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Democratic Institutions

During question period on democratic institutions, the Green Party’s Elizabeth May asked whether there would be full and open debate on a series of government bills—including Bill C-5—that she said give the Prime Minister and cabinet new powers and reduce Parliament’s role. The Liberals replied that the government is working with provinces, Indigenous peoples and other parties to build a stronger economy, as promised after the last election, and noted that both government and opposition bills have been advanced through the House. Separately, the Bloc Québécois raised a point of order about a minister’s statement regarding interpreters and the Translation Bureau, asking that the record be corrected.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

1 statement

Elizabeth May

Green
“The government is secretly changing our democracy. Several new bills give the Prime Minister and cabinet brand new powers and let them ignore existing laws. I want to know if we will get a full, open debate on this.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we are witnessing the restructuring of Canadian democracy by stealth. Reducing the role of Parliament, Bill C-5, Bill C-15, Bill C-30, Bill C-31 and Bill C-39, all operate to create new, unprecedented powers for the Prime Minister and cabinet, and at the same time, allow the government to set aside a wide swath of existing laws as it sees fit. Restructuring democracy in this way should be subject to full, transparent debate. Will we be given that opportunity?

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