Tag: House of Commons

Shuffling the deck at House of Commons committees

Akin at Committee
Your blogger and correspondent skulks about 253-D, one of the main committee meeting rooms in the Centre Block of the House of Commons.

I’m certain this post will be read by only the most die-hard of political geeks and, if so, welcome: You’re among friends here.

And so, for you, we present  changes adopted this week by the House of Commons to the rosters of the various standing committees of the House of Commons, recently switched up as new MPs arrived in the House courtesy of last fall’s by-elections but also because one party, the Liberals, has three of its caucus members busy trying to become the leader. The official report here and here has the changes broken down by each committee but here, in this post, I’m breaking it down by party and MP: Continue reading Shuffling the deck at House of Commons committees

Hansard geeks rejoice! It's all going online!

I don’t know about you but I am constantly finding neat, new things at the Parliamentary Web site. It’s invaluable for political journalists and, I assume, teachers, researchers and others who want to know more about federal politics.

Well, here’s some good news — all of Hansard for both the House of Commons and the Senate will be making its way online over the next couple of years.

Right now, Hansards dating back to 1994 for the House of Commons and to 1996 for the Senate are already online and are searchable.  Continue reading Hansard geeks rejoice! It's all going online!

The evolution of the SO31: From happy thoughts to political mud fights

Before every Question Period in the House of Commons, there is a 15-minute period where MPs are allowed to rise and deliver a one-minute “Member’s Statement” on just about any subject they want. These “Members’ Statements” are provided for under Standing Order 31 of the House of Common procedural rules. So, you’ll often hear an MP say, “I’m giving an ess-oh-thirty-one (SO31) today …” In Parliament Hill shorthand, SO31 is used a noun to refer to these one-minute-long member’s statements. 

Continue reading The evolution of the SO31: From happy thoughts to political mud fights

Ms. Candice Bergen (Portage-Lisgar) has a Members Statement

This afternoon in the House of Commons, the member of Parliament for the Manitoba riding of Portage-Lisgar rose during the “Members Statements” period of the proceedings to deliver the following:

Ms. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, CPC)  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform you, my colleagues and my constituents that I have decided to return to my birth name, Candice Bergen. This change will take place as soon as this statement concludes. I realize that many will associate that name with a popular actress, but it is in fact the name that my parents gave me and I am extremely proud and honoured to resume using the name Bergen in that it has a deep history and strong ties in my riding of Portage—Lisgar. I am so grateful for the strong support I received from my constituents during election time and between elections and I am very honoured to be referred to as their member here in the chamber. Although my last name is changing, I can assure my constituents I will continue to serve and represent them here in Ottawa and work for their families in the riding and I appreciate their interest. If members hear on the Hill that Candice Bergen is here, it is not Murphy Brown people will be referring to. It will be me.

Ms. Hoepp– , er, Bergen will be a familiar face to many Canadians as the one of those MPs most closely associated with the fight against the long gun registry. Ms. Bergen’s marriage to Mr. Hoeppner recently ended in divorce and, hence, the name change.

Tweaks to Manitoba's federal riding boundaries; no changes in PEI

The work of electoral boundary commissions in Canada’s provinces continues. Today, the commission in Manitoba proposed some tweaking of 12 of that province’s 14 ridings. While provinces like Ontario, Alberta and BC are getting more ridings, Manitoba seats will remain unchanged. 

Continue reading Tweaks to Manitoba's federal riding boundaries; no changes in PEI

Goodbye from Lee Richardson

Lee Richardson, the MP for Calgary-Centre announced in the House of Commons this afternoon that he is resigning his seat in order to become Principal Secretary to Alberta Premier Alison Redford. Richardson is a popular MP, well-liked by those on all sides of the House and has always been cordial and helpful with reporters. He’s one of the good guys. Here’s his final speech in the House: Continue reading Goodbye from Lee Richardson

Daily Brief: Van Loan explains why he's shutting down debate

Government House Leader Peter Van Loan invoked “time allocation” earlier today in the House of Commons, a parliamentary procedure which effectively limits parliamentary debate on a particular issue. The issue at hand this time is Bill C-25, legislation that would create registered pooled pension plans, a new kind of savings vehicle for those who are self-employed or whose employers do not offer company pension plans. Continue reading Daily Brief: Van Loan explains why he's shutting down debate

MVP MPs

Today, across our newspaper chain, I try to highlight what I’ll call MVP MPs, as voted on by MPs themselves. Before Christmas, I asked about three dozen MPs from all parties to list one or two MPs from any party they thought had done a good job of serving their constituents and Canadians.

You can read why Conservatives Michelle Rempel, Mike Wallace, and Joe Preston; New Democrats Alexandre Boulerice and Christine Moore; and Liberal Kirsty Duncan were singled out.

But Continue reading MVP MPs

Who's been the top MPs of the year?

Last year, in the papers across our chains, I published a list of MPs that I thought were doing a great job as MPs.  Looking back on 2010 I saluted the work in Parliament of Jack Layton, Chris Warkentin, Ted Menzies, Peter Julian, Siobhan Coady, Claude Bachand, Bob Rae, and Thierry St.-Cyr. Continue reading Who's been the top MPs of the year?