Yesterday, I filed about the possibility that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will appoint senators, prorogue Parliament, table a throne speech, table a budget and then watch the Olympics — roughly in that order. That story included this bit:
By parliamentary tradition, prime ministers generally do not name senators or make other significant appointments while Parliament is prorogued (although Harper did just that last winter in the midst of the coalition crisis.)
Well, if Harper did it last year, he wasn't the only one to ignore this tradition, I am informed by officials with his office:
While Parliament was prorogued between Nov. 12, 2003, and Feb. 2, 2004:
• Prime Minister Paul Martin and his entire Cabinet was sworn in
• A new Clerk of the Privy Council was appointed
• Jim Munson was called to the Senate (Dec 10)
• 49 returning officers were appointed
• 8 ambassadors were appointed, including Allan Rock (UN)
• Jennifer Stoddart was named Privacy Commissioner
• Sheridan Scott was appointed Commissioner of Competition