Layton calls for limits on powers to prorogue
CBC NewsThere should be limits on the ability of the prime minister to prorogue Parliament, NDP Leader Jack Layton said Wednesday.
He said his party will call for legislative changes that would require a majority vote of MPs for the prorogation of Parliament.
"This will inform the governor general of the will of the majority in the House of the people — that their work has been completed and they want to reset and prepare for the future," Layton said in Ottawa after a caucus meeting. "It shouldn't happen whenever the prime minister feels like it."
He also called for MPs to be brought back before the March 3 return date set by Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he prorogued Parliament.
The house was to have resumed sitting on Jan. 25, before Harper's move.
As with the Liberals, NDP MPs plan to be on Parliament Hill on Monday.
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Is Layton going to oppose the new bill c-15?
And is he really serious about upholding an individual's right to put whatever combination of molecules they want into their own bodies?
Layton and NDP to Oppose Bill C-15
I have received assurances that the NDP will continue their vehement opposition to Bill C-15 when parliament resumes March 3.
The NDP has supported harm reduction policies to allow people freedom and personal autonomy in the safest environment possible.
Nicole Seguin
"LIB Senators obstructing crime bills" = tip of the iceburg
There are many more conservative claims about bill C-15 waiting to be debunked. The "Liberal Senators obstructing crime bills" myth is just the tip of the iceburg.
Mandatory minimum sentences have already been tried in the U.S. to disastrous outcomes. Harper wants to take Canada down that same road to certain and expensive failure, even though...
A) Justice Minister Rob Nicholson used to be critical of the use of mandatory minimum sentences (MMS) using the same reasoning as those who are now opposing their introduction in Bill C-15!
B) the Justice Department already did a study of mandatory sentencing (2002?) and concluded that MMS do NOT deter crime or increase public safety -- which is what this bill is claimed to address. The reality is that MMS could possibly make those things worse.
C) despite numerous requests during committees Rob Nicholson was unable to provide even a single study to support the effectiveness of MMS. (There is no lack of studies condemning the use of MMS, especially for drug crimes.)
Don't be misled by the Conservative spin! The only ones who will benefit from the passing of Bill C-15 are police, organized criminals and politicians who willing to fear-monger and use "tough on crime" rhetoric to appeal to people's emotions rather than their intellect.
This is a clear example of a lust for power trumping the safety of Canadians!
Watch videos of expert testimony at the Senate Committee studying Bill C-15 and then JUDGE FOR YOURSELVES...
*** http://www.youtube.com/user/CannabisFactsForCdns ***
Recommended witness testimony:
1) David Bratzer – an active duty police officer in Victoria, BC, and a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. http://LEAP.cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173LZbyWCOU
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2) Eugene Oscapella – Ottawa lawyer and founder of Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, http://CFDP.ca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnKccUTyE_M
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3) Craig Jones – Exec Dir., John Howard Society
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0mQ8m-0Xqg
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4) Kirk Tousaw – Lawyer and Executive Director of the Beyond Prohibition Foundation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1269_doTXQk
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-FrankD
Re: "LIB Senators obstructing crime bills" = tip of the iceburg
Great information, FrankD, thanks! Its important to remember that Harper plans to reintroduce bill C-15 on March 3; get active and bring your friends so we can defeat it when it comes back again!
Nicole Seguin