The House of Commons returns for the first sitting of 2013 after a 46-day break (aside from a brief recall on Dec. 14 before a Royal Assent ceremony in the Senate chamber).
When MPs last sat on Dec. 12, question period focused on the government's approval of CNOOC's takeover of Nexen. That same day, the government tabled a KPMG audit on the costs of fighter jet procurement amidst continuing questions over the F-35.
Monday begins with a private member's bill (C-457) from Bloc MP André Bellavance to repeal the Clarity Act. In fact, the entire bill has one clause:
1. The Clarity Act, chapter 26 of the Statutes of Canada, 2000, is repealed.
Bellavance's preamble points to the House of Commons formally recognizing Québécois nationhood in 2006 -- and its right to self-determination.
Jean Chrétien's Liberal government passed the law after the narrow federalist victory in the 1995 Quebec referendum and a Supreme Court opinion on secession. The Clarity Act requires the House of Commons to agree that future questions show a "clear expression of a will by a clear majority of the population of that province that the province cease to be part of Canada."
Watch Bloc Leader Daniel Paille discuss the bill on Revue politique (October 2012)
Also on the Order Paper: Bill C-48, which amends several tax laws. Question Period begins at approximately 2:15pm ET / 11:15am PT.
In Committee
The Commons ethics committee meets behind closed doors to discuss their study on privacy and social media. Three procedural subcommittees (defence, justice, and heritage) also meet in camera.
The Senate resumes sitting on Tuesday, Feb. 5.
-Andrew Thomson
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