Tories accuse Liberals of ‘despicable’ tactics’
OTTAWA • Opposition parties slammed the Liberal government on Tuesday for trying to “ram through” major changes to how the House of Commons does its business.
With little notice, the Liberals moved Tuesday to have a committee study major changes, including halting House sittings on Fridays, only requiring the prime minister to be in question period one day a week, introducing electronic voting and restricting opposition parties’ ability to filibuster bills in committee.
Liberals are trying to “ram through whatever the f--they want,” Conservative MP Scott Reid said in a rare outburst. He called manoeuvres “despicable,” a “tissue of lies,” and a “contemptible abuse of our system,” calling the prime minister an “arrogant, selfish, rude individual” for trying to steamroll all opposition.
His colleague Blake Richards said the Liberals’ attempt to use the Procedure and House Affairs Committee to push changes through is “disgusting and pathetic.”
In an unusual move Tuesday, Liberals repeatedly blocked opposition attempts to delay the motion, including extending the committee meeting — which was otherwise supposed to be hearing from Elections Canada officials — well beyond its scheduled time.
NDP MP David Christopherson made much ado about the fact opposition MPs were not given the time to bring the Liberals’ proposals to a caucus meeting — the next one is Wednesday — and asked if debate could at least be delayed until the committee’s next meeting on Thursday.
As debate extended into question period, without reaching a vote, Christopherson heckled, “you clowns think you can pull this off? Really?”
“This is not a good day for Liberal promises," he shouted.
The Liberals had promised to work more collaboratively and openly with other parties, but instead are trying to use their majority to change rules that will have a major effect all members of parliament, he said. “How the hell is that fair? How does that come anywhere near what you promised in the campaign?”
The Liberals gave a tight June deadline for the changes and offered no indication that they wouldn’t use a majority to impose changes to House rules without opposition consent.
According to the Liberal motion presented Tuesday by MP Scott Simms, the government wants a report, complete with recommendations, by June.
MPs on the committee couldn’t come to a consensus last summer on the idea of ending Friday sittings, for example, to make the House more “family-friendly” for MPs with kids.
Reid suggested a special committee could be struck to discuss the long list of proposals.
Under Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien, a special committee looked at similar issues and unanimous consent, among all parties, was required to recommend changes.
Hammered on the Liberals’ tactics during question period, even as Reid filibustered the committee with lengthy diatribes on the merits of parliamentary procedure, Liberal House leader Bardish Chagger said, “we believe that these conversations are important conversations to have.”
“We made a commitment to modernize this place, and to bring it into the 21st century. That is what the discussion paper is about.”
A senior Liberal official reached by the National Post said they were unable to offer an answer on the unanimity question, one way or the other, and that the government had not looked at the possibility of a special committee.
The government’s intention, the official said, is to put ideas for modernization on the table.
It’s a priority for Chagger and “she wants to get the debate going.”
The paper says the government wants standing orders to be “meaningfully deliberated upon.”
It’s not the first time the Trudeau government has angered the opposition over procedural manoeuvres. Last May, the government backed down from a motion that would have enhanced ministers’ control over debate, after opposition parties cried foul.