House of Commons.

• Author: Macdonald, Julie-Anne
• Position: Legislative Reports

The first Session of the 41st Parliament was prorogued on September 13, 2013. The second Session began on October 16, 2013. The information below covers the period from August I to October 31, 2013.

Speech from the Throne

Governor-General David Johnston delivered the Speech from the Throne on October 16, in the Senate Chamber, in the presence of the assembled Justices of the Supreme Court, Senators, Members, and other dignitaries and guests. The theme of the Throne Speech was "Seizing Canada's Moment Prosperity and Opportunity in an Uncertain World." Contrary to recent practice, the debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne did not start before the House adjourned the first sitting day.

Supply and Legislation

On October 16, after the House had agreed to the motion for the designation of a continuing order of supply, the Speaker informed Members that the number of allotted days for the Supply period ending December 10 would be adjusted. Since the House had sat fewer days than scheduled, five days instead of seven were allotted for this period.

On October 22, Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures, was introduced in the House and read a first time. The following day during second reading debate of the Bill, Peggy Nash moved a reasoned amendment. Between October 24 and 28, unanimous consent was sought to divide Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures, either to withdraw clauses relating to the appointment of Supreme Court justices, the public sector employee relations and changes to workplace health and safety regulations or the establishment of a new system of permanent residence in Canada. Unanimous consent was denied. Debate continued until October 29, 2013, when questions were put on the amendment and the second reading motion. The Bill was adopted at second reading and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Pursuant to provisions of Government Business Motion No. 2 and at the request of a Minister, some government bills identical to bills from the previous Session were deemed to have been considered and approved at all stages completed at the time of prorogation: Bill C-6, An Act to implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions; Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Museums Act in order to establish the Canadian Museum of History and to make...