MPs: Please Get Back to Work
I haven’t been writing much bloggy stuff lately, certainly not political rants. And true enough I don’t know much about the history/implications of suspending parliament by prorogue (can anyone point to a good recent source that explains Harper’s action in a historical context? Is it usual? Unusual? – I’d never heard the word before last year, and now he’s done it twice).
On principle, I don’t like it. MPs are elected and are supposed to represent us in parliament. Which they cannot do when parliament is suspended early. Because of the Olympics? Come on. The Olympics? You have to be kidding.
Anyway, why not put voice to your annoyance at a democratic government that wants to govern outside of democracy? Some ways to do it:
1. Join the Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament Facebook Group.
2. Email Harper & tell him you don’t like it: pm@pm.gc.ca … you could say:
Dear Mr. Harper,
Canada is supposed to be a democracy. For democracy to function, our elected officials are supposed to represent us in Parliament, which they cannot do because of yet another prorogued session. Please reconsider, and get our MPs back to work.
3. Email your MP (mine is Tom Mulcair: Mulcair.T@parl.gc.ca) and tell them you don’t like it:
Dear Mr. Mulcair:
I am writing to you register my strong disapproval at the government’s decision to prorogue parliament. Please do everything in your power to help MPs get back to work soon.
4. email the Governor General: info@gg.ca
Dear Ms. Jean:
I am writing to you register my strong disapproval at the government’s decision to prorogue parliament, again; and your agreement with the decision. Our parliament is supposed to represent the people of Canada, which it can’t do while suspended.
RESPONSES:
Response from Mulcair’s office:
Dear Mr. McGuire,
On behalf of Thomas Mulcair, Member of Parliament for Outremont, I acknowledge receipt of your e-mail.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the shutting down of Parliament by Mr. Harper. We share your outrage.
Stephen Harper is locking out Members of Parliament, preventing them from doing the very important work they were elected to do.
By pulling the plug on Parliament, Stephen Harper killed 36 government legislations which were making progress, including bills dealing with important issues such as consumer protection, white collar crimes or digital policy. It is our view that this is a further attempt by the Harper Government to avoid being held accountable for torture issues in Afghanistan.
The NDP Caucus had a retreat planned the week before the scheduled return of Parliament. The meeting will go ahead as planned,
and NDP MPs will attend and discuss the strategy for the next few months.Sincerely,
Mathilde Rogue
Adjointe parlementaire
Parliamentary assistant
___________________________________________________________Thomas Mulcair, député/MP Outremont
Tél. : 514 736-2727
mulcat@parl.gc.ca