Works in progress

I posted yesterday on why the federal opposition parties should be eager to keep the spring session of Parliament running as long as possible, rather than looking for reasons to accede to the Cons' spin that nothing more can get done before the summer. But as Eugene points out, the Cons do have the exclusive authority to prorogue Parliament themselves. So let's consider some of the bills which the Cons would derail by unilaterally dissolving the current session.

Let's note off the top one of the highest-profile bills whose progress would be stalled: Bill C-288, which has passed in the House of Commons but has not yet received third reading in the Senate. As noted by John Ivison, though, the Cons would be entirely happy to let the undemocratic Senate stall the majority of public opinion when it fits the Cons' ideology - and indeed they may be seeking to do everything in their power to prevent C-288 from becoming law.

Likewise, while the three opposition parties appear strongly supportive of the NDP's Early Learning and Child Care Act which has made it out of committee in the House of Commons, the Cons presumably wouldn't shed a tear if federal child care funding continues to completely lack for any rules, standards or measurable results.

But then, there are plenty of other bills whose fate lies in the Cons' hands which they're presumably far less eager to be responsible for killing. From the index of private members' bills at LegisInfo (as listed today, though the list unfortunately appears slightly out of date):
- Bill C-252, a bill from Con MP Rick Casson which would ensure that a spouse's terminal or critical illness is considered a change in circumstances for the purposes of child custody and access. This bill managed to pass unanimously in the House, but is at the same post-report stage as C-288 in the Senate.
- Bill C-277, from Con MP Ed Fast, which would increase the maximum sentences available for the criminal offence of luring a child. This bill is awaiting committee consideration in the Senate.
- Bill C-343, from Con MP Andrew Scheer, would set minimum sentences for motor vehicle theft. This bill is awaiting committee consideration in the House of Commons.

Of course, the private members' bills are likely the least of the Cons' concerns. But a number of government bills are also in the middle of their journey through Parliament - and it's Harper's choice whether or not to bring all past progress to an end:
- Bill C-6, the Cons' planned revamp of the Aeronautics Act, which is awaiting consideration by a Commons committee after passing second reading with substantial Lib support.
- Several of the Cons' crime bills, which are in various stages of the parliamentary process - but which all stand to be sent back to square one if Harper decides to prorogue the current session.
- Bill C-12, which would set up a federal emergency management system. This bill is awaiting committee consideration in the Senate.
- Bill C-48, which would implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption - if it makes it through third reading in the Senate.

Most of these bills have received enough support to make it through the House of Commons already. And those that haven't have at least received majority support at second reading - so that their passage is likely if the current session is allowed to continue.

Which means that if the Cons choose to prorogue Parliament, they'll be solely responsible for derailing all of the above bills. And given that any prorogation would be purely for the Cons' political gain - either to cut short the current session to allow the Cons to flee Ottawa for the summer, or to enable another throne speech this fall for marketing purposes - any decision to prorogue the current session will speak volumes about the Cons' lack of commitment to the policies they claim to support.