Canadian Conservative government falls after House of Commons finds Stephen Harper guilty of the crime of contempt of parliament.
Corruption, Latest news, World news Friday, March 25th, 2011The Canadian minority government of Stephen Harper was defeated in the House of Commons on Friday on a non-confidence motion declaring the Conservative government is guilty of contempt of Parliament. Contempt of Parliament is the crime of obstructing the parliament in the carrying out of its functions, or of hindering any Member of Parliament in the performance of his or her duties. According to Parliamentary law actions taken by the Harper government are deemed to be criminal offenses and as such the representatives of the Canadian people unanimously declared that Stephen Harper is a criminal and is not fit to be their head of state. This marks the first time in Canadian history that a government has been found guilty of contempt. The House of Commons declared:
“That the House agree with the finding of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the government.”
In Canada the power to find a person in contempt of Parliament stemmed from Section 18 of the Constitution Act, 1867 in which “The privileges, immunities, and powers to be held, enjoyed… shall not confer any privileges, immunities, or powers exceeding those at the passing of such Act held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Commons House of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and by the members thereof.”
Actions which constitute a contempt of Parliament vary, but typically include such things as:
- deliberately misleading a House of Parliament or a parliamentary committee;
- refusing to testify before, or to produce documents to, a House or committee; and
- attempting to influence a Member of Parliament, for example, by bribery or threats.
On Friday March 25, 2011 the crime of contempt of Parliament was unanimously passed by the Canadian House of Commons against Canadian minority Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Now that the Canadian House of Commons has declared that Stephen Harper and his minority government are indeed guilty of contempt of Parliament can Stephen Harper run again for Prime Minister of Canada? Under the Constitution Act, 1867, Parliament is empowered to determine the qualifications of members of the House of Commons. The present qualifications are outlined in the Canada Elections Act, which was passed in 2000. Under the act minors and individuals who are not citizens of Canada are not allowed to become candidates. The Canada Elections Act also bars prisoners from standing for election (although they may vote). Moreover, individuals found guilty of election-related crimes are prohibited from becoming members for five years (in some cases, seven years) after conviction. So if the House of Commons has declared that Stephen Harper is guilty of contempt of Parliament – a criminal offenses – then Harper must therefore be barred from standing for election.
Harper has been judged by the house to be guilty of contempt of parliament. This is the first time any P.M. has ever been found guilty of contempt of Parliament. Now that the Canadian government has fallen the United States acted quickly to installed a member of the Canadian Armed Forces to lead the US war of aggression against Libya. According to US officials the political upset in Canada today presented an opportunity for the United States government to shed responsibility for their illegal war of aggression against Libya. Now that the Canadian government has been dissolved after the Canadian Conservative minority government of Stephen Harper was found guilty of the crime of contempt of Parliament the US government has installed a member of the Canadian military to lead the unprovoked armed attacks against Libya and against the Libyan civilian population. As of today the people of Canada are unable to petition the Canadian government to quickly end Canada’s participation in this unlawful US war of aggression against Libya. No Parliament is in session to debate or vote for the immediate cessation of Canada’s participation in other, more serious crimes, committed by Stephen Harper – crimes against humanity and war crimes.
When Canadians cast their vote in May 2011 will they vote a convicted criminal back into office? If they vote for Stephen Harper’s Conservative government that is exactly what they will be voting for.
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