TORONTO—Defending the prorogation of Parliament, Stephen Harper asserted it is a "fairly standard procedure"; it had occurred 104 times since Confederation. Actually, it has occurred 120 times, tallying his three prorogations since 2007. This does not buttress the point that Harper's prorogations are "routine" (as a Conservative email alleges) because, with rare exception, prorogation occurs as described in Bourinot's Parliamentary Procedure and Practice: "As soon as the business of the two Houses is concluded, or so nearly completed that there can be no doubt as to the time of prorogation...." Eugene Forsey said the same: "When both Houses have finished a session's business, Parliament is 'prorogued' till the next session." Only then is prorogation "routine."

To View the rest of this article, please choose one of the following

If you are already a subscriber

Your Email Address: *

Password: *

Forgot your password

Subscribe to The Hill Times

Subscribe to the print and electronic editions and get instant access to The Hill Times online.

Quick Purchase

Purchase this weeks' edition of The Hill Times in electronic format (PDF) for $4.00

Sign Up for a free trial

For instant access to the website.