to Conservatives | publisher = CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. | date =Posted AT 12:10 PM EST on 05/01/07 | url =http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20070105.wsallot0105%2FBNStory%2FNational%2Fhome&ord=3710083&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> On [[February 6]], [[2007]], [[Garth Turner]], elected as a Conservative MP for [[Halton (electoral district)|Halton]], moved to the Liberal caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since being suspended from the Tory caucus on [[October 18]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite web | last =CTV.ca News Staff | title =globeandmail.com: National |work = Independent MP Garth Turner joins Liberals | publisher = CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. | date =2007 | url =http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070206/turner_liberals_070206/20070206?hub=CTVNewsAt11 | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> On [[June 26]], [[2007]], [[Joe Comuzzi]], elected as a Liberal MP for [[Thunder Bay&mdash;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]].<ref>{{cite news |authorlink=CTV News |author=CTV.ca News Staff |title=Harper makes it official: Comuzzi joins Tory fold |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070626/Joe_Comuzzi_07626/20070626?hub=Canada |publisher=CTV.ca |date=2007-06-26 |accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref> ===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 (politician)|Bill Graham]] as [[parliamentary leader]], meaning he served as [[Leader of the Opposition (Canada)|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Canadian House of Commons|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.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jane |last=Taber |authorlink=Jane Taber |title=Martin hands caucus reins to Graham |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060202.LIBERALS02/TPStory/?query= |format=fee required |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2006-02-02 |accessdate=2007-11-04 }}</ref> In 1979, [[Pierre Trudeau]]'s Liberals lost to [[Joe Clark]]'s [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|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 [[motion of no confidence|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 [[Canadian federal election, 1980|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.<ref>{{cite web | title = Liberal Leaders Through History | work =PoliticsWatch | Canada's Political Portal | publisher = Public Interests Research and Communications Inc | date = 2000&ndash;2001 | url =http://www.politicswatch.com/liberalleadership-2006.html | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> 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=== [[Image:Harper,-Stephen-Jan-23-06.jpg|thumb|left|[[Stephen Harper]] is Prime Minister during the 39th Canadian Parliament. He is seen here giving his victory speech after the 2006 federal election which ended thirteen years of Liberal rule.]] 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 sentencing|mandatory sentences]]; lowering the [[Goods and Services Tax (Canada)|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." 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.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gloria |last=Galloway |title=Same-sex marriage file closed for good, PM says |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061208.SAMESEX08/TPStory/?query=%22same-sex+marriage%22 |format=fee required |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2006-08-12 |accessdate=2007-11-04 }}</ref> (See [[Members of the 39th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage]] for more information.) ===Resignations and By-elections=== 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]].<ref>{{cite web | title =London North Centre | work =Digital Copyright Canada | publisher = FLORA Community Consulting. | date = | url =http://www.digital-copyright.ca/edid/35043 | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> 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 (federal electoral district)|Outremont]] district vacant. On [[July 28]], Prime Minister Stephen Harper called [[by-elections]] for this and two other Quebec ridings, which were held on [[September 17]], [[2007]]. Newcomer NDP candidate [[Thomas Mulcair]] won this riding over star Liberal candidate Jocelyn Coulon, only the second-ever time Outremont has not been won by a Liberal candidate. Mulcair was previously a Provincial Liberal Cabinet Minister in Quebec.<ref>{{cite web| title =Federal NDP recruits former Quebec Liberal minister| publisher = CBC 2007| date =Tuesday, September 18, 2007| url =http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/04/20/mulcair-ndp.html| accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> 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]]. Loubier was replaced in a by-election on September 17, 2007, by newcomer Bloc candidate [[Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac]].