Canada opposition forces 20-hour filibuster over Atwal controversy

TORONTO: The controversy surrounding an invite extended to a convicted Khalistani terrorist to an official dinner in New Delhi kept plenty of Canadian lawmakers awake all through Thursday night.

After national security adviser Daniel Jean claimed “rogue elements” in the Indian establishment planted Jaspal Atwal to embarrass Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his recent trip to India, the opposition moved a motion, seeking a public testimony by Jean on his statement.

The ruling Liberal Party defeated that motion on Thursday, but an incensed opposition retaliated by keeping the House sitting all night in a filibuster. That procedural move lasted for 20 hours, starting on Thursday evening and lasting beyond lunch on Friday.

Jake Enright, a spokesperson for opposition leader Andrew Scheer, told Hindustan Times that they had “given an ultimatum” to the government: accept the demand to have Jean testify before the standing committee, or prepare to spend many sleepless hours in the House.

The procedural move was related to a series of votes on fiscal estimates — the failure to pass a motion relating to money matters would mean the collapse of the government.

The opposition also circulated a social media meme: “The Liberal Government just went 20 hours to shut down a few minutes of testimony.”