Justin Trudeau is set to initiate a political prorogation, according to Tom Mulcair.
Prorogation is essentially a reset button that politicians in power tend to use when they are doing really badly. Prorogation is a legal political distraction tactic in which a politician asks the Governor General to suspend Parliament, preventing any bills from being passed. Prorogation gives a politician breathing room to create a new tactic and become popular again. Even though Canadians will not forget what Trudeau has done, prorogation will at least ensure that Trudeau’s leadership goes unbrothered during this time.
This, essentially, emergency reset button was used previously by Trudeau during the WE Scandal, and even by former CPC Prime Minister Steven Harper. Public reaction to previous prorogations has often been mixed, with some citizens viewing it as a necessary political tool while others see it as an undemocratic tactic to avoid accountability. During Stephen Harper’s prorogation in 2008 and 2009, many Canadians expressed outrage, leading to protests and criticisms from opposition parties. Similarly, Justin Trudeau faced backlash during the WE Scandal prorogation, with critics arguing that it was a move to evade scrutiny and delay investigations. The frequent use of prorogation could undermine public trust in the government, as citizens may feel that leaders are avoiding accountability. Over time, this tactic might erode democratic principles by setting a precedent for leaders to bypass legislative scrutiny. Additionally, repeated prorogations could lead to political instability, as opposition parties and the public push back against perceived abuses of power. Some Canadians online are calling this a turn to a ‘Communist dictatorship’. This could lead to a decrease in the legitimacy of the government, leading to further political instability and a decrease in the democratic process.