Parliamentary power bill

A local Conservative backbencher has tabled a private members bill that, if passed, will give more power to party caucuses including the ability to vote out their leader. Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong says the bill would re-balance the power between the Prime Minister’s office and parliament. He says too much power has been centralized in the PMO and over the years successive Canadian governments have allowed an American-style Presidential system to take hold.

Tory MP Michael Chong: “Since Confederation, numerous and gradual changes have eroded the power of the Member of Parliament and centralized it in the party leadership structure. As a result, the ability of the Member of Parliament to carry out their functions been curtailed by these structures. Restore the power to the elected member of parliament.”

The proposed legislation would also switch the final say in electoral nominations from the party leader to party riding associations. Private member bills rarely become law.