MP Rob Oliphant Speaks out on the Progrogation of Parliament

For Immediate Release
January 7, 2010

TORONTO- On December 30, 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his decision to shut down Parliament for the second time in just over a year’s time.

“It is clear that Prime Minster Harper`s decision to shut down Parliament has more to do with politics than with good governance and is his way of avoiding difficult questions and hiding from public scrutiny,” said Mr. Oliphant.

This prorogation will not stop Liberal parliamentarians from working, however. On January 25, when Parliament was to have resumed, Mr. Oliphant and his Liberal colleagues will be back at work in Ottawa. During that first week, the Liberal Caucus will host working sessions on a series of issues, working with Canadians as they prepare for the “Canada at 150” conference in March. Mr. Oliphant will personally be hosting a session in his capacity as the Official Opposition Veterans Affairs Critic.

“While Conservative MPs are taking an extended vacation, Liberals are continuing to work for Canadians.   In the first week of the New Year, I held eight public meetings on many subjects of current interest. I met with constituents in virtually every neighbourhood in Don Valley West. Liberal Leader, Mr. Michael Ignatieff will go on a cross Canada campus tour engaging our next generation of leaders in an exchange of ideas for building a more prosperous and fair Canada,” said Mr. Oliphant.

Although the House of Commons will not be sitting, the Liberal Caucus will be hard at work planning for the much anticipated Budget.  When Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page releases his planned reports on government spending and the deficit, the Liberal caucus will be well prepared to receive them.

“We’re also keeping up the pressure on climate change issues, the torture of Afghan detainees, and the politicization of government funding  – because we care about Canadians and our country, and because we won’t let Stephen Harper get away with harming Canada’s reputation or eroding our democracy,” said Mr. Oliphant.

Parliament will resume on March 3, 2010 with a speech from the Throne followed by the Budget.  So far, the Liberal Caucus is the only caucus to have decided to return to the House of Commons to get back to work.  “With a Budget that is expected to be one of the most critical that Canada has seen in years, the Liberal Caucus’ preparation for their response is vital,” concluded Mr. Oliphant.

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Contact:

Mazhar Shafiq, Communications Assistant
Office of Rob Oliphant, M.P.
416-467-7275