View source for 39th Canadian Parliament

{{Short description|Minority government of Canada from 2006 to 2008}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox Canadian Parliament
| image = Ottawa Parliament Hill - Peace Tower and Library of Parliament.jpg
| caption = Canadian Parliament (2008)
| jurisdiction = CA
| # = 39th
| type = Minority
| houseimage = 39th House of Commons.PNG
| senateimage = 39th Can Senate.png
| status = inactive
| term-begin = April 3, 2006
| term-end = September 7, 2008
| gov.gen = [[Michaëlle Jean]]
| sc = Hon. [[Peter Milliken]]
| scterm = {{Start date|2001|1|29}} – June 2, 2011
| pm = Rt. Hon. [[Stephen Harper]]
| pm-begin = 2006-02-06
| pm-end = 2015-11-04
| lo = Hon. [[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]]
| lo-begin = 2006-02-07
| lo-end   = 2006-12-02
| lo2 = Hon. [[Stéphane Dion]]
| lo-begin2 = 2006-12-02
| lo-end2   = 2008-12-10
| ghl = Hon. [[Rob Nicholson (politician)|Rob Nicholson]]
| ghlterm = February 6, 2006 – January 4, 2007
| ghl2 = Hon. [[Peter Van Loan]]
| ghlterm2 = January 4, 2007 – October 30, 2008
| ohl = Hon. [[Ralph Goodale]]
| ohlterm = February 10, 2006 – September 6, 2010
| ss = Hon. [[Noël Kinsella]]
| ssterm = February 8, 2006 – November 26, 2014
| gsl = Hon. [[Marjory LeBreton]]
| gslterm = February 6, 2006 – July 14, 2013
| osl = Hon. [[Dan Hays]]
| oslterm = February 8, 2006 – January 18, 2007
| osl2 = Hon. [[Céline Hervieux-Payette]]
| oslterm2 = January 18, 2007 – November 3, 2008
| party = [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]]
| party2 = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]]
| party3 = [[Bloc Québécois]]
| party4 = [[New Democratic Party]]
| unrecparty1 = [[Green Party of Canada|Green Party]] (from 2008)
| unrecparty2 = [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservative]]*
| partyfootnote1 = Only in the Senate.
| sessionbegin = April 3, 2006
| sessionend = September 14, 2007
| sessionbegin2 = October 16, 2007
| sessionend2 = September 7, 2008
| ministry = [[28th Canadian Ministry]]

<!-- Monarch -->
| monarch = HM [[Elizabeth II]]
| monarchterm = February 6, 1952 – 8 September 2022
| viceroy = HE Rt. Hon. [[Michaëlle Jean]]
| viceroyterm = September 27, 2005 – October 1, 2010
| members = 308 seats
| senators = 105 seats
| lastparl = 38th
| nextparl = 40th
}}
The '''39th Canadian Parliament''' was in session from April 3, 2006 until September 7, 2008.<ref name="key dates">{{cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| title=Key Dates for each Parliament| work=ParlInfo| access-date=November 4, 2007| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/parliament/KeyDates.aspx| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071114112749/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/parliament/KeyDates.aspx| archive-date= November 14, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The membership was set by the [[2006 Canadian federal election|2006 federal election]] on January 23, 2006, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections.<ref name="key dates"/> The Parliament was dissolved on September 7, 2008, with an [[2008 Canadian federal election|election to determine the membership of the 40th Parliament]] occurring on October 14, 2008.

There were two [[Parliamentary session|sessions]] of the 39th Parliament:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Session
!Start
!End
|-
| 1st
| April 3, 2006
| September 14, 2007
|-
| 2nd
| October 16, 2007
| September 7, 2008<ref name="sessions">{{cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| title=Parliaments – Duration of Sessions| work=ParlInfo| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/parliament/Sessions.aspx|access-date=November 4, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071114112755/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/parliament/Sessions.aspx| archive-date= November 14, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|}

==Overview==
{{Politics of Canada}}

The 39th Parliament was the longest minority government led by any Canadian federal government until the record was surpassed by Justin Trudeau's Liberal minority government in the [[44th Canadian Parliament|44th Parliament]] on June 17, 2024. No other Conservative minority had previously lasted a full year, and only Lester B. Pearson's governments had lasted more than two.<ref>{{cite web |author=Canada |publisher=Library of Parliament |access-date=September 2, 2008 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/parliament/DurationMinorityGovernment.aspx |title=Duration of Minority Governments |archive-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507070220/http://www.parl.gc.ca/ParlInfo/compilations/parliament/DurationMinorityGovernment.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 39th Parliament was controlled by a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]] minority, led by [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Stephen Harper]] and the [[28th Canadian Ministry]], which assumed power on February 6, 2006.<ref name="prime minister">{{cite web|author=Government of Canada |publisher=Library of Parliament |title=Prime Minister of Canada: Biographical Information |work=ParlInfo |access-date=November 4, 2007 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/FederalGovernment/PrimeMinisters/Biographical.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027074746/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/FederalGovernment/PrimeMinisters/Biographical.aspx |archive-date=October 27, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Official Opposition (Canada)|Official Opposition]] was the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], led first by interim leader [[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]], and then by [[Stéphane Dion]] for the remainder of the Parliament's life.<ref name="opposition leader">{{cite web| author=Government of Canada| title=Leaders of the Opposition in the House of Commons| date=February 24, 2006| access-date=November 30, 2006| publisher=Library of Parliament| url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/OppLeaderCareer.asp?Language=E&Hist=Y| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222110709/http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/OppLeaderCareer.asp?Language=E&Hist=Y| archive-date=February 22, 2007| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The [[Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada|Speaker]] was Liberal [[Peter Milliken]]. Milliken was re-elected as the Speaker of the House for the 39th Parliament on April 3, 2006. The Speaker only votes in a tie, and, as Milliken is a Liberal, the Liberal caucus was effectively reduced by one.<ref name="house speakers"/> This, along with the defection of [[Wajid Khan (Canadian politician)|Wajid Khan]] to the Conservatives enabled the Conservatives to pass legislation with the cooperation of any one of the three [[opposition parties]]: [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberals]], [[Bloc Québécois]], or [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] (NDP).

