Tories say Conservative Party delay in recall avoids Question Period

Edited by Jim Love

Truro, NS – The government has postponed the recall of Parliament until October 16th ostensibly to avoid confusing Ontario voters during a provincial election. Many of the actions of the current government suggest that the public or the media, in this case in Ontario, are easily confused if they are given information. The fear of “confusing” the public has become their main excuse for a level of secrecy that is unhealthy in any democracy. There is no doubt that the delay is seen as necessary to gain some form of partisan advantage since there is ample fodder for opponents to embarrass the federal Conservatives in Question Period.

The impact of the North American "Jelly Bean" Summit upon voter intentions has not as yet been polled but the Tory Progressive Canadian Party’s view that the dialogue initiated by the SPP must be extended beyond corporate executives has even been seconded by the North American Competitiveness Council and United States Ambassador Wilkins. Though Wilkins stated "Absolutely not" when asked whether leaders had contributed to conspiracy theories by ridiculing public concerns over the high levels of secrecy, nothing at Montebello served to allay the impression that like an iceberg, much more was under the surface than in public view.

Prime Minister Harper said in presenting his new Ministry that it would continue to assert and defend Canada’s sovereignty; keep the economy strong and taxes low; vigorously tackle crime, preserve and protect the environment; and strengthen the federation at home and abroad. At the same time the Harper Government is under attack for ignoring an environmental bill passed into law by Parliament, for using regulations rather than legislation in divesting the Canadian Wheat Board of responsibility for barley marketing and alterations to port security, for having failed to keep promises to fund additional police officers, and for having fudged figures in claims of government tax reductions and their own election spending.

Having played musical chairs in the cabinet shuffle it can be argued the Prime Minister’s delay in recalling Parliament enables his ministers to avoid defending its actions during Question Period.

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