The New Democratic Party has vowed to introduce new rules for prorogation when Parliament returns.
"The government should only prorogue Parliament on a vote in the House of Commons. This will inform the Governor General of the will of the majority, so that prorogation happens when it is needed – not simply when the Prime Minister feels like it," NDP leader Jack Layton said in a release.
The proposals came out of an three-day NDP caucus retreat in Wakefield, Quebec.
"Stephen Harper won the election with the promise of a new day in Ottawa... But that new day never dawned. Instead we have more secrets, more arrogance and more disdain for the elected House of the people of Canada," Layton said.
"There's a new politics; a grassroots politics driven by Canadians. Ordinary Canadians coming together to organize town halls and rallies; joining social networking groups, making their voices heard in new media," the NDP leader added. "But the new politics needs new rules to make Parliament stronger."
Layton has said the NDP will support the more than 50 local anti-prorogation rallies scheduled to take place this weekend, and will return his caucus to Ottawa on January 25 as previously scheduled.
Anti-prorogation events are planned for Duncan, Kamloops, Kelowna, Maple Ridge, Nanaimo, Penticton, Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria and Whitehorse, among other cities.
Monte Paulsen reports for The Tyee.
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freebear
2 years ago
Would it be a 'confidence' vote Jack?
I have no confidence in any of the political parties who all subscribe to unsustainable capitalism!
alive
2 years ago
confidence ot not
ok freebear.
So what would you suggest we do?
Even the NDP has to work with the system we have, only hoping to slowly educating the voters about the alternatives.
Dropping out is not an option, because it will not in any way create a change.
sunshine coast girl
2 years ago
Absolutely!
We don't live in a democracy when one man and one woman can shut down our Parliament! This change is long, long overdue. Go Jack!
Fiat lux
2 years ago
The main problem is that the
The main problem is that the GG doesn't have enough experience to say "NO" to the PM and became a controlled tool under his thumb.
Ed Deak.
freebear
2 years ago
You can keep 'knocking your head against a wall'
Eventually you get a headache!
"ok freebear.
So what would you suggest we do?
Even the NDP has to work with the system we have, only hoping to slowly educating the voters about the alternatives.
Dropping out is not an option, because it will not in any way create a change."
The coming economic meltdown is what is need to illuminate the folly of endless pursuit of growth on a finite planet!