Another story on Canada’s failed democracy in the Globe and Mail.
The Harper government’s decision to have Parliament prorogued in the dead of Christmas week sets a record for taking out the trash.
That’s the political term for a government dumping unwelcome or unpopular announcements at times when the news is likely to be ignored. Embarrassed by a damning report? Release it on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend.
Determined to short-circuit an investigation into how the government mishandled the treatment of Afghan detainees? Wait until the eve of New Year’s Eve – when MPs are in their ridings or down south, readers and viewers are few, and that day’s news is dominated by the picks for the men’s Olympic hockey team – and suspend Parliament.
Well, as Canadians, we must ensure that the Afghan detainee matter stays on the map. Otherwise, we will become subject to the same foul treatment abroad (and domestically) as the United States. We’ll also deserve it. I would hate to see Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal face similar treatment as New York or the American embassies abroad.
They are almost certainly right. But the fact remains that proroguing Parliament shuts down the committee that was the source of the most embarrassing revelations about government bungling in Afghanistan. The Military Police Complaints Commission, which was also looking into the affair, is effectively suspended until the government gets around to appointing a new commissioner.