House of Commons.

• Author: Sokolyk, Gary
• Position: Legislative Reports

With public opinion polls continuing to indicate that no political party enjoyed sufficient support to form a majority government, it was clear to most observers by mid-May that there was little appetite on either side of the House for a spring election. Increasing rancour and obstruction followed. The latter was most evident in opposition-controlled committees, which saw filibusters, boycotts, cancelled meetings, non-confidence motions and refusals by government Members to stand for election as Chair.

Tensions also rose between the two Chambers culminating on June 19, 2007, when the Senate concurred in a report (presented on June 12, 2007) recommending that Bill S-4 (An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure)), as amended, not be proceeded with at third reading until such time as the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled with respect to its constitutionality. The decision effectively neutralized this key element of the government's Senate-reform initiative.

In June several government bills were before the Senate, however there was last-minute, accelerated passage of nine uncontroversial bills along with Bill C-52 (An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007).

Former Liberal Minister and interim Opposition Leader Bill Graham rose in the House on June 19, 2007 to announce his resignation, effective July 2nd. This announcement led to a rare moment of harmony and civility in the Chamber, as representatives of all parties rose to offer tributes to a colleague esteemed by Members of every political stripe. Following Mr. Graham's resignation, four other members have resigned, which, when combined with earlier vacancies, will lead to a number of by-elections this Fall including two that have been announced in Quebec for September 17, 2007.

As the summer adjournment approached, resistance to the passage of the Budget Bill (Bill C-52) was fuelled by opposition from three provincial premiers to budgetary provisions respecting equalization payments. This opposition was underscored by the decision of Nova Scotia MP Bill Casey to vote against the motion to concur in the bill at Report Stage on June 5, 2007, with the result that he was expelled from the Conservative caucus and now sits as an Independent.

The general aversion to the confidence crisis that would inevitably have followed the defeat of a budget bill such as C-52 led to its third reading and passage on June 12, 2007. This passage of the bill may have been motivated by the government's insistence that it would not hesitate to recall the House during the summer should the bill fail to clear the House and then the Senate without amendment and in a timely fashion.

The cooperation of the Senate in the latter regard allowed the House to rise on June 20, 2007, seemingly to the great relief of Members on all sides. The price of this co-operation was apparently the government's acquiescence in the passage at...