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Government Orders

The House debated Government Motion No. 9, which would change the composition of standing and joint committees to give the government a majority of seats, reflecting the seats each party holds in the House. Liberal members said a majority government should also hold a majority on committees, as Parliament’s procedures provide, and that opposition members keep their seats. Conservatives said the government secured its majority by persuading members of other parties to cross the floor, going against voters’ wishes, and accused it of using its new committee control to block document requests and avoid scrutiny. A Bloc member questioned the effect on public trust in institutions, and a Green member said Parliament tends to reduce the powers of smaller parties regardless of which party governs. Some time also went to a member describing a fatal stabbing in his riding, and to remarks and questions about Canadian unity and historical anniversaries, which another member raised as a point of order about staying on topic.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

1 statement

Elizabeth May

Green
“No matter who is in power, our Parliament always takes away power from smaller parties to give it to the governing party. I want the member to say if he agrees.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for St. Catharines says that it has been fundamental to parliamentary democracy. I wonder if he would agree with me that the process of parliamentary democracy in this place is continually, regardless of who is in power, to reduce the rights and powers of smaller parties in favour of their own rights and powers.

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