Opposition can’t “make Parliament work” if PM doesn’t respect democracy

June 1, 2005

Despite misperceptions, the Conservative Party of Canada, in our role as the Official Opposition, has attempted to “make this Parliament work”. We have taken several unprecedented, even historic, steps to increase the effectiveness and longevity of this minority Parliament.

Shortly after the election, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper met with NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe to negotiate changes to several House of Commons Standing Orders. These progressive democratic reforms, modifications specifically designed to strengthen trust in Parliament, were presented to the Liberal government and adopted by the House.

Following this initial success, opposition parties continued to conduct themselves collaboratively when, for only the second time in Canada’s history, a Speech from the Throne was amended and unanimously approved by MPs to ensure the survival of Parliament.

Throughout this session, the Official Opposition has maintained its agenda to advance issues important to Canadians. We have actively embraced this Parliament as an opportunity to get ‘down to business’, and in the spirit of cooperation, we have successfully passed motions pertaining to a range of crucial files.

These included a Conservative motion to eliminate the cash deposit requirement for the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS) program and our motion to compensate victims of Hepatitis C-tainted blood who were infected before 1986.

Yet victims are still waiting for this motion to be honoured by the Liberals, who have refused to provide a time frame or solid commitment for compensation. Plus, the Liberals denied opposition parties further opportunity to propose such motions when they suspended opposition supply days on April 20th.

The government has also defied Parliamentary votes on actual legislation. MPs voted down two bills that would have divided Foreign Affairs and International Trade into separate departments. Yet, the government stated it will continue to operate the two branches independently, directly defying the will of Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Official Opposition undertook more historically unprecedented efforts to ensure the survival of this minority Parliament. Had Conservative MPs not abstained from the budget vote held March 9th, the NDP and Bloc would have succeeded in triggering an election then.

Equally unprecedented, was the Prime Minister’s refusal to accept a clear vote of non-confidence in his Liberal government, thereby allowing the question of confidence to go unresolved for nine days.

Once it became clear the government wouldn’t honour business conducted and decisions made by Parliament, and that it was willing to buy, at any price, the support necessary to cling to power, the Official Opposition attempted to put this dysfunctional Parliament out of its misery.

Throughout all this, the Conservative Party has led attempts to dampen acrimony within the House of Commons. The Speaker had to ask the government side to respect and follow the opposition-led initiative to limit the noise level and ‘heckling’ during Question Period.

Conservative MPs will continue to demonstrate civility and respect for our Parliamentary institutions. Yet, minority or majority, Parliament is not a rubber stamp for a government-dictated agenda. Canada’s Official Opposition alone cannot ‘make Parliament work’ when the Prime Minister does not respect the critical role of our democratic institutions.

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