<ref>{{cite web | last =Branswell | first =Jack | title =Tories win Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean byelection | work = | publisher = CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. | date =Friday, April 20, 2007 | 3:07 PM ET | url =http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=b4e1efe1-9ed4-4e40-bb51-e7efcf1d1fd5 | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> [[Image:Bill Graham Chile 2003.jpg|thumb|[[Bill Graham]] acted as interim leader of the official opposition until the Liberal leadership convention, after which he resigned his seat.]] 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 [[40th Canadian federal election|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.<ref>{{cite web | last =Akin | first =David | title =David Akin's On the Hill :: Bill Graham resigns | date =Tue 19 Jun 2007 02:55 PM EDT | url =http://davidakin.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/6/19/3033513.html | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> Rae went on to win the Liberal stronghold riding in a [[March 17]], [[2008]] byelection.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Liberals land three by-election victories |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2007-03-18 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> On March 8, 2007, Liberal MP [[Jim Peterson]] announced that he would not be a candidate in his [[Willowdale (electoral district)|Willowdale]] riding in the next federal election. 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Toronto Star |title=Peterson quits early in hopes of forcing byelection |publisher=thestar.ca |date= 2007-06-20 |accessdate=2006-07-06 |url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/227587}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=The Globe and Mail |title=Tories to delay by-elections |publisher=globeandmail.com |date= 2007-07-23 |accessdate=2006-07-27 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070723.BYELXN23/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/}}</ref> When the byelection was eventually held in the riding on [[March 17]], [[2008]], appointed former Liberal Party leadership candidate [[Martha Hall Findlay]] won handily.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Liberals land three by-election victories |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2007-03-18 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> 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. He resigned his seat of [[Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean]] on [[July 29]], [[2007]]. Gauthier was replaced in a by-election on September 17, 2007, by newcomer Conservative candidate and former Roberval mayor [[Denis Lebel]].<ref>{{cite web | title =Quebec byelections to test party popularity | work = | publisher = CBC | date = Monday, September 17, 2007 | 8:29 AM ET | url =http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/09/17/quebec-byelections.html | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news |author=CBC News |authorlink=CBC News |title=Vancouver Liberal MP Owen sets date to resign seat |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/07/05/bc-own.html |publisher=CBC.ca |date=2007-07-05 |accessdate=2007-11-04 }}</ref> Owen was replaced in the riding by former BC Provincial Liberal MLA [[Joyce Murray]], after a by-election on [[March 17]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Liberals land three by-election victories |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2007-03-18 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> On [[July 11]], [[2007]], Liberal MP [[Gary Merasty]] announced he would resign his [[Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River]] seat, due to "family considerations", effective [[August 31]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Gary Merasty Steps Down as Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill |publisher=Liberal Party of Canada |date=2007-07-11 |url=http://www.liberal.ca/story_12970_e.aspx |accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref> Merasty was replaced in the riding by Conservative newcomer [[Rob Clarke]], after a by-election on [[March 17]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Liberals land three by-election victories |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=2007-03-18 |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> On [[December 12]], [[2007]], Liberal MP [[Lucienne Robillard]] announced she would resign her seat of [[Westmount-Ville-Marie]] effective [[January 25]], [[2008]]. [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=hansard&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&DocId=3209459&File=0] On [[March 14]], [[2008]] Bloc MP [[Maka Kotto]] resigned, and Liberal MP [[Brenda Chamberlain]] resigned on [[April 7]]. Another Liberal MP, [[John Godfrey]], has announced his resignation for [[July 1]]. ==Major bills and motions== Important business of the 39th Parliament includes the following [[Bill (proposed law)|bills]] and [[Motion (democracy)|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 list of bills of the 39th Parliament is on the Parliament's website, divided into bills from the [http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=14 1st] and [http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=15 2nd] sessions. On the site, the bills are divided into government bills, [[private member's bill]]s, and [[private bill]]s 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. