Working less and less hard for the money

For the record, and perhaps contrary to appearances, our MPs have worked less than they did in 2008. But only barely.

To wit, some numbers I’d been meaning to run—total number of sitting days for the House of Commons by year. Presented now as a bit of a sidebar to Paul’s contention that we are presently without what would generally be considered a coherent government.

2008 93
2007 117
2006 97
2005 114
2004 101
2003 108
2002 125
2001 134
2000 92
1999 117
1998 122
1997 94
1996 122
1995 135
1994 147

(Hansard’s online calendars seem to end there. Anyone with older numbers is invited to send them along.)

The years 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008 were election years.

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From 1994 through 2002, the Commons sat an average of 121 days per year. From 2003 through 2008, the Commons sat an average of 105 days.

By Prime Minister, the averages are as follows: Jean Chretien 119.6 days, Paul Martin 107.5 days, Stephen Harper 102.3 days.