To the Editor:
The Globe and Mail is wrong to suggest that any deal exists between federal parties to shelve Bill C-12 on Parliament’s seat redistribution (“Federal parties agree to scrap bill”, Dec. 3). No such deal exists. On the contrary, Liberals have stated clearly that we will send the bill to committee to give it the thorough consideration it demands and allow an opportunity for consultation that has been sorely missing, particularly with the provinces.
Stephen Harper has, as usual, failed to properly consult on this issue with Canadians, and with the provinces in particular. We are calling on the government to bring C-12 to the House for debate and will vote to send to a Parliamentary committee where we can ensure that appropriate consultation occurs and that as parliamentarians, we can be assured that the bill offers fair representation of all Canadians in the House of Commons. We hope the Globe will correct the record.
Carolyn Bennett
Liberal Critic for Democratic Reform
MP for St. Paul’s
Follow up: Published on Monday, December 6, 2010:
Rep gives no props
CAROLYN BENNETT, MP, Liberal Critic for Democratic Renewal
No deal exists between federal parties to shelve Bill C-12 on Parliament’s seat redistribution (Federal Parties Agree To Scrap Bill – Dec. 3). On the contrary, Liberals have stated clearly that we will send the bill to committee to give it the thorough consideration it demands and allow an opportunity for consultation that has been sorely missing, particularly with the provinces. Stephen Harper has, as usual, failed to properly consult on this issue with Canadians, and with the provinces in particular. A Parliamentary committee is the appropriate forum to ensure that this consultation occurs and that as parliamentarians, we can be assured that the bill offers fair representation of all Canadians in the House of Commons.
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