The party standings as of the election and as of dissolution on September 7, 2008, are on the table below. Between these events, five members of the House of Commons [[crossed the floor]], one died, twelve resigned, and nine members were elected in by-elections to fill vacancies, leaving four vacancies at dissolution. In that same period, two senators died, six reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, four resigned, and two were appointed to fill vacancies, leaving fifteen vacancies at dissolution. Step-by-step changes are listed in the [[#Members|Members]] section. See [[List of Canadian federal electoral districts]] for a list of the ridings in this parliament.

The Parliament was dissolved by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper on September 7, 2008. The general election for the members of the 40th Parliament of Canada was held on October 14, 2008.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Standings in the 39th Canadian Parliament
|-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Affiliation
!colspan=2|[[List of House members of the 39th Parliament of Canada|House members]]<ref name="house members">{{Cite web| author=Government of Canada| publisher=Library of Parliament| work=ParlInfo| title=Members of The House Of Commons| url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/mpsparl.asp?Language=E&parl=95| access-date=2007-11-04| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219235746/http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/mpsparl.asp?Language=E&parl=95| archive-date=December 19, 2006| url-status=dead| df=mdy-all}}</ref>
!colspan=2|[[List of senators in the 39th Parliament of Canada|Senate members]]<ref name="senate members">{{Cite web| author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament| work=ParlInfo| title=Senators| url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/lists/senators.aspx?Parliament=0d5d5236-70f0-4a7e-8c96-68f985128af9| access-date=2007-11-04}}</ref>
|-
!2006 election<br />results
!At dissolution
!On election<br />day 2006<sup>1</sup>
!At dissolution
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|row-name}}
|124
|127
|23
|22
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|row-name}}
|103
|95
|67
|58
{{Canadian party colour|CA|BQ|row-name}}
|51
|48
|0
|0
{{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|row-name}}
|29
|30
|1<sup>2</sup>
|0
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|row-name}}
|0
|1<sup>4</sup>
|0
|0
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Independent|row-name}}
|1
|3<sup>3</sup>
|5
|5
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Senate PC|row-name|short}}
|0
|0
|4
|3
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Independent Liberal|row-name}}
|0
|0
|0
|1
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Independent NDP|row-name}}
|0
|0
|0
|1<sup>2</sup>
|-
|colspan=2|'''Total members'''
|'''308'''
|'''304'''
|'''100'''
|'''90'''
{{Canadian party colour|CA|vacant|row-name}}
|0
|4
|5
|15
|-
|colspan=2|Total seats
|colspan=2|308
|colspan=2|105
|}
<sup>1</sup>Members of the Canadian Senate are appointed by the [[Governor General of Canada|governor general]] on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Canada|prime minister]] and remain as senators until the age of 75, even if the House of Commons has been dissolved or an election has been called.<br />
<sup>2</sup>[[Lillian Dyck]] was officially designated as affiliated with the [[New Democratic Party]], despite the fact that the party would not accept her affiliation (due to the party's position on the Senate).  Her official affiliation did not change until October 31, 2006.<br />
<sup>3</sup>[[André Arthur]], [[Louise Thibault]], [[Bill Casey]].<br />
<sup>4</sup> [[Blair Wilson]] as a member of Green Party.

==Major events==

===Floor-crossing===
Five members of parliament [[crossing the floor|crossed the floor]] since the election on January 23, 2006:

On February 6, 2006, [[David Emerson]], elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for [[Vancouver Kingsway]], crossed the floor to join Stephen Harper's cabinet as [[Minister of International Trade]].<ref>{{cite web
| last =CTV.ca News Staff
| title =Former Liberal David Emerson defects to Tories
| publisher = CTVglobemedia
| date =February 6, 2006
| url =http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060206/emerson_defection_060206/20060206
| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060208024020/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060206/emerson_defection_060206/20060206
| url-status =dead
| archive-date =February 8, 2006
| access-date =December 2, 2007 }}</ref>

On January 5, 2007, [[Wajid Khan (Canadian politician)|Wajid Khan]], elected as the Liberal MP for [[Mississauga—Streetsville (federal electoral district)|Mississauga—Streetsville]], crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite news
 |last1        = Weber
 |first1       = Tery
 |last2       = Sallot
 |first2      = Jeff
 |title       = Liberal Khan defects to Conservatives
 |work        = [[The Globe and Mail]]
 |date        = February 5, 2007
 |url         = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/liberal-khan-defects-to-conservatives/article1077727/
 |access-date  = December 2, 2007
 |location    = Toronto
}}</ref>

On February 6, 2007, [[Garth Turner]], elected as a Conservative MP for [[Halton (federal electoral district)|Halton]], moved to the Liberal caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since being suspended from the Tory caucus on October 18, 2006.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Independent MP Garth Turner joins Liberals
| publisher = [[CTV News]]
| date=February 6, 2007
| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/independent-mp-garth-turner-joins-liberals-1.227914
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230721180827/https://www.ctvnews.ca/independent-mp-garth-turner-joins-liberals-1.227914
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = July 21, 2023
| access-date = December 2, 2007 }}</ref>

