The Parliament, which had been prorogued on December 4, 2008, met this day at Ottawa for the dispatch of business.

The House met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair.

The Speaker read a communication from the Secretary to the Governor General announcing that Their Excellencies, the Governor General and Jean-Daniel Lafond, would arrive at the Peace Tower at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009, and that when it was indicated that all was in readiness, Their Excellencies would proceed to the chamber of the Senate to formally open the second session of the 40th Parliament of Canada.

A message was delivered by the Usher of the Black Rod as follows:

Mr. Speaker, it is the desire of Her Excellency the Governor General that this honourable House attend her immediately in the Senate chamber.

Accordingly the Speaker with the House went up to the Senate chamber.

And being returned to the Commons chamber: