A token democracy

One of the catch phrases used to define democracy in our society is "government for the people of the people by the people." In Canada, the only time citizens get to make government accountable appears to be during an election. By proroguing parliament Prime Minister Harper has once again protected himself from being accountable to parliament for his decisions, and for those of his government.

This is the second time within a 12 month period that Harper has halted the normal process of parliament: the first time, to protect his minority government from a confidence vote that they would likely loose; the second time, to stop debate on questionable actions taken by his government that are being challenged by the opposition.

His publicly stated reason for proroguing parliament - to enable his government to concentrate on the next phase of the economic recovery - is a complete sham. It suggests that each and every time the PM needs to prepare new strategic plans, he will suspend day-to-day accountability of himself and his government to parliament and hence to the public.

By taking this decision over a holiday period and with the house in recess Harper hopes that public response will be muted and that the public will largely have forgotten about it once parliament resumes in March.

This is an issue that needs to be kept in the public eye. Democracy is not being well served by Harper?s actions. He and his government must be called to account.