Prime Minister announces schedule for the opening of Parliament

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Governor General, on his recommendation, has signed a Proclamation to summon Parliament to meet at 11:00 a.m. on April 3, 2006, for the dispatch of business.  The election of the Speaker of the House of Commons will take place on that day.

On April 4, 2006, ceremonies marking the opening of the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament will begin at 3:00 p.m. followed by the Speech from the Throne to be read by the Governor General at 3:35 p.m.