Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has prorogued Parliament until March 24, 2025, to allow the Liberal Party to select a new leader. Trudeau, who intends to step down once his successor is chosen, defended the decision as necessary to reset the political environment and resolve a legislative standstill.
Prorogation suspends all parliamentary activities, meaning that all ongoing bills and committee work are halted. Any legislation that hasn’t been passed will need to be reintroduced when Parliament reconvenes. It also prevents opposition parties from triggering a non-confidence motion, which could have forced an election before the Liberals have a new leader.
This move is not the first time Trudeau has prorogued Parliament. In 2020, he used the tool during the WE Charity scandal, prompting criticism for suspending investigations into his government’s actions. Although Trudeau’s 2015 election platform vowed not to use prorogation to avoid scrutiny, this latest decision marks a departure from that promise.
Despite the suspension, the current government remains in power, with Trudeau saying the move would allow for a “fresh start” when Parliament returns in March. Opposition parties will have to wait until then to hold the government to account.
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