On June 26, 2007, [[Joe Comuzzi]], elected as a Liberal MP for [[Thunder Bay—Superior North (federal electoral district)|Thunder Bay—Superior North]], moved to the Conservative caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since being suspended from the Liberal caucus on March 21, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|author-link=CTV News |author=CTV.ca News Staff |title=Harper makes it official: Comuzzi joins Tory fold |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/harper-makes-it-official-comuzzi-joins-tory-fold-1.246514 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803120345/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070626/Joe_Comuzzi_07626/20070626?hub=Canada |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |publisher=CTV.ca |date=June 26, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2007 }}</ref>

On August 30, 2008, [[Blair Wilson]] elected as a Liberal MP for [[West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country]], moved to the Green caucus. He had been sitting as an Independent since he resigned from the Liberal caucus on October 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green party announces its first member of Parliament|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/green-party-announces-its-first-member-of-parliament-1.697339|date=August 30, 2008 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906203048/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/08/30/green-party.html |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Liberal leadership===
During the election campaign, the Liberal leader was then-[[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[Paul Martin]]. After the election results were announced, Martin announced his intention to resign, but did not indicate when, other than saying he would not lead the party into the next election. On February 1, 2006, the Liberal Party Caucus chose [[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]] as [[parliamentary leader]], meaning he served as [[Leader of the Opposition (Canada)|Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] until the election of [[Stéphane Dion]] as Liberal leader at the Liberal Party leadership convention, held December 2–3, 2006.

On March 18, 2006 Martin tendered his resignation as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Liberal Leaders Through History
| work =PoliticsWatch 
| publisher = Public Interests Research and Communications Inc
| date = 2000–2001
| url =http://www.politicswatch.com/liberalleadership-2006.html
| access-date =December 2, 2007 }}</ref>

===Five priorities===
[[File:Harper,-Stephen-Jan-23-06.jpg|thumb|left|[[Stephen Harper]] is Prime Minister during the 39th Canadian Parliament. He is seen here giving his victory speech after the 2006 federal election which ended thirteen years of Liberal rule.]]
Prime Minister Harper said he would move forward with his top five priorities from the campaign. At least four of these would require legislative action: the passage of a ''[[Federal Accountability Act]]'' in response to the [[sponsorship scandal]]; setting longer [[mandatory sentencing|mandatory sentences]]; lowering the [[Goods and Services Tax (Canada)|Goods & Services Tax]] to 6% (and eventually to 5%); giving $1,200 for parents per child under the age of 6; and negotiating with the provinces to shorten wait-times<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/parliament39/priorities.html |title=Harper's Priorities |work=In Depth: The 39th Parliament – Harper at the helm |publisher=[[CBC News]]  |date=April 3, 2006 |access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref> (this priority was replaced, post-election, with combating crime by creating more police officers). The child allowance and first GST were in place by July 1, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fin.gc.ca/budget06/brief/briefe.htm |title=Budget 2006: The Budget in Brief 2006 |publisher=Fin.gc.ca |date=January 1, 2000 |access-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619074014/http://www.fin.gc.ca/budget06/brief/briefe.htm |archive-date=June 19, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> On December 6, 2006, another issue many expected to arise in the first session of parliament did, in fact, come to the fore, when the government introduced a motion calling "on the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage without affecting civil unions and while respecting existing same-sex marriages". The next day, the House defeated the motion by a vote of 175 to 123, with six cabinet ministers voting against it, and Harper declared the issue settled.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gloria |last=Galloway |title=Same-sex marriage file closed for good, PM says |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/same-sex-marriage-file-closed-for-good-pm-says/article20417861 |date=December 8, 2006 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref> (See [[Members of the 39th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage]] for more information.) and on January 1, 2008 the second GST reduction came into effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=d2e3014c-f5c5-498e-8d23-90ee5ebad2a4&k=80343 |title=Fiscal update includes GST, tax cuts |publisher=Financialpost.com |date=October 31, 2007 |access-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206125358/http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=d2e3014c-f5c5-498e-8d23-90ee5ebad2a4&k=80343 |archive-date=February 6, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Federal Accountability Act received Royal Assent on December 12, 2006

===Resignations and by-elections===
On September 20, 2006 Liberal MP [[Joe Fontana]] ([[London North Centre (federal electoral district)|London North Centre]]) resigned to run in the London mayoralty election. Fontana was replaced in the riding by Liberal [[Glen Pearson]] after a by-election on November 27, 2006.<ref>{{cite web
| title =London North Centre
| work =Digital Copyright Canada
| publisher = FLORA Community Consulting.
| url =http://www.digital-copyright.ca/edid/35043
| access-date =December 2, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071108105826/http://www.digital-copyright.ca/edid/35043| archive-date= November 8, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Liberal MP [[Jean Lapierre]] declared on January 11, 2007 that he would resign from the Liberal Party at the end of the month to pursue a career in television. This took place on January 28, leaving the [[Outremont (federal electoral district)|Outremont]] district vacant. On July 28, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called by-elections for this and two other Quebec ridings, which were held on September 17, 2007. Newcomer NDP candidate [[Thomas Mulcair]] won this riding over star Liberal candidate Jocelyn Coulon, only the second-ever time Outremont has not been won by a Liberal candidate. Mulcair was previously a Provincial Liberal Cabinet Minister in Quebec.<ref>{{cite news| title=Federal NDP recruits former Quebec Liberal minister|publisher = [[CBC News]]|date=September 18, 2007|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/federal-ndp-recruits-former-quebec-liberal-minister-1.635665 |access-date=December 2, 2007}}</ref>

