For Immediate Release
June 13, 2012
Liberals Pushing Back as Conservatives Continue Abuse of Power
OTTAWA– The Conservative government has no one to blame but themselves for the impending around-the-clock vote marathon, said Liberal House Leader Marc Garneau today.
“This government continues to steamroll all those who disagree with their backward agenda, refusing to let Parliament do its job and scrutinize the far-reaching changes they are proposing,” said Mr. Garneau. “By ramming through this ‘kitchen sink’ omnibus bill and invoking time allocation to further limit debate, the Conservatives are trying to reduce Parliament to nothing more than a rubber stamp. Over the next 26 hours or so, the House of Commons will push back.”
The Conservative government has repeatedly refused calls by the Liberal Party to remove sections of the Budget Implementation Act on Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, fisheries regulations and environmental regulations, and introduce them as separate legislation. As a result of the government’s intransigence, the House of Commons is currently debating 844 opposition amendments to the bill, 503 of which were put forward by the Liberal Party. Though the Speaker of the House of Commons grouped many of these amendments, the House of Commons will spend as many as 26 hours holding up to 159 votes.
“By refusing to compromise the Conservatives are setting a dangerous precedent,” said Mr. Garneau. “This Budget bill goes too far and the Liberal Party is using all the tools at our disposal to fight this government’s bully tactics.”
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Contact:
Office of Joyce Murray, MP
Ottawa: 613-992-2430
Vancouver: 604-664-9223
Press Office
Office of the Liberal Leader
613-947-5100
