The recent decision by Stephen Harper to prorogue Parliament marks the fourth time he has shut down Parliament and derailed the nation\u2019s business. In September of 2007, September of 2008, December of 2008, and again in December of 2009, Stephen Harper has prevented Parliamentarians from doing their jobs. Combined, this Conservative government has left Canadians without a functioning Parliament for a grand total of 148 days in just four years in office.<\/p>\n
Proroguing Parliament is an attempt to eliminate tools used to hold Government to account. The Conservative government intentionally shut down Question Period, Parliamentary committees, order paper questions and media scrutiny so the government\u2019s cover up on Afghan detainee torture and failure in Copenhagen cannot be publicly scrutinized.<\/p>\n
As a former Liberal Party Critic for Democratic Reform, I believe strongly in the importance of defending and strengthening Canada’s democracy. More than 40% of Canadian voters stayed home in the last election, suggesting an urgent need to re-build trust in parliamentary representatives, processes and institutions. Sadly Stephen Harper’s repeated exploitation of his position and power further erodes Canadians’ trust in our democracy. That’s a shame for Canadians, and for people in countries around the world who have previously looked to Canada as a model to emulate.<\/p>\n
Harper prorogued Parliament for the fourth time, underestimating the will of the Canadian public to ensure scrutiny of the government by a sitting House of Commons. His minister dismissed concerns: “only the chattering classes are paying any attention.”<\/p>\n
Please let Mr. Harper and his government know that the prorogation of Parliament is indeed on your radar, and that it is unacceptable and unCanadian:<\/p>\n
SIGN<\/a> my petition<\/p>\n ORGANIZE<\/a> your friends, families and neighbours to sign the petition<\/p>\n DISCUSS<\/a> and learn about prorogation at Prorogation and Democracy in Canada<\/a><\/p>\n Date: Thursday, January 21
\nTime: 6:00pm \u2013 7:30pm
\nLocation: Caf\u00e9 Muse \u2013 2305 W. 41st Ave<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/joycemurray.ca\/admin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/prorogation-pic-500x333.jpg\" "\\"Parliament")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"