On February 21, 2007, [[Yvan Loubier]] (representing [[Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot]] for the [[Bloc Québécois]]) resigned in order to run in the [[2007 Quebec general election]]. Loubier was replaced in a by-election on September 17, 2007, by newcomer Bloc candidate [[Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac]].<ref>{{cite web
 |last        = Branswell
 |first       = Jack
 |title       = Tories win Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean byelection
 |publisher   = CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
 |date        = April 20, 2007
 |url         = http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=b4e1efe1-9ed4-4e40-bb51-e7efcf1d1fd5
 |access-date  = December 2, 2007
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108160952/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=b4e1efe1-9ed4-4e40-bb51-e7efcf1d1fd5
 |archive-date = November 8, 2012
 |df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>

One day later, on February 22, veteran Liberal MP and former [[Liberal Party of Canada]] interim leader [[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]] announced that he would not seek reelection in the [[40th Canadian federal election|next federal election]]. On June 19, 2007, Graham announced he would be resigning his [[Toronto Centre (federal electoral district)|Toronto Centre]] seat effective July 2, 2007, to allow former [[Ontario New Democratic Party]] Premier and Liberal Party leadership candidate [[Bob Rae]] to run in the riding.<ref>{{cite web
 |last       = Akin
 |first      = David
 |author-link = David Akin
 |title      = David Akin's On the Hill :: Bill Graham resigns
 |date       = June 19, 2007<!-- 02:55&amp;nbsp;PM EDT
-->
 |url        = http://davidakin.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/6/19/3033513.html
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708073127/http://davidakin.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/6/19/3033513.html
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = July 8, 2011
 |access-date = December 2, 2007
}}</ref> Rae went on to win the Liberal stronghold riding in a March 17, 2008 byelection.<ref name="globeandmail.com">{{cite press release |title=Liberals land three by-election victories |publisher=globeandmail.com |date=March 18, 2007 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |access-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321170930/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080318.wbyelectionupdate0318/BNStory/National/home |archive-date=March 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On March 8, 2007, Liberal MP [[Jim Peterson]] announced that he would not be a candidate in his [[Willowdale (federal electoral district)|Willowdale]] riding in the next federal election. On June 20, 2007, Peterson followed Bill Graham's lead and announced his resignation from the House of Commons, effective July 12. Both Bill Graham and Jim Peterson resigned their seats early in the hope that Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]] would be compelled to add those vacant seats to the scheduled September 17, 2007 by-elections in [[Quebec]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Peterson quits early in hopes of forcing byelection |work=[[Toronto Star]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |date= June 20, 2007 |access-date=July 6, 2006 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/peterson-quits-early-in-hopes-of-forcing-byelection/article_39298dd1-ce6b-5f5c-90b2-e819b33700a0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721180826/https://www.thestar.com/news/peterson-quits-early-in-hopes-of-forcing-byelection/article_39298dd1-ce6b-5f5c-90b2-e819b33700a0.html |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 23, the Tory government announced that it would delay the Ontario by-elections so as not to overlap with the impending [[2007 Ontario general election]] scheduled for October 10, 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghi |first=Brian |title=Tories to delay by-elections |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=July 23, 2007 |access-date=July 27, 2006 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tories-to-delay-by-elections/article1079177/ |location=Toronto }}</ref> When the by-election was eventually held in the riding on March 17, 2008, appointed former Liberal Party leadership candidate [[Martha Hall Findlay]] won handily.<ref name="globeandmail.com"/>

Also in March 2007, Bloc Québécois MP and former BQ House Leader [[Michel Gauthier]] announced that he would not run in the next federal election. He resigned his seat of [[Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean]] on July 29, 2007. Gauthier was replaced in a by-election on September 17, 2007, by newcomer Conservative candidate and former Roberval mayor [[Denis Lebel]].<ref>{{cite news
| title = Quebec byelections to test party popularity
| publisher = [[CBC News]]
| date = September 17, 2007
| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-byelections-to-test-party-popularity-1.667889
| access-date = December 2, 2007}}</ref>

On July 5, 2007, Liberal MP [[Stephen Owen (politician)|Stephen Owen]] announced he would resign his seat of [[Vancouver Quadra]] to accept a position at the [[University of British Columbia]], his resignation effective July 27, 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vancouver Liberal MP Owen sets date to resign seat |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-liberal-mp-owen-sets-date-to-resign-seat-1.654577 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=July 5, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2007 }}</ref> Owen was replaced in the riding by former BC Provincial Liberal MLA [[Joyce Murray]], after a by-election on March 17, 2008.<ref name="globeandmail.com"/>

On July 11, 2007, Liberal MP [[Gary Merasty]] announced he would resign his [[Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River]] seat, due to "family considerations", effective August 31, 2007.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Gary Merasty Steps Down as Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill |publisher=Liberal Party of Canada |date=July 11, 2007 |url=http://www.liberal.ca/story_12970_e.aspx |access-date=November 4, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114150816/http://www.liberal.ca/story_12970_e.aspx| archive-date=November 14, 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> Merasty was replaced in the riding by Conservative newcomer [[Rob Clarke (politician)|Rob Clarke]], after a by-election on March 17, 2008.<ref name="globeandmail.com"/>

On December 12, 2007, Liberal MP [[Lucienne Robillard]] announced she would resign her seat of [[Westmount-Ville-Marie]] effective January 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=hansard&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&DocId=3209459&File=0 |title=Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 036 (Official Version) |publisher=.parl.gc.ca |access-date=December 19, 2009}}</ref>

On March 14, 2008 Bloc MP [[Maka Kotto]] resigned, followed by Liberal MP [[Brenda Chamberlain (politician)|Brenda Chamberlain]] resigned on April 7. Another Liberal MP, [[John Godfrey]], resigned on August 1.