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-2_4 ''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]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-13_4 ''full text of bill''] =====Extending the Afghan War until 2011===== [[Image:Canadian soldiers afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|Canadian soldiers in [[Afghanistan]].]] A motion in the House to extend Canada's [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|mission in Afghanistan]] by two years was successful. The motion was supported by the Conservatives and 30 Liberal MPs, allowing it to narrowly pass 149-145 on [[May 17]], [[2006]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=CBC News |publisher=CBC.ca |title=Canada's stay in Afghanistan extended by 2 years |date=2006-05-17 |accessdate=2006-12-13 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/17/afghandebate05172006.html}}</ref> Even outside of government bills, the Prime Minister's support of Canada's action has been a recurring topic, gaining him both supporters and critics among the Canadian population. On [[March 13]], [[2008]], the mission was further extended until July 2011 by a vote of 197-77, with Conservative and Liberal MPs in favour, and Bloc and NDP MPs opposed. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2209992 full text of 1st motion] *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&DocId=3331896 full text of 2nd motion] =====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]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-24_4 ''full text of bill''] =====Québécois nationhood===== A successful motion in the House to recognise the [[Québécois]] as a [[Québec nationalism|nation within a united Canada]]. The motion was put forward by the [[Stephen Harper|Prime Minister]] in reaction to an announced motion by [[Bloc Québécois]] leader [[Gilles Duceppe]] that would recognise Quebec as a nation, but did not contain the words "in Canada".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Sheppard |work=In Depth: The 39th Parliament |title=Quebec nationalism, a long history |publisher=CBC.ca |date=2006-11-23 |accessdate=2006-12-11 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/parliament39/quebecnation-history.html}}</ref> The motion easily passed 266 to 16, with all party leaders voting in favour, including Duceppe<ref>{{Cite news |author=CBC News |work=In Depth: The 39th Parliament |title=How each MP voted on Québécois nationhood |publisher=CBC.ca |date=2006-11-28 |accessdate=2006-12-11 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/parliament39/quebecnation-mpvotes.html}}</ref> =====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]].<ref>{{cite news | author = CBC News | title = House motion passes supporting Kyoto | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/05/kyoto-vote.html | publisher = cbc.ca | date = [[2007-02-05]] | accessdate = 2007-02-05}}</ref> The motion may not have any legal effect, but it is related to [[39th Canadian Parliament#Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act|Bill C-288]] -- which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007. =====Fixed election dates===== {{wikinews|Fixed election dates to become law in Canadian federal elections}} Bill C-16, titled ''"An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act"'', is a bill to set fixed election dates. Future elections will be held no later on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election. Assuming that Parliament is not dissolved earlier, the next general election under this act will be held on [[October 19]], [[2009]]. 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 against the amendments on [[April 24]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Journals (No. 139) |publisher=House of Commons of Canada, 39th Parliament, 1st Session |date=2007-04-24 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2857890 |accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref> On [[May 1]], [[2007]], the Senate chose not to insist on its amendment. The bill received royal assent on [[May 3]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Journals (No. 146) |publisher=House of Commons of Canada, 39th Parliament, 1st Session |date=2007-05-03 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2896549 |accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref> *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-16_4 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]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-9_4 full text of bill] =====Omnibus Crime Bill===== Bill C-2, titled ''An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Tackling Violent Crime Act)'' was the government's omnibus crime bill which received Royal Assent on February 29, 2008 and amended several pieces of legislation. Among other things, the bill raised the age of consent to 16 from 14, imposed minimum mandatory sentence for crimes involving firearms, instituted a "[[three strikes law|three-strikes-and-you're-out]]", also known as a "reverse onus sentencing" for habitual offenders, and restricted "house arrest" policies for serious