38th Canadian Parliament

The 38th Canadian Parliament was in session from October 4, 2004, until November 29, 2005. The membership was set by the 2004 federal election on June 28, 2004, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections, but due to the seat distribution, those few changes significantly affected the distribution of power. It was dissolved prior to the 2006 election.
There was one session of the 38th Parliament:

Overview

The 38th Canadian Parliament was controlled by a Liberal Party minority under Prime Minister Paul Martin and the 27th Canadian Ministry. The Official Opposition was the Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper.
The Speaker was Peter Milliken. See also List of Canadian federal electoral districts for a list of the ridings in this parliament.

Party standings

The party standings as of the election and as of dissolution were as follows:

Major events

The parliament was dissolved following a vote of non-confidence passed on 28 November by the opposition Conservatives, supported by the New Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois. Consequently, a federal election was held on 23 January 2006 to choose the next parliament.

Legislation and motions

Important bills of the 38th parliament included:

Bill C-32 – the Department of Foreign Affairs Act to split DFAIT in two departments, was a surprise defeat for the government
Bill C-38 – the Civil Marriage Act, legalized Same-sex marriage across Canada.
Bill C-43 – the Canadian federal budget, 2005
Bill C-48 – an NDP add-on to the 2005 budget

Ministry

The 27th Canadian Ministry was formed during the 37th Canadian Parliament and lasted for the entirety of the 28th Parliament.

Changes to Party Standings

Floor-crossings

In early 2005 Ontario Member of Parliament Belinda Stronach crossed the floor to the Liberal Party after running for Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and coming in second to Stephen Harper. She ended her public relationship with Conservative MP Peter MacKay.