Parliament’s Plate – Wednesday, Sept. 26

The calmness of this morning should quickly shift into mayhem, once members of each party emerge from their weekly huddle and strategy session.

As this was being published, there were reports that Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, the 40-year-old son of late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, will confirm his intention to run for leadership of the floundering federal party.

While many eyes focus on him, there’s also a full legislative agenda awaiting MPs once they leave their caucus rooms make their ways to the House of Commons.

Perhaps one of the more anticipated items is this evening’s vote on Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth’s motion to launch a federal study to help determine when exactly a baby becomes a human — as an embryo, a fetus or when it is exiting the birth canal?

The motion has taken criticism from pro-choicers, who say it is little more than a back-door to reopening the abortion debate — a claim Woodworth denies.

For his part, Woodworth says it’s merely about opening up the definition of “human being” that is hundreds of years old, and to let contemporary scientists and legal experts weigh in.

Some MPs have already made it clear which side of the line they’re on, including the prime minister who has said he will not vote in favour of the motion, and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who said he will.

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For most others, we will have to wait until the item goes to a vote this evening, shortly after 5:30.

MPs will also vote tonight on Conservative MP Roxanne James’ private member’s bill, with which she aims to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to prohibit offenders who persistently file “vexatious or frivolous” complaints and grievances from filing further ones without permission from the commissioner. If passed, the bill will go off to the Senate for further scrutiny.

Before all that, however, the House will take its first crack at debating Human Resources Minister Diane Finley’s proposed changes to Employment Insurance. The changes, if passed, will allow an employee to take leave when a child is critically ill or dies or disappears as a results of a crime.

Out in British Columbia, Premier Christy Clark is still dealing with the fallout from her chief of staff’s untimely departure, which followed a nondescript “inappropriate incident.”

With the details of said incident still hazy at best, it seems Clark won’t be the one to help clear the air, judging by her appearance before media yesterday.

Out on the other side of the country, the Nova Scotia finance minister says the province will be looking at a deficit of $249 million in 2012-13, representing a growth $38 million, despite a promise a few months ago to balance the books by the next spring.

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, who is dealing with a $15-billion deficit, is gearing up to unveil his plan today that will force restraint in public-sector compensation. The unions are expected to draft their battle plan shortly Duncan reveals his.

In Montreal, the Charbonneau Commission continues, where observers yesterday saw direct lines drawn between construction magnates and some of the highest-ranking figures in the Italian mafia.

Back on the Hill, the House finance committee will be looking at Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s bid to create the position of Financial Literacy leader. If this legislation passes, the position would be appointed by the government and “exercise leadership at the national level to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians.”

Over in the Senate, the aboriginal peoples committee continues its study of the evolving recognition and rights of Metis in Canada.

Don’t forget, with Parliament back in full swing, take the chance to rateparliament.ca.

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