offenders. =====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]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-288_3 full text of bill] =====2007 federal budget===== Bill C-52 is the [[2007 Canadian federal budget]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-52_3 full text of bill] =====2008 federal budget===== Bill C-50 is the [[2008 Canadian federal budget]]. *[http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=2&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-50_3 full text of bill] ===Failed acts and motions=== =====Re-opening the same-sex marriage debate===== {{main|Members of the 39th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage}} A government motion to reopen the [[same-sex marriage]] debate failed. The [[38th Canadian Parliament]], led by the Liberals, had legalized same-sex marriage a year earlier. Several provinces had legalized same-sex marriage before that. During his campaign, Harper promised a parliamentary vote on reopening the issue. The motion failed 175-123 leaving the same-sex marriage legal in Canada and the legal debate about it closed.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Canadian Press |authorlink=Canadian Press |publisher=CBC.ca |title=MPs vote against revisiting gay marriage issue |date=2006-12-07 |accessdate=2006-12-11 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/061207/n120751A.html}}</ref> =====Extending anti-terror laws===== A failed government motion (159 opposed to 124 in favour) to renew certain sunsetted provisions of the [[Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act|''Anti-terrorism Act'']], first passed by the Liberals after [[9/11]] that suspended some civil liberties in order to combat [[terrorism]].<ref>{{cite news |author=CBC News |title=MPs vote against extending anti-terrorism measures |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/27/terror-vote.html |work=CBC.ca |date=[[2007-02-28]] |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> [[Image:Senate of Canada.jpg|thumb|The government introduced multiple bills to reform the Senate of Canada, none of which became laws.]] ===Acts in debate=== =====Eight-year Senate terms===== Bill C-19 (previously Bill S-4) titled ''An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure)'' is a bill to limit new [[Canadian Senate|Senators']] tenure to eight-year terms.<ref>{{cite web | title =Debates of the Senate (Hansard) | work =1st Session, 39th Parliament, Volume 143, Issue 70 | publisher =Senate of Canada Parliament of Government of Canada | date =2007 | url =http://www.sen.parl.gc.ca/lmilne/data/speeches/S4%20Senate%20Term%20Limits.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-12-02 }}</ref> 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]]. The bill was on committee stage in the Senate when Parliament was prorogued. The bill was reintroduced as a Commons bill on [[November 13]], [[2007]] and is currently at second reading stage in the House. =====Senate Appointment Consultations Act===== Bill C-20 (previously 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 [[referendum]]s on Senate appointments, introduced [[December 13]], [[2006]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=CTV.ca News Staff |publisher=CTV.ca |title=PM to bring 'democracy' to choice of senators |date=2006-12-13 |accessdate=2006-12-13 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061213/senate_elexn_061213/20061213?hub=TopStories}}</ref> The bill did not pass by the end of the 1st session of parliament, and was reintroduced in the 2nd session on [[November 13]], [[2007]]. The bill was sent to a legislative committee before second reading on [[February 13]], [[2008]]. =====Expanding the House of Commons===== Bill C-22 (previously 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 bill did not pass by the end of the 1st session of parliament, and was reintroduced in the 2nd session. The bill is currently at second reading stage, with an amendment by the Bloc being debated. <ref>{{cite web |title=Bill C-22: Status of the Bill |work:LEGISINFO |publisher=Library of Parliament |date=2008-06-17 |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E&Session=14&query=4965&List=toc |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> =====Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006===== {{main|Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006}} Bill C-10 (previously Bill C-33), among a long list of minor changes to tax law containes a controversial clause that would give the government power to deny taxation benefits for films made in Canada if the government deems the content to be objectionable. Critics of the clause argue that it is equivalent to censorship because most Canadian films cannot afford to be produced without government assistance. The Bill was passed in the House October 29, 2007, but opposition parties later said that they did not not notice the controversial part and several Senators have said that they intend to send the Bill back to the House. ==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 === <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:MillikenPeter LIB.jpg|thumb|Peter Milliken is serving as speaker of the house for the third consecutive parliament.]] --> *Hon. [[Peter Milliken]] (the [[Liberal Party of Canada|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 Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Sudbury (electoral district)|Member for Sudbury]]) and [[Marcel Proulx]] (the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Hull—Aylmer|Member for Hull—Aylmer]]) on the first ballot, becoming only the third Speaker from an opposition party in history.