Prices in Canada continue to go up under Mark Carney’s government, and many of them are automatic, meaning that Parliament does not approve them (cost of postage, alcohol, passports etc.) Does this increasing reliance on ‘escalator’ taxes concern you? Let me know here!

Prorogation: how did we get here and what’s next?

January 31, 2025

PROROGATION – how did we get here?

Due to the unexpected resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on December 16th just hours before she was to table the long-overdue Fall Economic Statement, the Liberal Party imploded and Parliament is now dissolved.

In her letter of resignation, Freeland referred to growing disagreements between her and the Prime Minister regarding Canada’s financial future, especially in the face of Donald Trump’s looming 25% tariff threat. That letter brought the internal dysfunction within the Liberal Party out into the open, and Members demanded Justin Trudeau’s resignation.

In the face of falling public opinion, a harsh rebuke from one of his top Cabinet Ministers – and at such a tenuous time – Justin Trudeau was effectively forced to realize his days as Prime Minister were numbered.

However, as usual, he decided to put Liberals first.

Rather than allow Canadians to choose their Prime Minister, on January 6th, 2025, Trudeau made the decision to prorogue Parliament for two months while the Liberals conducted a leadership race. He told Canadians he would remain Prime Minister until the next leader of the Liberal party, who will automatically become the next Prime Minister, was chosen.

PROROGATION – what is it?

Prorogation is often a part of the Parliamentary cycle as it allows the government to effectively push the “reset button”.  It immediately terminates the current Session, halts all committee work, and erases all legislation that has not already received Royal Assent.

Generally, following prorogation, Parliament will resume with a Speech from the Throne, which allows the government to present a new, or updated, mandate.

Any legislation before Parliament at the time of prorogation is considered to have ‘died’ on the Order Paper, which is the daily agenda for the House of Commons. The government can subsequently either abandon previous legislation completely or choose to bring it back to its prior standing.

Here is an extensive list of all the legislation that was passed or terminated from this last session their status as of prorogation.

PROROGATION – what’s next?

The vote for the next leader of the Liberal Party is scheduled for March 9th. This means that members of the Liberal Party will choose Canada’s next Prime Minister – not the people of Canada. This is a process overseen by Liberal party leadership, not by Elections Canada, and concerns have been raised given that this will result in the selection of our next, unelected, Prime Minister. Conservatives have been very clear that they believe Parliament should have returned as scheduled, followed by a federal election, given that all three Opposition Parties have indicated they have lost confidence in the Liberals to govern Canada.

After more than nine years of irresponsible fiscal management, this period of political uncertainty is a turning point for Canada. Canadians have witnessed our country’s weakened justice, defence and immigration systems, the disintegration of Canada’s economy, and a ballooning national debt. Polls have confirmed Canadians are more than ready for change.

Though the exact timing of an  election remains unclear — one thing is for sure: Canadians will have the chance to make their voices heard in 2025.