Monday, January 25, 2010   I love these "reform" proposals
philosophically, strategically and most of all because it
denotes that, yes, in fact the Liberals are listening, it isn't
just lip service. The Liberals released a series of concrete
reform proposals, which are frankly hard to find fault with:
• Prevent a request for prorogation within the first year after
a Speech from the Throne, unless the House consents;  • Prevent
a prorogation longer than one calendar month without the consent
of the House;  • Prevent a request for prorogation if a matter
of confidence has been scheduled in the House unless the House
consents; and,  • Allow Parliamentary Committees to continue to
function during the period when Parliament is prorogued until
the start of the new session.  The above moves power away from
the whims of a Prime Minister to our elected legislature. The
Prime Minister can still prorogue, but he must justify his
reasoning, he must face Parliament and debate merits. The item
curtails future abuse, den