Stephen Harper Avoiding Accountability with Decision to Prorogue Parliament

August 19, 2013

OTTAWA– Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Ralph Goodale, made the following statement on the Prime Minister’s announcement that Parliament will be prorogued until October:

“Once again we see this Conservative government trying to avoid accountability by delaying the resumption of Parliament and proroguing until October.

Stephen Harper and his PMO are under fire for several scandals – from the recent Wallin report into potentially fraudulent expenses to the $90,000 cheque in the Wright-Duffy Affair – and are obviously keen to avoid questions and scrutiny by Parliament.

While starting a new session is an appropriate way to provide direction, Parliament has been on a summer recess since June and the Prime Minister has had plenty of time to write a Throne Speech.

This delay clearly shows that Stephen Harper and his government are without a plan.”