For those fed up with Harper's undemocratic behavior, tell your MP

[msdogfood]

They could have been though. That was the point.

ok

[nicky10013]

So is equalization, but you just tried to pretend that it doesn't exist. The Constitution isn't something that you can pick and choose parts of.

There's nothing wrong with what Harper did, but Canadians seem to feel that there's something not right in him doing it now. A year ago, Conservatives felt that a majority opinion was more important than the will of Parliament (thankfully, the Governor General stopped the nonsense on both sides in its tracks). Now, the way the people feel is supposedly unimportant...because public opinion isn't favouring your horse.

There's nothing technically wrong with what he did because Jean set a dangerous precedent last year when she allowed him to dodge parliament the first time. The tool needs to be recalibrated. If a minority government wants to prorogue the tradition should be that the government should have to pass it as a motion in the house. Despite how constitutionally allowed it is, every time a minority PM gets into trouble, they're going to run to the GG and ask her to shut it down until it goes away. No matter who you work for, that's just no way to govern. Just because it's constitutionally allowed doesn't make it right, open or accountable.

[Smallc]

By who? the chair sets the meeting schedual, the chair is a conservative mp

I didn't say they would have been recalled, I'm saying that they could have been. They can't be now. They probably wouldn't be meeting now. They would be meeting in a few weeks, but not now.

[kimmy]

They were already acting like cowards and trying to subert our democracy before they used the ultimate weapon in their arsenal of fear.

Are we still talking about the prorogation of parliament, or did Stephen Harper buy a used Death Star at Dick Cheney's garage sale?

-k

[nicky10013]

Are we still talking about the prorogation of parliament, or did Stephen Harper buy a used Death Star at Dick Cheney's garage sale?

-k

Yeah, I'm not going to lie. I lauged when I wrote that. I'm surprised no one picked up sooner on it.

[Alta4ever]

I didn't say they would have been recalled, I'm saying that they could have been. They can't be now. They probably wouldn't be meeting now. They would be meeting in a few weeks, but not now.

they will have the ability to re constitute in March and ask the questions.

[msdogfood]

There's nothing technically wrong with what he did because Jean set a dangerous precedent last year when she allowed him to dodge parliament the first time. The tool needs to be recalibrated. If a minority government wants to prorogue the tradition should be that the government should have to pass it as a motion in the house. Despite how constitutionally allowed it is, every time a minority PM gets into trouble, they're going to run to the GG and ask her to shut it down until it goes away. No matter who you work for, that's just no way to govern. Just because it's constitutionally allowed doesn't make it right, open or accountable.

thank you!!

[nicky10013]

they will have the ability to re constitute in March and ask the questions.

Why in March and not January?

[Smallc]

they will have the ability to re constitute in March and ask the questions.

Yes they will. I was never questioning that.

[kimmy]

Yeah, I'm not going to lie. I lauged when I wrote that. I'm surprised no one picked up sooner on it.

I have nothing to say to the prorogation debate, but that was laugh out loud funny.

-k

[nicky10013]

Yes they will. I was never questioning that.

All he's interested in is making you run around in circles, dismissing your arguments based on non-existant facts. When you finally don't want to put up with it anymore, like a 4 year old boy, he declares victory. Not surprising really, it's pretty much a direct representation of how the CPC actually operates these days.

[nicky10013]

I have nothing to say to the prorogation debate, but that was laugh out loud funny.

-k

It kind of flowed. At the beginning I was being serious and then it just kind of came out. I knew it was stupid but I was smiling so I went with it anyways.

[Alta4ever]

Why in March and not January?

Why does it matter?

Why not february, why not april?

[nicky10013]

Why does it matter?

Why not february, why not april?

I'm not the one defending it. Shouldn't it be that the people supporting the decision to prorogue should have to answer why march and not january?

[Alta4ever]

I'm not the one defending it. Shouldn't it be that the people supporting the decision to prorogue should have to answer why march and not january?

Well the opposition will have the chance to ask the government this question in March or, you can send a letter to him and ask.

[nicky10013]

Well the opposition will have the chance to ask the government this question in March or, you can send a letter to him and ask.

I'm asking you.

[waldo]

whaaa! ... Simple you went there - excellent. It's well known Harper Conservatives have difficulty doing their jobs on company time.

now that the rank and file Conservative MPs have begun to be trotted out to support their King's perogy move, we're sure to realize real gems... as Harper/PMO has less control over the question/answer spin. Yes, real gems like:

- Conservative MP Rona Ambrose suggesting Parliament isn't necessary at all

Not all good work happens in Ottawa, a lot of good work happens outside Ottawa

- or this piece of gold... real gold... from Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber who stated

Democracy and Parliament are not being sidestepped — they are only being suspended

oh my! The Harper Conservatives are only suspending Democracy!

let the good times continue to roll... party hearty Garth!

- Conservative MP Garth Schellenberger

"The Olympics in Canada were another good reason to prorogue Parliament" ... "If we are sitting, how do MPs get to those events," ... "It makes sense that we are not sitting."

[waldo]

In King Harper's own words:

When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern.

The Liberals, apparently, want to prorogue the House. They want to run out of town, get out of town just one step ahead of the sheriff. Is the Liberal government committed to staying here as planned throughout the month of November so that it can be held accountable in the House for its actions?

Now is it true that the government will prorogue the House so that it will not be held accountable for its shameful record?

[Shady]

Do committees have to stay away during the break?

I don't believe so.

[Shady]

If a minority government wants to prorogue the tradition should be that the government should have to pass it as a motion in the house.

I'd like it to be a confidence vote. I'd like for the opposition parties to dissolve parlaiment if they think Harper's actions are so terrible. I'd like for them to force an election, if they think they have the Canadian people on their side. Go ahead, make my day!

[nicky10013]

I'd like it to be a confidence vote. I'd like for the opposition parties to dissolve parlaiment if they think Harper's actions are so terrible. I'd like for them to force an election, if they think they have the Canadian people on their side. Go ahead, make my day!

Fine, but if the government fails to maintain confidence in the house, a coalition has to be on the table.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Fine, but if the government fails to maintain confidence in the house, a coalition has to be on the table.

I would suggest that the makings are already taking place. By the 25th there will likely be some announcement to that effect. The coalition concept will either be full on or dead in the water.

[nicky10013]

I would suggest that the makings are already taking place. By the 25th there will likely be some announcement to that effect. The coalition concept will either be full on or dead in the water.

It was dead as soon as Ignatieff became leader.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

It was dead as soon as Ignatieff became leader.

Don't hold your breath on that one. The concept is valid, and it could well see Harper removed as a PM before his holidays are over. I sort of depends on the cojones of those in opposition. The GG could act against the government in this case and allow the "majority" to form a government.

[nicky10013]

Don't hold your breath on that one. The concept is valid, and it could well see Harper removed as a PM before his holidays are over. I sort of depends on the cojones of those in opposition. The GG could act against the government in this case and allow the "majority" to form a government.

It's a valid concept but that doesn't mean Ignatieff doesn't want to actually win an election. The longer Harper is in there the easier he's making it for the Liberals; if they had their act together of course. We'll see what happens.