==Major bills and motions==
Important business of the 39th Parliament includes the following [[bill (proposed law)|bills]] and [[motion (democracy)|motions]]. Note that not all of these bills become law. Motions (excepting those which pass bills) have no effect in law. A complete list of bills of the 39th Parliament is on the Parliament's website, divided into bills from the 1st<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E&Session=14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908175657/http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E&Session=14|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2006|title=LEGISINFO - The Library of Parliament's research tool for finding information on legislation|date=September 8, 2006}}</ref> and 2nd<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701133259/http://www.parl.gc.ca/LEGISINFO/index.asp?Language=E&Session=15|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2008|title=LEGISINFO - The Library of Parliament's research tool for finding information on legislation|date=July 1, 2008}}</ref> sessions. On the site, the bills are divided into government bills, [[private member's bill]]s, and [[private bill]]s for both the House and the Senate.

===Noteworthy acts passed by 39th Parliament===

====Federal Accountability Act====
Bill C-2, the ''[[Federal Accountability Act]]'' (officially ''"An Act providing for conflict of interest rules, restrictions on election financing and measures respecting administrative transparency, oversight and accountability"''), received [[Royal Assent]] in the Senate on December 12, 2006, and is now becoming law. The Act plans to reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political donations; create a five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their aides, and senior public servants; provide protection for whistleblowers; and enhancing the power for the [[Auditor General of Canada|Auditor General]] to follow the money spent by the government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-2/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-2 (39-1) - Royal Assent - Federal Accountability Act - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====2006 Canadian federal budget====
Bill C-13 is The [[2006 Canadian federal budget]], which received Royal Assent in the Senate on June 22, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-13/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-13 (39-1) - Royal Assent - Budget Implementation Act, 2006 - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====Extending the Afghan War until 2011====
[[File:Canadian soldiers afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|Canadian soldiers in [[Afghanistan]].]]
A motion in the House to extend Canada's [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|mission in Afghanistan]] by two years was successful. The motion was supported by the Conservatives and 30 Liberal MPs, allowing it to narrowly pass 149–145 on May 17, 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=[[CBC News]] |title=Canada's stay in Afghanistan extended by 2 years |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2006 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-s-stay-in-afghanistan-extended-by-2-years-1.612946 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061211092918/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/17/afghandebate05172006.html| archive-date= December 11, 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> Even outside of government bills, the Prime Minister's support of Canada's action has been a recurring topic, gaining him both supporters and critics among the Canadian population. On March 13, 2008, the mission was further extended until July 2011 by a vote of 197–77, with Conservative and Liberal MPs in favour, and Bloc and NDP MPs opposed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/house/sitting-25/journals|title=Journals No. 25 - May 17, 2006 (39-1) - House of Commons of Canada|website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-2/house/sitting-66/journals|title=Journals No. 66 - March 13, 2008 (39-2) - House of Commons of Canada|website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref>

====Softwood lumber deal====
Bill C-24, the ''"Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006"'' put into effect the deal made between the Canadian and American governments regarding the longstanding softwood lumber debates. The Act received Royal Assent December 14, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-24/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-24 (39-1) - Royal Assent - Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006 - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====Reaffirming the Kyoto Protocol====
A motion passed by the opposition parties (161 for to 115 against) on February 5, 2007 to reaffirm Canada's commitment to the [[Kyoto Protocol]].<ref>{{cite news | author = CBC News | title = House motion passes supporting Kyoto | url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/house-motion-passes-supporting-kyoto-1.689222 |publisher=[[CBC News]] | date = February 5, 2007 | access-date =February 5, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070207023828/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/05/kyoto-vote.html| archive-date= February 7, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The motion may not have any legal effect, but it is related to [[#Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act|Bill C-288]] – which received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007.

====Fixed election dates====
{{wikinews|Fixed election dates to become law in Canadian federal elections}}
Bill C-16, titled ''"An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act"'', is a bill to set fixed election dates. Future elections will be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election. Had Parliament not been dissolved on September 7, 2008 the next general election under this act would have been held on October 19, 2009; instead the [[2008 Canadian federal election|next general election]] took place on October 14, 2008. The provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador have already implemented fixed election dates for their own provincial elections. Bill C-16 passed in the House on November 6, 2006 and the Senate on March 28, 2007. The House began discussing the amendments made in the Senate on April 21, 2007. The House voted against the amendments on April 24, 2007.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Journals (No. 139) |publisher=House of Commons of Canada, 39th Parliament, 1st Session |date=April 24, 2007 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2857890 |access-date=November 4, 2007}}</ref> On May 1, 2007, the Senate chose not to insist on its amendment. The bill received Royal Assent on May 3.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Journals (No. 146) |publisher=House of Commons of Canada, 39th Parliament, 1st Session |date=May 3, 2007 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1&DocId=2896549 |access-date=November 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-16/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-16 (39-1) - Royal Assent - An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====Minimum penalties for offences involving firearms====
Bill C-9, titled ''"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment)"'', is a bill to set minimum penalties for offences involving firearms. Under this act, persons convicted of a serious personal injury offence or a terrorism offence with a term of imprisonment of ten years or more would not be eligible for a [[conditional sentence]]. Bill C-9 passed in the House on November 3, 2006 and was passed by the Senate on May 16, 2007. The bill received [[Royal Assent]] on May 31, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-9/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-9 (39-1) - Royal Assent - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment) - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====Tackling Violent Crime Act====
Bill C-2, titled ''An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Tackling Violent Crime Act)'' was the government's omnibus crime bill which received Royal Assent on February 29, 2008 and amended several pieces of legislation. Among other things, the bill raised the age of consent to 16 from 14, imposed minimum mandatory sentence for crimes involving firearms, instituted a "[[three strikes law|three-strikes-and-you're-out]]" (also known as a "reverse onus sentencing") for habitual offenders, and restricted "house arrest" policies for serious offenders. The bill received [[royal assent]] on February 28, 2008 and sections 1 to 17, 28 to 38, 54, 57 and 58 [[coming into force|went into force]] on May 1, 2008 and sections 18 to 27, 39 to 53, 55, 56, 59 and 60 went into force on July 2, 2008.

====Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act====
Bill C-288, an act of the opposition parties to try to make the government support its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. It received Royal Assent on June 22, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-288/third-reading|title=Private Member's Bill C-288 (39-1) - Third Reading - Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====2007 federal budget====
Bill C-52 is the [[2007 Canadian federal budget]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/bill/C-52/third-reading|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-52 (39-1) - Third Reading - Budget Implementation Act, 2007 - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

====2008 federal budget====
Bill C-50 is the [[2008 Canadian federal budget]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-2/bill/C-50/third-reading|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-50 (39-2) - Third Reading - Budget Implementation Act, 2008 - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref>

===Noteworthy motions passed by 39th Parliament===

====Québécois nationhood====
A successful motion in the House to recognise the [[French-speaking Quebecer|Québécois]] as a [[Québec nationalism|nation within a united Canada]]. The motion was put forward by the [[Stephen Harper|Prime Minister]] in reaction to an announced motion by [[Bloc Québécois]] leader [[Gilles Duceppe]] that would recognise Quebec as a nation, but did not contain the words "in Canada".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Sheppard |work=In Depth: The 39th Parliament |title=Quebec nationalism, a long history |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=November 23, 2006 |access-date=December 11, 2006 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/parliament39/quebecnation-history.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061127191752/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/parliament39/quebecnation-history.html| archive-date=November 27, 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> The motion easily passed 266 to 16, with all party leaders voting in favour, including Duceppe<ref>{{Cite news |work=In Depth: The 39th Parliament |title=How each MP voted on Québécois nationhood |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=November 28, 2006 |access-date=December 11, 2006 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/parliament39/quebecnation-mpvotes.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-1/house/sitting-87/hansard|title=Debates (Hansard) No. 87 - November 27, 2006 (39-1) - House of Commons of Canada|website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref>

====Conscientious Objectors to a War Not Sanctioned by UN====
{{main|Canada and Iraq War Resisters}}
On June 3, 2008, the [[Parliament of Canada]] passed a motion (137 to 110) which recommended that the government immediately implement a program which would "allow [[conscientious objectors]]...to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations...to...remain in Canada..."<ref>{{cite news
| url = https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/mps-vote-to-give-asylum-to-u-s-military-deserters/article_ff700360-80d0-55ac-9097-698a6a6ba871.html
| title = MPs vote to give asylum to U.S. military deserters
| first = Joanna
| last =  Smith
| work = [[Toronto Star]]
| date = June 3, 2008
| access-date =July 19, 2008
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080702013751/http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/436575| archive-date= July 2, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteePublication.aspx?SourceId=222011|title=Report – Iraq War Resisters / Rapport –Opposants a la guerre en Irak|publisher=House of Commons / Chambre des Communes, Ottawa, Canada|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213025638/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3204056&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2|archive-date=February 13, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&DocId=3543213#Int-2506938|title=Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 104 (Official Version)|publisher=House of Commons / Chambre des Communes, Ottawa, Canada|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=September 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928155112/https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-2/house/sitting-104/hansard#Int-2506938|url-status=dead}}</ref> The motion gained international attention from ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/world/americas/16deport.html?_r=2&ref=americas&oref=slogin&oref=slogin | work=[[The New York Times]] | title=Canada Expels an American Deserter From the Iraq War | first=Ian | last=Austen | date=July 16, 2008 | access-date=April 23, 2010 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>  Britain's [[BBC]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7444116.stm |title=Head-to-head: Refuge for deserters? |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=December 19, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100122073409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7444116.stm| archive-date= January 22, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and the New Zealand press.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2006457 |title=US army deserters appeals deportation from Canada |publisher=Tvnz.co.nz |date=August 15, 2008 |access-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925190104/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2006457 |archive-date=September 25, 2008 }}</ref>

==== Jordan's Principle ====
{{main|Jordan's Principle}}
Private Member's Motion 296 which stated "That, in the opinion of the House, the government should immediately adopt a child first principle, based on Jordan's Principle, to resolve jurisdictional disputes involving the care of First Nations children." was passed unanimously in the House of Commons on December 12, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Journals No. 36 - December 12, 2007 (39-2)|url=http://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/39-2/house/sitting-36/journals|website=ourcommons.ca|publisher=House of Commons of Canada|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>

===Failed acts and motions===

====Re-opening the same-sex marriage debate====
{{main|Members of the 39th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage}}
A government motion to reopen the [[same-sex marriage]] debate failed. The [[38th Canadian Parliament]], led by the Liberals, had legalized same-sex marriage a year earlier. Several provinces had legalized same-sex marriage before that. During his campaign, Harper promised a parliamentary vote on reopening the issue. The motion failed 175–123 leaving same-sex marriage legal in Canada and the legal debate about it closed.<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=[[CBC News]] |title=MPs defeat bid to reopen same-sex marriage debate |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=December 11, 2006 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mps-defeat-bid-to-reopen-same-sex-marriage-debate-1.599856}}</ref>

====Extending anti-terror laws====
A failed government motion (159 opposed to 124 in favour) to renew certain sunsetted provisions of the [[Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act|''Anti-terrorism Act'']], first passed by the Liberals after [[9/11]] that suspended some civil liberties in order to combat terrorism.<ref>{{cite news |title=MPs vote against extending anti-terrorism measures |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mps-vote-against-extending-anti-terrorism-measures-1.662367 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=February 28, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302030313/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/27/terror-vote.html| archive-date= March 2, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:Senate of Canada.jpg|thumb|The government introduced multiple bills to reform the Senate of Canada, none of which became laws.]]

