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House Of Commons Canada: MPs Play Musical Chairs As New Parliamentary Session Begins

Musical Chairs In The House
Flickr: Tomato Geezer

It is musical chairs in the chamber once again.

A new seating chart was circulated Monday morning showing former NDP MP Lise St-Denis' new spot with the Liberal caucus.

St-Denis will be sitting in the back row with rookie P.E.I. MP Sean Casey. The empty seat next to them is the Toronto-Danforth seat left vacant by Jack Layton (the byelection there has yet to be called).

Conservative turned independent Peter Goldring is sitting near the overflow Tory caucus and the NDP backbench on the opposite side of the government. The Edmonton East MP has removed himself from the Conservative caucus while he attempts to clear his name after being charged with failing to provide a breath sample. He pled not guilty in an Edmonton courtroom last week.

On the government's side, Steven Fletcher, the minister of state for Transport, has taken a medical leave of absence but still figures prominently on the Tories' front bench.

In a statement on his website earlier this month, Fletcher said:

"I will shortly be undergoing medical treatment that will require some substantial recovery time, during which I will be unable to perform all of my duties as Minister of State (Transport). I am pleased with my medical team and appreciate the support and good wishes of friends, colleagues, and constituents.

As this is a personal health matter, I ask that my privacy be respected at this time."

New House of Commons seating chart.

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althia.raj@huffingtonpost.com

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