House Speaker rules against Bev Oda and crime bill costs
Posted March 9, 2011 6:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – It was a double-blow against the Harper Government, Wednesday.
The Speaker of the House of Commons ruled that Minister Bev Oda breached parliamentary privilege by misleading MPs over the addition of the word “not” to a funding approval document.
House Speaker Peter Milliken also ruled against the Conservative governments’ refusal to release the full costs of its crime bills.
Milliken described the actions of the government as “stunning.”
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said there was a clear message delivered in the House.
“The Speaker has said wake up Canada, this is a government that cannot be trusted to respect the institutions of our country,” said Ignatieff.
Both matters will now go to a Commons committee where Bev Oda will be expected to explain her actions.
Even after the ruling, Conservative House Leader John Baird was still trying to sell the governments’ case.
“The government feels that we provided the information that the committee was looking for. The Speaker has said that we partially complied. We’re going to reflect on that.” said Baird.
The government is expected to come out with more information on the crime bill issue on March 21, the day before the budget.
On that day the Liberals could introduce a non-confidence motion and topple the Conservatives.
