Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon defended his party taking several House of Commons committee deliberations private as Conservatives denounced the move as an “abuse of power.”
Since the Liberals passed a motion in the House on April 27 to amend the standing orders and take control of committees, they have voted to move discussions during four committee meetings “in camera,” shielding discussions from the public.
The move comes after the Liberals obtained a majority government through recent floor crossings and byelection wins, and has been criticized by opposition MPs, who call the move “undemocratic.”
MacKinnon was asked by reporters on May 1 whether making committee deliberations private is a democratic use of the government’s new majority, and whether the Liberals will continue this trend. MacKinnon responded that the opposition has a role to play in the government’s decision….