===Acts that died on the Order Paper===

====Eight-year Senate terms====
Bill C-19 (previously Bill S-4) titled ''An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure)'' was a bill to limit new [[Senate of Canada|Senators']] tenure to eight-year terms.<ref>{{cite web
| title =Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
| work =1st Session, 39th Parliament, Volume 143, Issue 70
| publisher =Senate of Canada Parliament of Government of Canada
| year =2007
| url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/Sen/Chamber/391/Debates/070db_2007-02-14-e.htm
| access-date =December 2, 2007 }}</ref> Currently, senators can stay in office until they reach the age of 75. The bill was first introduced by the government in the Senate on May 30, 2006. After consideration in committee and making amendments to the bill, the Senate recommended that the bill not be proceeded with until such time as the Supreme Court of Canada had ruled with respect to its constitutionality, which had not occurred prior to dissolution. The bill was reintroduced in the second session as a Commons bill on November 13, 2007, but did not become law before the session ended.

====Senate Appointment Consultations Act====
Bill C-20 (previously Bill C-43), titled ''"An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate"'', was a bill to hold [[referendum]]s on Senate appointments, introduced December 13, 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|author=CTV.ca News Staff |publisher=CTV.ca |title=PM to bring 'democracy' to choice of senators |date=December 13, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2006 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061213/senate_elexn_061213/20061213?hub=TopStories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215003157/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061213/senate_elexn_061213/20061213?hub=TopStories |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2006 }}</ref> The bill did not pass by the end of the 1st session of parliament, and was reintroduced in the 2nd session on November 13, 2007. The bill was sent to a legislative committee before second reading on February 13, 2008, but it did not become law before the end of the session.

====Expanding the House of Commons====
Bill C-22 (previously Bill C-56), titled ''"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation)"'' was a bill which would add 22 seats to the House of Commons. This would increase the number to 330 seats, although these seats probably will not be in use until at least 2014. Under the proposed plan, [[Ontario]] would gain ten seats, [[British Columbia]] would get another seven seats, and [[Alberta]] would receive another five seats. The bill did not pass by the end of the 1st session of parliament, and was reintroduced in the 2nd session. The bill was delayed by an amendment by the Bloc and did not become law by the end of the session.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill C-22: Status of the Bill |work=LEGISINFO |publisher=Library of Parliament |date=June 17, 2008 |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E&Session=14&query=4965&List=toc |access-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607111447/http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E |archive-date=June 7, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

====Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006====
{{main|Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006}}
Bill C-10 (previously Bill C-33), among a long list of minor changes to tax law contained a controversial clause that would give the government power to deny taxation benefits for films made in Canada if the government deems the content to be objectionable. [[David Cronenberg]] and [[Sarah Polley]] argued it is equivalent to censorship because most Canadian films cannot afford to be produced without government assistance.<ref name="straight">{{cite news |first=Charlie |last=Smith |title= Bill C-10 is Canada's new culture war |work=Georgia Straight |date=June 12, 2008 |access-date=March 13, 2009 |url=https://www.straight.com/article-149268/canadas-new-culture-war?rotator=1 }}</ref> The Bill was passed in the House October 29, 2007, but opposition parties later said that they did not notice the controversial part and several Senators have said that they intend to send the Bill back to the House.

====Bill C-61 (39th Canadian Parliament, 2nd Session)====
{{main|Bill C-61 (39th Canadian Parliament, 2nd Session)}}
Bill C-61, titled ''An Act to amend the Copyright Act'', automatically died before second reading when the 39th Parliament was dissolved prematurely and an election was called by the [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] [[Michaëlle Jean]] at Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]]'s request on September 7, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itworldcanada.com/redirect-idgml|title=This page is temporarily unavailable|website=IT World Canada}}</ref> The controversial bill was tabled in 2008 during the second session of the 39th Canadian Parliament by Minister of Industry [[Jim Prentice]].

==Members==
{{main|List of House members of the 39th Parliament of Canada|List of senators in the 39th Parliament of Canada}}

==Officeholders==

===Speakers===

* Hon. [[Peter Milliken]] (the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] member for [[Kingston and the Islands (federal electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]]) was re-elected Speaker of the House of Commons on April 3, 2006. He defeated [[Diane Marleau]] (the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Sudbury (federal electoral district)|Member for Sudbury]]) and [[Marcel Proulx]] (the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Hull—Aylmer|Member for Hull—Aylmer]]) on the first ballot, becoming only the third Speaker from an opposition party in history.<ref name="house speakers">{{cite web|author=Government of Canada|publisher=Library of Parliament|title=Speakers of the Canadian House of Commons|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/SP-BL/hoc-cdc/index.asp?Language=E|access-date=November 3, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071113212348/http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/SP-BL/hoc-cdc/index.asp?Language=E |archive-date = November 13, 2007}}</ref>
* Hon. [[Noël Kinsella]] is the [[Speaker of the Senate of Canada|Speaker of the Senate]] (a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] Senator for [[New Brunswick]]).<ref name="senate speakers">{{cite web|author=Government of Canada |publisher=Library of Parliament |title=Speakers of the Senate |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/Key/SP-BL/sen/index.asp?Language=E |access-date=November 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113212354/http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/SP-BL/sen/index.asp?Language=E |archive-date=November 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>

