December 31, 2009
HOUSE PROROGUED – Komarnicki comments
on new
session of Parliament set for March 3rd
Estevan (December 31, 2009) - In the present
circumstances starting a new session of Parliament on March
3rd in my view is a wise political move and on balance the appropriate
course of action.
The main focus of Parliament should be the
economy and the passing of the budget. I think many Canadians
would agree. Once the decision was made to table the budget
in March it made good sense to start a new session with a Throne
Speech in March. This along with a number of other factors on
balance made a good case for bringing the second session of
Parliament to an end.
There is no doubt the opposition won’t
like the idea of not having another platform from which to continue
their political grandstanding and posturing particularly when
the world will be watching the Olympic games in Canada.
To be sure there will be the usual opposition
diatribe, including innuendo, outrage and indignation but all
of that does not change some basic realities:
-
Although this is the 40th
Parliament new sessions with throne speeches have occurred
104 times;
-
The Liberal dominated Senate
gutted or delayed key legislation.
-
With the Prime Minister appointing
5 new Senators the start of a new session will reconstitute
the senate committees with the new reality that there will
be more Conservative than Liberal Senators and a better opportunity
to get key legislation through;
-
The opposition used the opposition
dominated committees to further their own political interest
and agenda.
-
The focus needs to continue
to be the economy. Canadians are interested in the state and
recovery of the economy. As our Prime Minister has stated
our priority in the new session of Parliament needs to continue
to be the rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s
Economic Action Plan, restoring of a balanced budget once
our economy is fully recovered and building of a strong foundation
for our economic future.
-
Parliament’s return
is only delayed by 22 sitting days. Stakeholders, businesses
and Canadians can continue to input on economic matters. On
return we will take steps to re-introduce in their original
form the consumer safety law and the anti drug crime law that
the Liberals gutted. In all of this Ms Hoeppner’s Private
Members Bill to repeal the long gun registry will be unaffected.
-
In fact any legislation not
through the Senate can be re-introduced and if the opposition
is really interested in the legislation they can fast track
it and send it on its way to the Senate. We will see if that
happens or whether the opposition will be up to its old tricks.
