house of commons

NDP

 

OTTAWA – Today’s ruling by the House of Commons Speaker finding a prima facie question of privilege sets an important precedent by re-asserting the primacy of Parliament, and is a first step towards reigning in the government's secretive approach to the Afghan detainee file, say New Democrats.

 

“Today the Speaker has issued a serious reminder to the Prime Minister that he is not a king. His refusal to respect the will of Parliament is a serious abuse of power and today it is absolutely clear that it will not be tolerated,” says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “The Speaker's ruling is an important step in reigning in the Prime Minister's unaccountable approach to this and other issues.”

 

Members of Parliament from three parties -- Conservative, Liberal, and New Democrat -- tabled petitions with thousands of signatures seeking to stop the extradition to the U.S. of online marijuana seed seller, Marc Emery.
House of Commons - Monday, March 15, 2010

The three MP's who displayed personal integrity by presenting the petitions are:
* Conservative MP, Scott Reid (Ontario)
* NDP MP, Libby Davies (Vancouver East)
* Liberal MP, Ujjal Dosanjh (Vancouver South)

I am very concerned by Prime Minister Harper’s decision to yet again prorogue Parliament.

Suspending sittings of the House to try to “change the channel” and prevent Parliamentary and media scrutiny of government legislation and government decisions flies in the face of democracy.