by-election in Burlington; Markham; and York South–Weston electoral districts. February 19 – During a live interview on CKRS in Saguenay, Quebec, talk radio host Louis Champagne attacks Parti Québécois candidate Sylvain Gaudreault and leader André Boisclair, both openly gay, in an interview with PQ candidate Alexandre Cloutier, asking "In Jonquière, listen, aren't you going to face the question, 'Is the Parti Québécois a club of fags?'" February 20 – The Canadian government, along with American billionaire Bill Gates, announce the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative, a $139 million dollar plan to fight the AIDS virus. March 13 – Canada 2006 Census data is released; the population of Canada in 2006 was 31,612,897. Notably, the census also indicates that for the first time in Canadian history, the three territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut) have a combined population of over 100,000. March 26 – Quebec general election. April to June April 3 – Royal assent is granted to the Veterans' Bill of Rights. April 27 – Three new Laval metro stations are inaugurated. (see Montreal Metro) April 30 – Prince Andrew, fourth in line to the Canadian throne, arrives in Canada to undertake duties in Halifax, Toronto and Cambridge May 3 – Fixed election dates introduced at the federal level. May 18 – Governor General Michaëlle Jean appoints Pierre Duchesne as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec May 22 – The general election in Manitoba is won by the governing New Democrats. May 23 – Jordan Manners is the first Torontonian killed in a school shooting. May 28 – Prince Edward Island election. Robert Ghiz's Liberals win a majority, defeating Premier Pat Binns' Progressive Conservatives June 2 – Prince Harry, third in line to the Canadian throne, arrives at CFB Suffield to train for a possible deployment to Afghanistan June 2 – Princess Anne arrives in Saskatchewan to undertake various official duties June 7 – Pierre Duchesne becomes Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, replacing Lise Thibault June 12 – Robert Ghiz becomes Premier of Prince Edward Island, replacing Pat Binns June 18 – Passenger Protect goes into effect June 22 – CTVglobemedia's takeover of CHUM Limited (excepting Citytv, which is slated for sale to Rogers Communications) is completed. June 29 – A national Aboriginal Day of Protest, including blockades of several major transportation routes in Ontario and Quebec, is held to protest the state of First Nations relations with the federal government. July to September