Ontario government prorogues legislature until after federal election
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the decision an abdication of responsibility
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Sep 03, 2021 • 15 hours ago • 1 minute read • 59 Comments
House Leader Paul Calandra attends question period at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on June 14, 2021.
House Leader Paul Calandra attends question period at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on June 14, 2021. PHOTO BY CHRIS YOUNG /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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The Doug Ford government has prorogued the house until Oct. 4 when it will return with a throne speech and new legislative agenda.
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The Parliamentary Calendar had called for the legislature to resume on Sept. 13.
Government House Leader Paul Calandra said in a statement Friday that the change in plans was prompted by the federal campaign which culminates in a Sept. 20 election day.
“With a federal election underway, during which each party has put forward dramatically different policies and funding commitments that will have a direct impact on our government’s legislative agenda, we have made the decision to prorogue the legislature until we have more certainty and can finalize our fall legislation accordingly,” Calandra said.
“This will in no way impact the ongoing and significant work underway to protect our province from COVID19.”
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The government could have opted to just continue with the current legislative session but instead plans a fresh start.
“Since coming into office, this government has passed 94 bills including 29 Private Members’ Bills brought forward by both government and opposition MPPs,” Calandra said. “Our second legislative session will continue to build on this important work when it returns on Oct. 4.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the decision an abdication of responsibility during a fourth wave of a pandemic.
“It’s bad enough that Doug Ford has gone into hiding for over a month, now he is choosing to hide his entire government,” Horwath said in a statement.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said it was irresponsible to delay the return of the legislature.
“To push it back by several weeks is inexcusable and a slap in the face to the people of this province,” he said, adding his party was not consulted. “It’s a concerning trend.
“When the times are tough and Ontarians need support, Doug Ford and his government run for the shadows.”
aartuso@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the decision an abdication of responsibility
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Sep 03, 2021 • 15 hours ago • 1 minute read • 59 Comments
House Leader Paul Calandra attends question period at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on June 14, 2021.
House Leader Paul Calandra attends question period at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on June 14, 2021. PHOTO BY CHRIS YOUNG /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Article content
The Doug Ford government has prorogued the house until Oct. 4 when it will return with a throne speech and new legislative agenda.
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
The Parliamentary Calendar had called for the legislature to resume on Sept. 13.
Government House Leader Paul Calandra said in a statement Friday that the change in plans was prompted by the federal campaign which culminates in a Sept. 20 election day.
“With a federal election underway, during which each party has put forward dramatically different policies and funding commitments that will have a direct impact on our government’s legislative agenda, we have made the decision to prorogue the legislature until we have more certainty and can finalize our fall legislation accordingly,” Calandra said.
“This will in no way impact the ongoing and significant work underway to protect our province from COVID19.”
Advertisement
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
The government could have opted to just continue with the current legislative session but instead plans a fresh start.
“Since coming into office, this government has passed 94 bills including 29 Private Members’ Bills brought forward by both government and opposition MPPs,” Calandra said. “Our second legislative session will continue to build on this important work when it returns on Oct. 4.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the decision an abdication of responsibility during a fourth wave of a pandemic.
“It’s bad enough that Doug Ford has gone into hiding for over a month, now he is choosing to hide his entire government,” Horwath said in a statement.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said it was irresponsible to delay the return of the legislature.
“To push it back by several weeks is inexcusable and a slap in the face to the people of this province,” he said, adding his party was not consulted. “It’s a concerning trend.
“When the times are tough and Ontarians need support, Doug Ford and his government run for the shadows.”
aartuso@postmedia.com
Ontario government prorogues legislature until after federal election
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath called the decision an abdication of responsibility