====Other chair occupants====
'''House of Commons'''
* Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole – Hon. [[Bill Blaikie]] (the [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] [[Elmwood—Transcona|Member for Elmwood—Transcona]]). An [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|MP]] since 1979, he is the longest-serving current Member of the House.<ref>{{cite web
| title =The Speaker – House of Commons Canada – Deputy Speakers The Hon. Bill Blaikie
| publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site
| url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Blaikie_e.html
| access-date =December 2, 2007 }}</ref>
* Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole — [[Royal Galipeau]] (the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Ottawa—Orléans|Member for Ottawa—Orléans]]). He is the first member of Parliament to hold this position without previous parliamentary experience.<ref>{{cite web
| title =The Speaker – House of Commons Canada – Deputy Speakers Royal Galipeau
| publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site
| url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Galipeau_e.html
| access-date =December 2, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071225045346/http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/House/Speaker/deputy_speakers/Galipeau_e.html| archive-date= December 25, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole — [[Andrew Scheer]] (the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] [[Regina—Qu'Appelle|Member for Regina—Qu'Appelle]]). As one of Canada's youngest [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|MPs]], is a vocal advocate of western concerns.<ref>{{cite web
| title =The Speaker – House of Commons Canada – Deputy Speakers Andrew Scheer
| publisher =Parliament of Canada Web Site
| url =http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/speaker/deputy_speakers/Scheer_e.html
| access-date =December 2, 2007 }}</ref>

'''Senate'''
* [[Speaker pro tempore of the Canadian Senate]] — Hon. [[Rose-Marie Losier-Cool]] (a [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] Senator for [[New Brunswick]]).

===Leaders===
* [[Prime Minister of Canada]]: Rt. Hon. [[Stephen Harper]] (Conservative)
* [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Canada)|Leader of the Opposition]] (Liberal):
*# Hon. [[Bill Graham (Canadian politician)|Bill Graham]] (interim)
*# Hon. [[Stéphane Dion]] (from December 2, 2006)
* [[Bloc Québécois]] leader: [[Gilles Duceppe]]
* [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] leader: Hon. [[Jack Layton]]
* [[Green Party of Canada]] leader: [[Elizabeth May]]<small> (from outside the House)</small>

{{further|28th Canadian Ministry|Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada|Bloc Québécois Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada|New Democratic Party Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Parliament of Canada}}

===Floor leaders===
The following were the parties' floor leaders during the 39th Parliament:<ref name="house leaders">{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/ParliamentaryLeaders/Party.aspx |title=Party House Leaders |access-date=November 4, 2007 |author=Government of Canada |date=January 15, 2007 |work=ParlInfo |publisher=Library of Parliament |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410004734/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/ParliamentaryLeaders/Party.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''House of Commons'''
* [[Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Canada)|Government House Leader]]: Hon. [[Peter Van Loan]]
* [[Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons|Opposition House Leader]]: Hon. [[Ralph Goodale]]
* Bloc Québécois House leader:
*# [[Michel Gauthier]] (until April 20, 2007)
*# [[Pierre Paquette]] (from April 20, 2007)
* New Democratic Party House leader: [[Libby Davies]]

'''Senate'''
* [[Leader of the Government in the Senate (Canada)|Leader of the Government in the Senate]]: Hon. [[Marjory LeBreton]]
* [[Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Canada)|Leader of the Opposition in the Senate]]: Hon. [[Céline Hervieux-Payette]]

===Whips===
The party whips in this Parliament were as follows:<ref name="whips">{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/Whips.aspx |title=Whips |access-date=November 4, 2007 |author=Government of Canada |date=January 15, 2007 |work=ParlInfo |publisher=Library of Parliament |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410005418/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/PoliticalOfficers/HouseOfCommons/Whips.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Chief Government Whip (Canada)|Chief Government Whip]]: Hon. [[Jay Hill (politician)|Jay Hill]]
* Deputy Government Whip: [[Pierre Lemieux]]
* Official Opposition Whip: Hon. [[Karen Redman]]
* Bloc Québécois Whip: [[Michel Guimond]]
* New Democratic Party Whip: [[Yvon Godin]]

===Other notable members===
* [[Right Honourable]] [[Paul Martin]], [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]], former Prime Minister sitting the back benches as Member of Parliament for [[LaSalle—Émard]]

==By-elections==
{{Main|By-elections to the 39th Canadian Parliament}}
{{:By-elections to the 39th Canadian Parliament}}

==Major reports and inquiries==

* "[[Rail Safety Act Review]]", Chaired by the Hon. [[Doug Lewis (politician)|Doug Lewis]] reported 31 October 2007;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tcss/RSA_review/tor-455.htm|title=Terms of Reference|first=Transport Canada|last=Government of Canada|date=July 9, 2009|website=www.tc.gc.ca}}</ref> discussed in TRAN committee 12 November 2007;<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcommons.ca/en/parliamentary-business|title=Parliamentary Business Events, Calendar, and Publications - House of Commons of Canada|website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref> tabled in House of Commons by the Hon. [[Lawrence Cannon]] on 7 March 2008<ref name="auto"/>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180709123250/https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/Parliament/profile?parliamentId=44 Library of Parliament:  Profile – 39th Canadian Parliament]

==Succession==
{{Canada parliaments}}
{{Stephen Harper}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2006A}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2008A}}

[[Category:39th Canadian Parliament| ]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:2008 disestablishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Minority governments of Canada]]