Despite promises to hand over unredacted documents, the Reformers are still stalling, once again skipping an important committee meeting.As a result the opposition could hold up the funds needed to pay for Harper's Vegas style extravaganza. Let's hope they stick to their guns.
The opposition parties could hold up the millions in federal cash needed to pay for the G8 and G20 summits and a whack of other programs if the Conservative government does not bend on the release of classified documents about the Afghan mission. The NDP and Bloc Quebecois said Friday they are losing hope that the four federal parties will come to an agreement on releasing records related to the transfer of Afghan detainees by the Canadian Forces.
Without a deal, those two parties are prepared to forge ahead Monday or Tuesday with a process that could tie up the House of Commons and all its work until it rises for the summer. It is unclear how far the Liberals are willing to go. "All three of the opposition parties are quite frustrated with the government. For the last two weeks at least we don't see that there's been any significant change," NDP justice critic Joe Comartin said in an interview.
and:
The problem for the government is that once such a motion is in play, nothing other than question period can take place in the Commons. Debate on the motion can go on indefinitely, with no possibility of limiting the time. That could hold up an important vote on government's main estimates, money that goes toward paying important budgetary items including the G8 and G20.
The other problem is that if C-9 isn't passed, many bills and programs will not get their funding.
ReplyDeleteIt's a double hostage situation in that the Conservatives are threatening no funds if C-9 fails to pass and the opposition could hold up the funds for the G-8 and G-20.
A Mexican standoff as it were.
Too bad we no longer have Stanley Knowles or Tommy Douglas to help resolve this situation.
I agree
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