Legislative reports: House of Commons.

The early part of 2002 has been dominated by controversy and acrimonious relations between government and opposition Members on issues ranging from Canada's participation in the American-led campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan to the awarding of advertising contracts by the Department of Public Works.

The Commons was also rocked by the usurping of one of its long-held traditions when Keith Martin (Canadian Alliance) grabbed the ceremonial Mace, which lies in a place of honour at the head of the Clerk's table in front of the Speaker to indicate when the House is sitting. Mr. Martin was angered when government members voted in favour of an amendment to discharge his bill on the non-medical use of marijuana and refer the subject matter to a committee. In what appears to have been a premeditated act of defiance, Mr. Martin walked up the centre aisle to the table, picked up the five-foot long Mace and proclaimed loudly to the Speaker, "We don't live in a democracy any more." A question of privilege was subsequently raised by the Government House Leader, Ralph Goodale, and was deemed prima facie by the Speaker. Following negotiations between the parties, Mr. Martin appeared at the bar of the House to apologize for his actions.

The House has seen its fair share of musical chairs over the past several months. Following the long-awaited Canadian Alliance Party (CA) leadership convention in March and the victory of Stephen Harper as the new Party leader, five of the remaining dissident Democratic Representative Caucus Members opted to leave their coalition with the Progressive Conservatives and were accepted back into the fold of the Alliance (Deborah Grey, Jay Hill, Grant McNally, Val Meredith and Chuck Strahl). Inky Mark opted to continue to sit as part of the Progressive Conservative Party Caucus as a "Conservative Independent". It was not known at the time of writing whether Jim Pankiw would continue to sit as an Independent or if he would return to the Alliance caucus.

Procedure

On the evening of January 28th, the first sitting following the Holiday season break, a special take note debate was held on the deployment of Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan. On March 21st an emergency debate was held on the fisheries industry. Another emergency debate was held on April 8th to consider the deterioration of relations between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East.

Another procedural "first" occurred on January 28th, pursuant to recent changes to the Standing Orders based on recommendations of the Modernization Committee. Following a point of order raised by backbencher Guy St-Julien (Lib.), the Speaker informed the House that due to the Government's failure to respond to a number of Written Questions on the Order Paper within the specified 45-day period, they were being deemed referred to various standing committees of the House.

On February 4th, in a ruling on a point of order raised by Vic Toews (CA), concerning the handling of unanswered questions referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the Deputy Speaker made a statement on the intended functioning of the new procedure.

A dispute occurred in March between opposition parties with regard to the allocation of opposition days for Supply proceedings and the number of such days that would be made votable. On March 11th, pursuant to S.O. 81(14), Speaker Peter Milliken informed the House of the motion of supply on national security in the name of Peter Mackay, of the Progressive Conservatives -- Democratic Representative Coalition (PC/DR) to be considered the following day. The Speaker added that the motion would be votable. Randy White (CA)...