<ref name="house speakers">{{Cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament|title=Speakers of the Canadian House of Commons|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/SP-BL/hoc-cdc/index.asp?Language=E|accessdate=2007-11-03}}</ref> *Hon. [[Noël Kinsella]] is the [[Speaker of the Canadian Senate|Speaker of the Senate]] (a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] Senator for [[New Brunswick]]).<ref name="senate speakers">{{Cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament|title=Speakers of the Senate|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/Key/SP-BL/sen/index.asp?Language=E|accessdate=2007-11-03}}</ref> ==== Other Chair occupants ==== ===== House of Commons<ref>{{cite web | title =The Speaker - House of Commons Canada - Deputy Speakers The Honourable Bill Blaikie Royal Galipeau Andrew Scheer | publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site | date = | url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/index_e.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-12-02 }}</ref>===== Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole&mdash;Hon. [[Bill Blaikie]] (the [[New Democratic Party]] [[Elmwood—Transcona|Member for Elmwood—Transcona]]). An [[Member of Parliament|MP]] since 1979, he is the longest-serving current Member of the House.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Speaker - House of Commons Canada - Deputy Speakers The Hon. Bill Blaikie | publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site | date = | url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Blaikie_e.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-12-02 }}</ref> Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole&mdash;[[Royal Galipeau]] (the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Ottawa—Orléans|Member for Ottawa—Orléans]]). He is the first [[member of Parliament]] to hold this position without previous parliamentary experience.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Speaker - House of Commons Canada - Deputy Speakers Royal Galipeau | publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site | date = | url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Galipeau_e.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-12-02 }}</ref> Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole&mdash;[[Andrew Scheer]] (the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Regina—Qu'Appelle|Member for Regina—Qu'Appelle]]). As one of Canada's youngest [[Member of Parliament|MPs]], is a vocal advocate of western concerns.<ref>{{cite web | title =The Speaker - House of Commons Canada - Deputy Speakers Andrew Scheer | publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site | date = | url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Scheer_e.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-12-02 }}</ref> ===== Senate ===== *Hon. [[Rose-Marie Losier-Cool]] is the Speaker ''pro tempore'' of the Senate of Canada, (a [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] Senator for [[New Brunswick]]). ===Leaders=== *[[Prime Minister of Canada]]: Rt. Hon. [[Stephen Harper]] (Conservative) *[[Leader of the Official Opposition (Canada)|Leader of the Opposition]] (Liberal): *#Hon. [[Bill Graham]] (interim) *#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<ref name="house leaders">{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/ParliamentaryLeaders/Party.aspx |title=Party House Leaders |accessdate=2007-11-04 |author=Government of Canada |date=2007-01-15 |work=ParlInfo |publisher=Library of Parliament}}</ref>=== *[[Government House Leader]]: Hon. [[Peter Van Loan]] **[[Leader of the Government in the Senate (Canada)|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: *#[[Michel Gauthier]](until [[April 20]], [[2007]]) *#[[Pierre Paquette]](from [[April 20]], [[2007]]) *NDP house leader: [[Libby Davies]] ===Whips<ref name="whips">{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/Whips.aspx |title=Whips |accessdate=2007-11-04 |author=Government of Canada |date=2007-01-15 |work=ParlInfo |publisher=Library of Parliament}}</ref>=== *[[Chief Government Whip (Canada)|Chief Government Whip]]: Hon. [[Jay Hill]] *Deputy Government Whip: [[Pierre Lemieux]] *Official Opposition Whip: Hon. [[Karen Redman]] *[[Bloc Québécois]] Whip: [[Michel Guimond]] *[[New Democratic Party]] Whip: [[Yvon Godin]] ===Notable Members=== * [[Right Honourable]] [[Paul Martin]], [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]], former [[Prime Minister]] sitting the back benches as [[Member of Parliament]] for [[LaSalle—Émard]] ==References== {{reflist|3}} ==Succession== {{Canada parliaments}} {{Harper Government}} {{DEFAULTSORT:39th Canadian Parliament}} [[Category:Canadian parliaments]] [[Category:39th Canadian Parliament]] [[Category:Stephen Harper]] [[fr:39e législature du Canada]]