Greens to Harper: We are working. Why aren't you?

OTTAWA -- Once again, the Prime Minister has asked that Parliament be prorogued, this time until after the Winter Olympics.  Originally scheduled to begin on January 25th, Parliament will now not sit until March 3.  The result is that Parliament sat for a meagre 43 days in 2009. "Stephen Harper is abusing his power in a duck and cover operation - he doesn't want to answer tough questions, so he is simply shutting down the show and using the Olympics as an excuse," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.  "This is an insult to voters."

The move brings government committees to a standstill, particularly preventing investigation into the embarrassing matter of the Afghan detainees, and also delays any bills currently before the house including the government's crime bills.  "Is Harper afraid of democracy?  Does he assume Canadians won't notice?  How can he continue to complain legislation doesn't get through the House when he keeps killing his own bills through prorogation?" said May.

Key issues will now be unable to be resolved, such as Canada's economic recovery, particularly job creation, the pressing issue of our total lack of a response to the climate crisis, the deteriorating state of our health care system, and reinstating good programmes, such as KAIROS, cut for ideological reasons.

"It is ironic that Harper campaigned on the issue of accountability," continued May.  "Now it is up to Canadians to hold him accountable." 

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
Green Party of Canada
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca