December 30, 2009

Prorogation of Parliament Undemocratic

(Kamloops) Local federal NDP candidate Michael Crawford called Prime Minister Harper's plan to prorogue Parliament fundamentally undemocratic and a shameful attempt to avoid accountability on the Afghanistan detainee issue.

"Prorogation should be used only when the legislative agenda is completed or nearing completion so that the government can introduce a new agenda through a throne speech" said Crawford. "Instead Harper is using prorogation to avoid tough questions on the treatment of Afghan detainees transferred by Canada's military to Afghan forces".

"This simply makes a mockery of the Canadian parliamentary system and one might hope that the Governor General, whose job it is to protect democracy, will consider refusing Harper's request."

This isn't the first time the Prime Minister has flaunted the rules. The October 2008 election was a result of Harper dissolving Parliament, in violation of his own fixed election date legislation, thinking that he could achieve a majority government. In December of 2008 Harper prorogued Parliament to avoid a non-confidence vote.

"It should be clear to Canadians that this Prime Minister and this government will use any means to avoid accountability and to retain power" said Crawford.

"This is not consistent with responsible government and resembles more the actions of a third world despot" said Crawford. "I suppose Harper will now appoint more Conservative senators - something he said he would not do - and Canadians will still see no action on the Afghanistan file, the implementation of the Copenhagen climate change accord, consumer protection, and pension reform".