Parliament Clips PM’s Power to Prorogue

Opposition Day Motion to require majority approval for prorogation passes 139 to 135 

OTTAWA – Bruce Hyer, New Democrat MP Thunder Bay–Superior North, applauded his opposition colleagues from other parties today for their unanimous support of a NDP Motion that puts limits on the power of the Prime Minister to suspend Parliament. The Motion was passed in the House of Commons after a 139 to 135 vote.  

“The will of the majority has spoken.” said Hyer after the Wednesday evening vote. “Canadians have spoken loud and clear since the beginning of the year – they won’t tolerate suspension of their democratic representation just so the government can avoid accountability, as this government does repeatedly. And tonight, the House of Commons has spoken to defend Canadian democracy as well. We have put reasonable limits on the Prime Minister’s absolute power to prorogue Parliament. In the future, a vote will be required for any suspension of Parliament greater than a week.” 

The New Democrat Motion, passed without amendment, reads: 

“That, in the opinion of the House, the Prime Minister shall not
advise the Governor-General to prorogue any session of any Parliament for longer than seven calendar days without a specific resolution of this House of Commons to support such a prorogation.”

The Motion is based on proposals advanced by Hyer after Prime Minister Harper prorogued Canada’s federal legislative body at the end of December. It was the second suspension in a year, made with a phone call to Governor-General Michaëlle Jean. 

In the House of Commons, NDP Leader Jack Layton said “The government, after promising Canadians a new day in Ottawa, has been less accountable to Parliament than any other in memory. It has ignored motions of Parliament, restricted access to information like never before and even denied legal parliamentary orders from the House to share documents with members of Parliament that are important to the public interest. Enough is enough. In our democracy, the people are in charge. Our Prime Minister appears to have forgotten about that. Their elected Parliament answers to Canadians and the Prime Minister answers to Parliament. It is not the other way around. We have to make sure that this kind of thing simply cannot happen again. That is what our motion ensures.”

“Canadians that braved the cold to rally by the thousands right across the country earlier this year have made a real difference. Their  message has been heard: the abuse of power must be stopped.” added Hyer.  

The government is bound by law to implement Motions expressing the will of Parliament, though the Harper government has foot-dragged on implementation of almost all Motions passed by the House of Commons.  

For more information: Andy Blair (for Bruce Hyer) tel: 613-996-4792