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View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
All right. Can you imagine any possible explanation for why this government would say otherwise in its June 30 press announcement?
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:11
I can't speculate as to intentions. I've mentioned the two communiqués. There was the one on June 30, which has now been replaced by the communiqué that was issued yesterday.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
On the eve of a really embarrassing meeting that the department would have to go through, they backpedalled the June 30 announcement. Do you know of any precedent of a government refusing to implement a law upon its receiving royal assent, such as has been the case with this bill?
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:12
This was an unusual situation in the sense of having a statement following coming into force that involved a different coming-into-force date. There have been situations in which the government has announced legislative tax measures and has implemented them pending legislative parliamentary approval, but this current situation [Technical difficulty—Editor] was not one we have seen before.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
No government has ever done this—just put out an announcement to say it is not going to implement a law passed by Parliament.
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:12
As I say, this communiqué was issued. It announced the government's intention to introduce new legislation to change the coming-into-force date. That's not something we have seen before.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
Right.
Your office has been very busy over this last year and a half or so. We have seen this government defy Parliament and defy orders of committee. You've been present at this committee with regard to this issue. Are you concerned by the pattern of government, of any government, ignoring the will of Parliament?
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:13
What I've stated to this committee is that Parliament is supreme. Parliament has privileges and has fundamental authority. I've taken that position. That's an authority that Parliament has to exercise responsibly, and that continues to be my position.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
Again, I thank you for your vigorous defence of Parliament. In a parliamentary democracy, Parliament has to have the last word on public policy. We have a government that has ignored Parliament by refusing to implement this bill when it received royal assent and that has been on the heels of actually suing the House of Commons and naming the Speaker of the House in seeking court approval to defy Parliament. This is all within the last few weeks. Can you comment on a pattern emerging with this government? This is also on the heels of the defiance of orders at this committee.
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:14
I provide views and advice to committees on issues as they arise [Technical difficulty—Editor] litigation. The Speaker has informed members that he has instructed my office to respond to that litigation, and we are doing so. As indicated, I've appeared before this committee to advise it on the powers of the House and the supremacy of Parliament and parliamentary privilege as a constitutional matter, and I will continue to do so.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
Responsible government was achieved in Canada before Confederation. Really, since 1858 has any Canadian government besides this one openly and blatantly refused to implement laws passed by Parliament?
Philippe Dufresne
View Philippe Dufresne Profile
Philippe Dufresne
2021-07-20 10:15
I will comment on the authorities of the House. Those authorities are fundamental and the House has exercised them, and I will support the exercise of those authorities going forward.
View Pat Kelly Profile
CPC (AB)
Yes, and we thank you for that and for your defence of Parliament.
Mr. Chair, do I have any more time?
View Wayne Easter Profile
Lib. (PE)
You have time for one more question.
Results: 256 - 270 of 150000 | Page: 18 of 10000

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