Posted on 15 July 2010
Ottawa, July 15, 2010 - Senator Claudette Tardif, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, is very disappointed that Bill C-232, An Act to amend the Supreme Court Act (understanding the official languages) was not referred to a Senate committee before the summer adjournment.
“Everytime a bill passes the House of Commons, the Conservatives argue that the bill must be passed by the Senate immediately. Yet, Bill C-232, which was adopted by the House of Commons on March 31, 2010, is blocked at second reading by the Government,” stated Senator Tardif.
Bill C-232 has been before the Senate since April 13, 2010. As of Parliament’s adjournment, seventeen Senators have spoken on this bill. This figure represents three times the average number of Senators who have spoken at the second reading stage on Private Members’ Bills from the House of Commons this session. Yet, the Government refuses to send the bill to committee, claiming that more Conservative Senators wish to speak. However, no Conservative Senator has spoken on it since June 22nd, even though the Senate sat until July 12th.
“I don’t know why the government is blocking this legislation. We need to send this bill to committee in order to hear from expert witnesses on both sides of the issue, to help all Senators take an informed position,” added Senator Tardif.
Furthermore, Senator Tardif notes that Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, which was introduced on March 3, 2010, and passed the House of Commons at third reading on May 5th, 2010, faces the same government obstruction. Since its introduction in the Senate on May 6th, 2010, only Liberal Senators have stated their positions, yet the Government is preventing it from going to Committee.
“The Conservative Government is using a double standard. When it suits its purpose, it is quick to demand that the Senate pass legislation, but that argument is quickly forgotten when it goes against its ideology,” concluded Senator Tardif.
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For further information, please contact :
Eric D’Aoust
Office of the Honourable Claudette Tardif
613.947.3589
Toll free : 1.800.267.7362
www.claudettetardif.ca