Canada’s Prime Minister said today (August 19) that he plans to prorogue parliament before the sessions starts on September 16, and present a throne speech in October.
“There will be a new throne speech in the fall, obviously the House will be prorogued in anticipation of that. We will come back – in October is our tentative timing,” said the Prime Minister.
Asked by a journalist whether he would be leading his Conservative Party government in the federal election of 2015 he said: “Of course, yes,” and added, “I’m actually disappointed you feel the need to ask that question.”
The Prime Minister made the announcement while visiting the Canadian north.
The prorogation of parliament ends a session, and is done by Canada’s Governor General, on the advice of the prime minister.
According to the Canadian Parliament’s website: “The principal effect of ending a session by prorogation is to end business. All government bills that have not received Royal Assent prior to prorogation cease to exist; committee activity also ceases. Thus, no committee can sit after a prorogation.”
This is the third time since Prime Minister Harper took office in 2006 that he has sought prorogation.
He first prorogued parliament in 2008 to stop the opposition parties’ attempt to unseat him and form a coalition government.
He prorogued again in 2009 in the midst of a controversy over Canada’s treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan and ahead of Vancouver’s hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The leader of Canada’s Official Opposition NDP party, Thomas Mulcair, called the decision to prorogue parliament another attempt to evade accountability: “People aren’t going to be fooled. This is clearly a desperate government worn out by ethical scandals and mismanagement. Stephen Harper refuses to answer legitimate questions from the public.”
More information:
CBC News – Stephen Harper to seek prorogation of Parliament – here
Parliament of Canada website – Prorogation of Parliament – here
Parliament of Canada website – Bills before Parliament – here
Official Opposition NDP party press release – here
CBC/Kady O’Malley – 3 reasons not to freak out over the upcoming prorogation – here
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