NDP “angry” with prorogation; Liberals have mixed reactions; Conservatives decline comment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent resignation as leader of the Liberal Party has created mixed feelings among University of Ottawa students. Even if political groups on campus are at odds on the validity of the prorogation of parliament and the legacy left by Trudeau, each club looks ahead to prepare for a suspected federal election.
UONDP — University of Ottawa New Democratic Party
Elnaz Enayatpour and James Adair, co-presidents of the U of O’s New Democratic Party (NDP) club, currently operate the on-campus assembly in association to the Ontario’s provincial and Canada’s federal NDP.
Enayatpour and Adair’s initial reactions to Prime Minister Trudeau’s Jan. 6 announcement was described as both “disappointed and excited.”
Trudeau, who stepped down as Liberal leader, will remain as the nation’s Prime Minister until a new Liberal leader is chosen. Enayatpour contended that a federal election could lead to “a new era” in Canadian politics, where the Liberal government is no longer a key player.
Adair added that he feels “angry that [Trudeau] prorogued parliament,” labelling the pause as “anti-democratic.”
When asked about the current state of Canadian politics, the club highlighted current social issues, such as homelessness, lack of accessible healthcare and rising rates of food insecurity. “We are setting ourselves up for failure,” said Enayatpour.
“Canadians need to be reminded we have a third party here. We have an opportunity to do something different.”
UOYL — University of Ottawa Young Liberals
The vice-president of the federal branch of the University of Ottawa’s Young Liberal’s Club, Matthew Edginton, told the Fulcrum, “I think for a lot of [our] members, the reaction is a bit of a mix.”
Edginton reflected “very fondly” about Trudeau’s nine-year leadership, that the government had accomplished a lot… [of their] commitments,” such as: action on climate change, truth and reconciliation, the establishment of Canadian child benefit, and the Canadian job benefit.
When asked about recent months under Trudeau’s leadership, Edginton acknowledges that “Parliament has become a little bit non-functional” in recent months, and “bills have been for [television] and not substantive.”
Despite this, Edginton, with a history of working as a staffer on Parliament Hill, noted that “In politics, you have a shelf life,” adding that he “personally respects [Trudeau] for recognizing that it [was]’s time to step aside and bring a new generation of leaders.”
The University of Ottawa’s Green Party was unable to be reached for comment and the campus Conservatives declined a chance to meet with the Fulcrum.
What is prorogation and where does Canada go from here?
The House of Commons defines the prorogation of parliament as “the termination of a session, called by either the Governor General or a proclamation in the Canadian Gazette.”
Consequences of a prorogation include members of parliament being released from their duties until the set return date, the automatic termination of any bills that did not yet receive royal assent and the possibility for any committee to meet; done for a “fresh start for the next session.”
In 2008 under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, parliament had previously been prorogued in reaction to the threat of a non-confidence vote being passed by the Liberals, NDPs and Bloc Quebecois. The following year, parliament was again prorogued under Harper for two months in the wake of the economic recession, arguing the need to consult with Canadians and businesses.
Trudeau’s prorogation will pause parliament until Mar. 24, terminating the progress of 26 bills, including the Online Harms Act — which would have created a digital safety commission and ombudsperson to combat online harm, the Lost Canadians Bill — which would have reinstated citizenship to an estimated 115,000 citizens who “unconstitutionally lost their citizenship” under Prime Minister Harper, and the Digital Charter Implementation Act — Canada’s first attempt at regulating the use of artificial intelligence through both data and consumer protection.
A legal challenge towards Trudeau’s prorogation has been granted an expedited hearing by Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton. The lawsuit was filed by two Nova Scotia residents on grounds that the parliamentary pause was made solely in “services to the interests of the Liberal Party of Canada.” The Government of Canada has not filed a response yet.
With a federal election on the horizon, campus political groups are preparing to lend support to their respective parties, recruiting for volunteers to canvas and phone bank.
Students looking for information on their eligibility and ways to vote in Ottawa are encouraged to check out Election Canada or for starting steps on understanding what the political world is, to check out Voter apathy isn’t cool by Amira Benjamin.
