Legislative reports: House of Commons.

The opening session of the 37th Parliament has been characterized by contentious issues and acrimonious exchanges. Despite the difficult circumstances, the performance of Speaker Peter Milliken, has been praised for his fairness, efficiency, and procedural knowledge.

Procedure

Early in the new session, motions were adopted to amend Standing Order 104(2) regarding membership of standing committees. The Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations was divided between the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and the Standing Committee on Transport. This action resulted in two new committees: the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development, and Natural Resources; and the Standing Committee on Transport and Government Operations. The Standing Committee on Industry was also amended to become the Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology.

Four special debates took place since the opening of the session: a debate on parliamentary reform, a take note debate on the Summit of the Americas, an emergency debate on foot-and-mouth disease, and a debate to take note of the state of Canada's resource industries. The debate on Canada's resource industries took place in Committee of the Whole. Since this was the first time the House had considered this type of debate, the Chairman of the Committee opened the debate with a few remarks as to how the debate would be conducted.

Other interesting procedural points included the Government agreeing to support an opposition supply day motion for a national sex offender registry. The vote saw 255 MPs endorse the motion in a rare display of unanimity. Later in the session, on March 29th, the Opposition united to support a Bloc Quebecois motion that the house do now adjourn, effectively closing House business for the day. Opposition MPs caught the Government Whip without enough Members in the House to maintain control of the Chamber. The Opposition characterized the motion as a protest move citing the government's refusal to answer questions surrounding the Auberge Grand-Mere affair. The motion carried by 98 to 95 votes despite a concerted effort to round up government MPs from buildings, taxis, and the airport. This was one of the rare occasions where the Opposition has won a vote. Contrary to the custom where both Whips approach the Table to indicate to the Chair that the House is ready for the vote, the Whip for the Official Opposition proceeded to the Table without the Government Whip.

Privilege

Roger Gallaway (Sarnia--Lambton, Lib.) raised a question of privilege concerning the termination of two legislative counsel of the House, some time after their testimonies before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in the previous Parliament. The Member argued that the witnesses had sought, and had received, the assurance of the Committee that there would be no reprisals for their testifying, and that their termination was a direct consequence of their testimony and therefore constituted a prima facie case of privilege. His argument raised the question of the "immunity of committee witnesses", which, if threatened, could result in the reluctance of witnesses to appear before committee. Chuck Strahl (Fraser Valley, CA) raised concerns about the need to increase resources of the House, especially with regard to legislative services. For his part, Peter MacKay...

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