Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Defend democracy: Stand against the Conservative budget bill

On Wednesday, June 13 while Members of Parliament (MPs) begin voting on the Conservative government's 400-plus page omnibus budget bill, Canadians from coast to coast will be demonstrating against it.

Conservative MPs' offices across the country, as well as on Parliament Hill, will be the scene of protests starting at 5:30 p.m. to show the massive opposition to this undemocratic trojan horse budget bill. The bill is so far-reaching it includes changes to over 70 pieces of legislation, most of which are completely unrelated to the federal budget.

Leadnow, the group helping to organize the demonstrations says that this budget bill is bad for democracy, threatens our economic and social security, takes a reckless approach to the environment and attacks science and public information. It is also criticizing the government for using the omnibus tactic to ram the bill through. Omnibus bills lump many unrelated items into one bill, looking for a yes or no response.

More and more Conservative backbenchers are hearing from their constitutents and know this budget bill is a slap in the face to a democracy. Several former Conservative colleagues have spoken out publicly against the bill. Lead Now is calling for 13 "heroes", Conservative MPs who have the courage to stand up against the budget bill and the devastating effects it will have.

Opposition parties have submitted 871 amendments to the bill but the Speaker of the House of Commons, Andrew Scheer has organized them into 67 sections in order to restrict the amount of time it will take for each vote. Despite this, it is likely that MPs will be voting on the bill for at least 24 hours.
 

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