CONTEMPT OF PARLIAMENT CA | FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RULED IN CONTEMPT OF PARLIAMENT, HISTORIC FIRST IN CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY The Commons procedure and House affairs committee voted that "the government's failure to produce documents constitutes a contempt of Parliament" and that "this failure impedes the House in the performance of its functions." On October 6, 2010, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) passed a motion requesting certain financial information from the Conservative government within 10 days. In its tenth Report, FINA drew the attention of the House on what appeared to be a breach of its privileges by the Government of Canada’s refusal to provide documents ordered by the Committee, and recommended that the House take whatever measures it deemed appropriate ; On March 21, 2011, the Commons procedures and House affairs committee undertook a clause-by-clause debate of its report containing allegations the Conservative government kept information and spending estimates concerning tax cuts, prison expansions and fighter-jet procurement secret ; On Friday March 25, a Non Confidence Motion, spearheaded by the LPC, stated: "That the House agrees with the finding of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that the Government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian Parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the Government." Subsequently, 156 MPs against 145 voted in favor of toppling the Conservative government, bringing an end to Canada's 40th Parliament. REPORTS:
- AMENDED 2011.03.26 - |