Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament puts an end to Bill C-44. This bill would have partially deregulated our post office by removing international letters from Canada Post’s exclusive privilege to handle letters. As well, it would have set postal deregulation in motion by sending a signal to business that Canada Post’s exclusive privilege is up for grabs. Postal deregulation in other countries has led to fewer jobs, less service and higher postal rates for the public and small businesses.

While CUPW is pleased with the demise of Bill C-44 (and its predecessor Bill C-14 which died when the 2008 election was called), the union understands the government may decide to reintroduce Bill C-44 or a similar bill in the upcoming session of Parliament. However, the Conservatives would have to introduce any new proposed legislation at first reading. Bill C-44 was half way through second reading when Parliament was prorogued. The Union will fight any new bill.

The government has announced the next session of Parliament will begin with a new throne speech on March 3, 2010 and a federal budget on March 4, 2010. MPs had been scheduled to return to Ottawa on January 25, 2010.

A number of political pundits think the government may be positioning itself for a federal election, possibly on April 13, 2010. Budgets and throne speeches are considered to be questions of confidence. An election is triggered if confidence questions are voted down by opposition parties.

Prorogation stops Canada-Columbia Free Trade Agreement  

The decision to prorogue Parliament also stops the bill that would have implemented the dreaded Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.  This agreement would have expanded trade with a country where over 30 trade unionists and dozens of indigenous leaders were assassinated last year.

Prorogation undermines democracy

While prorogation puts an end to some bad bills, it also undoes most of the work that members of Parliament have done in the last year. Opposition parties, public policy groups, letter writers and bloggers have criticized the government’s decision to prorogue Parliament. They argue that the Conservatives are treating Parliament as a nuisance rather than an essential part of the democratic process. Federal opposition parties point out that prorogation allows the government to dodge difficult questions and issues for a long period of time, including the investigation into how the government mishandled the treatment of Afghan detainees. They have also taken the Conservatives to task for not being in Parliament to work on important issues such as getting the economy back on track.