Throne Speech Day

For those of you who are procedural geeks, here's an outline of Parliamentary agenda on days there is a Speech from the Throne. (Not that I'm suggesting we're going to soon see a speech from the Throne …) This is culled from the briefing books given to MP Rob Nicholson when he was sworn in back in February of 2006 as Government House Leader and Minister for Democratic Reform. I've recently received the briefing books of both Nicholson and his successor, Peter Van Loan, using our access to information laws.

The Governor General then reads the Speech from the Throne, after which, the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the MPs return to the House of Commons.

The business for the day's sitting then proceeds:

• The Prime Minister moves for leave to Introduce the pro forma Bill C-I, An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office (this bill does not proceed and is introduced only to assert the House's right to pass legislation and conduct debates);
• The Speaker reports receipt of a copy of the Speech from the Throne;
• The Prime Minister moves that the Speech from the Throne be considered either later that day or on some future day;
• The Speaker announces the membership of the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy;
• The Prime Minister moves the appointments of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and an Assistant Deputy Chairman of Cornmrttees of the Whole;
• The President of the Treasury Board moves a continuing
• Order for the consideration of Supply;
• Two backbench MPs (selected in advance by the Prime Minister) move and second the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, usually on the same day as the Speech; and
• The debate on the Throne Speech Is then usually adjourned by the Leader of the Opposition until the next day.