Greetings All. The Opening of the new session of Parliament has taken place with the Speech from the Throne being read in the Senate by the Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson. The speech contained a number of promises, including the establishment of an independent Ethics Commissioner that would report directly to the House of Commons and an Ethics Officer for the Senate. Promises were made that Members of Parliament would be given more free votes and that they would be given greater powers so that they could actually reflect the wishes of their constituents in the business of the country. We hope that this promise in particular is honoured. Other promises were made but it remains to be seen if any are followed through by the new government of Paul Martin. We are only too aware of many past promises that have been forgotten, or that have been lost in the shuffle of business considered to be of greater priority. As with all things, only time will tell what will happen. Following the reading of the Speech from the Throne, MPs returned to the House of Commons where the first sitting of the new session is taking place as I write this. Debate on the Speech is proceeding and so far it promises to be hot and heavy. It is expected this debate will likely take up most of this week. Prior to the debate on the Speech the House Speaker made a number of announcements. Of particular note is that all Private Member Bills, with the exception of those made by Members who no longer sit in the House will be brought forward to the new Session at the same stage they had reached during the previous Session and they would retain the same numbers held before. No mention has yet been made regarding other unfinished business, including Bill S-13, being brought forward. While Private Member Bills being brought forward is covered under House Standing Rules it is my understanding that to bring other unfinished business forward there must be motions passed in the House. My assumption is that such motions could be made to bring forward all unfinished business, or to bring forward only specific Bills. We will be watching CPAC closely for the next while to see what happens. Happy Hunting Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted.