This is culled from the briefing books given to MP Rob Nicholson when he was sworn in back in February of 2006 as Government House Leader and Minister for Democratic Reform.... The Governor General then reads the Speech from the Throne, after which, the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the MPs return to the House of Commons. The business for the day's sitting then proceeds: The Prime Minister moves for leave to Introduce the pro forma Bill C-I, An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office (this bill does not proceed and is introduced only to assert the House's right to pass legislation and conduct debates); The Speaker reports receipt of a copy of the Speech from the Throne; The Prime Minister moves that the Speech from the Throne be considered either later that day or on some future day; The Speaker announces the membership of the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy; The Prime Minister moves the appointments of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and an Assistant Deputy Chairman of Cornmrttees of the Whole; The President of the Treasury Board moves a continuing Order for the consideration of Supply; Two backbench MPs (selected In advance by the Prime Minister) move and second the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, usually on the same day as the Speech; and The debate on the Throne Speech Is then usually adjourned by the Leader of the Opposition until the next day.

He's one has a little fun with the obsession with the horse race approach to political coverage in the most recent New Yorker: Cheering the Obama camp, particularly after his Middle East visits, a Fox News/Toronto Star/Amway poll, released but not yet caught, charts a severe downturn in support for efforts not to not repeal the NAFTA treaty. But the influence on French public opinion of the marriage of President Nicolas Sarkozy and international hottie Carla Bruni will have to wait until tomorrow. Meanwhile, the normally reliable Quinnipiac University poll was travelling and was unavailable for comment.