The minister in charge of the country’s purse-strings is denying claims by the opposition that Stephen Harper is trying to avoid some political heat by proroguing parliament.
Critics are pointing to the Pamela Wallin Scandal and rumoured dissent within the Tory backbenches as headaches the Prime Minister doesn’t want to deal with.
Minister Tony Clement was in Big River this week to talk with constituents about the economy and other concerns.
He says those claims are false:
“Uh no it’s just factually untrue and of course many other governments of all stripes have prorogued parliament to issue a throne speech. So this is pretty well par for the course and it is appropriate this time because we have passed so many bills.”
He says the government has achieved the agenda that was laid out in the Throne Speech two years ago and it’s time to prepare for a new session.
The Member of Parliament for Northern Saskatchewan says his private member’s bill to amend the Indian Act won’t be affected by Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue parliament.
Clarke says all the government bills will be killed through the prorogation, but Private Member’s bill are safe.
Rob Clarke says the prorogation is really just Stephen Harper’s way of hitting the reset button:
“It’s actually quite common. It’s been used many times through Canadian history. What it does, it’s just a reset button which helps bring forward the Prime Minister’s mission statement for the next legislative agenda.”
Clarke expects to be busy in the days and weeks to come.
He says he will be touring communities in Northern Saskatchewan and hosting First Nations meetings and roundtables.