HAFF Committee News Release

NEWS RELEASE

Ottawa, May 15, 2001 – Derek Lee, M.P. (Scarborough-Rouge River), the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, today tabled a report in the House of Commons recommending an adjustment to the parliamentary calendar.  This change is designed to enable more Members of Parliament to spend time with their young families during school breaks between Christmas and Easter.

The Report, which has all-party support, is a response to numerous requests from individual Members that the House of Commons recognize the demands and stresses on family life of political life, and that it organize its sitting schedule so as to better respect family responsibilities.

There is no consistency in the scheduling of school breaks across the country, and Easter is a variable holiday.  While the proposed amendment will not accommodate all families, it will increase the likelihood that, over the course of two or three years, most Members would be able to spend some school breaks away from the House and with their children.

As Mr. Lee said, “The purpose is to increase the likelihood for MPs who have families that the parliamentary recess will coincide with some of the school break weeks that occur in the month of March.  We want to enhance the potential for the quality family time for Members.”

The total number of sitting weeks of the House of Commons does not change.  The proposed change does permit the Speaker, after consultation, to adjust the sitting schedule on an annual basis.  This may result in the House resuming its sittings earlier in January, in order to permit a longer adjournment in March.

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Janet Marshall

996-9681