“When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern.” (Stephen Harper, Canadian Press, April 18, 2005)
Prorogations in perspective: Harper vs. Chrétien
Stephen Harper’s 63 day shutdown of Parliamentary activity brings his total to 148 days over just four years in office, eclipsing Jean Chrétien’s 145 days of prorogation over ten full years.
Jean Chrétien’s total includes the only longer prorogation in recent history – 82 days from November 12, 2003 to February 2, 2004 – to allow for the transition between the Chrétien and Martin governments.
Other recent prorogations:
• 63 days: Stephen Harper, December 30, 2009 to March 3, 2010
• 53 days: Stephen Harper, December 4, 2008 to January 26, 2009
• 32 days: Stephen Harper, September 14 to October 16, 2007
• 25 days: Jean Chrétien, February 2 to February 27, 1996
• 24 days: Jean Chrétien, September 18 to October 12, 1999
• 14 days: Jean Chrétien, September 16 to September 30, 2002
Recent international Olympic comparisons
Unlike Canada under Stephen Harper, democratic host nations of the Olympic Games have continued parliamentary activity either right up to or during the Olympics:
• 2006, Turin: The Italian Parliament was passing legislation just days before the Olympics, and dissolved on the 2nd day of the Games.
• 2002, Salt Lake City: The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate both sat during the Olympics.
• 2000, Sydney: The Australian House and Senate rose just one week before the Olympics.
• 1998, Nagano: Both houses of Japan’s parliament sat during the Olympics.
• 1996, Atlanta: The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate both sat during the Olympics.
• 1988, Calgary: The House of Commons took a scheduled break during the first week of the Olympics, only to resume regular business during the second week.
Prorogation implications
By shutting down Parliament, Stephen Harper has:
• Jeopardized approximately 37 pieces of government legislation – more than half of all government bills.
• Disregarded a Parliamentary order to produce documents related to the Afghan detainee torture controversy.
• Disbanded all Parliamentary committees for months, including the Afghanistan committee; substantive committee work will likely not resume until May when committees are reconstituted.
• Avoided accountability to Parliament through Question Period for three full months.
• Killed hundreds of written order paper questions from MPs to Ministers.
