Current Canadian Federal Legislation

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Current Canadian Federal Legislation

Canadian politics can move slowly or very quickly depending on the makeup of the government in power. Elections determine the number of seats a political party holds in Parliament.

If the winning party in an election possesses more than 50 percent of the seats in Parliament, it is called a majority government. In a majority government, laws and platforms are generally passed and implemented quickly. The ruling government in a majority sets the platform and bills from other parties are rarely considered.

But because Canada has a multi-party system, it is possible for the winning party in an election possesses less than 50 percent of the seats in Parliament. This forms a minority government and forces party leaderships to form agreements or coalitions to get laws passed. Without such agreements, the party in power runs the risk of being outvoted or overturned at every step.

The current federal government in Canada is a minority government.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party currently hold 143 seats in the House of Commons – known as the House – while the Liberal Party holds 77 seats and the New Democratic Party holds 37 seats. The Bloc Quebecois holds 49 seats and independents hold two seats.

Harper won re-election on Oct. 14, 2008, but since then, the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois have discussed forming a coalition to outvote or someday overturn the Conservatives. So far, the opposition parties have not been able to overturn or oust Harper’s Conservatives.

Federal legislation:

Federal excise tax on diesel fuel:
The Harper platform in October 2008 included a reduction in the federal excise tax on diesel fuel from 4 cents per liter to 2 cents per liter. Harper has discussed phasing the tax out altogether to keep the economy moving.

Harper and top ministers in government have been working on the next budget as well as a federal stimulus package that includes money for transportation.

Federal carbon tax:
There is also a federal bill on carbon tax credits to keep an eye on. The federal government has at times considered implementing a tax on carbon emissions. The definition includes trucking operations. Link to the latest Senate bill here:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/Senate/Bills/401/public/S-217/S-217_1/S-217_cover-e.htm

Last updated April 9, 2009 by David Tanner, david_tanner@landlinemag.com