What's to stop Harper from proroguing again in January?

[daleo]

Now that the GG has set this precedent, how many times can he use this ploy? I guess it is time to go through the BNA with a fine toothed comb.

[thenam]

1. Nothing.

I see no reason why Harper cannot progue indefinitely now. The fact that the G-G granted him this specifically so that he could avoid a confidence vote is that absolute worst-possible precedent to set. Christmas came early for Harper.

[Metric System]

2. Technically, doesn't Parliament only have to sit once a year or something? Yikes.

[daleo]

3. I think it does

Which gives him until next November or December. He needs Parliament to pass money bills, but governments can do a lot via orders-in-council, adjusting regulations, etc.

But he could just sit on things until the polls turn in his favor, I think.

[daleo]

4. This implies at least one meeting per year.

The Power of the Purse

Each year, the Minister of Finance makes a statement about the details of the Government’s financial intentions. Known as the “Budget Speech”, this statement sets out the Government’s broad plans and projects for the upcoming year, including the amount of money needed to finance these activities and how this money will be obtained. To raise the money called for in the Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance puts forward “Ways and Means motions”, which are authority for bringing in a taxation bill. The “Business of Supply” refers to the process of estimating expenditures, examining and debating these estimates, and authorizing expenditures. The full package of proposed government expenditures (the Main Estimates) undergoes committee review and debate in the House of Commons and in the Senate. A bill based on the Estimates, known as an appropriation bill, is always considered first by the House of Commons, then in the Senate, before it receives Royal Assent. Other opportunities are also provided by the Standing Orders for discussion and debate on matters related to spending.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Information/library/inside/work-e.htm


Here's a link with fuller info:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?DocId=1001&Sec=Ch08&Seq=1&Lang=E

[Anarcho-Socialist]

5. how very Charles I

although that didn't end well.