Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Bill To Make Nov. 11 'Legal' Holiday Stalled In Parliament, Unlikely To Survive

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Apr, 2015 10:47 AM
  • Bill To Make Nov. 11 'Legal' Holiday Stalled In Parliament, Unlikely To Survive
OTTAWA — An NDP private member's bill meant to formally recognize Remembrance Day as a "legal" holiday appears to be dying a slow, silent death as the sun begins to set on the current session of Parliament.
 
The Harper government recently asked for more time to study the straightforward, single-clause bill, which comes before a second House of Commons committee Tuesday.
 
Ontario New Democrat MP Dan Harris, who introduced the proposed legislation, says it's highly unlikely the bill will make it through the House of Commons and the Senate before summer, when Parliament adjourns prior to a fall election.
 
"It certainly seems like they've hit the brakes hard on this bill," said Harris, who accused Conservatives of tying it up by asking the veterans affairs committee to study the matter after it had already been reviewed.
 
"They seem to be doing everything they can to stop it."
 
The committee will hear witnesses Tuesday, the vast majority of whom have already testified before the other all-party committee of MPs.
 
"We've already seen all of the witnesses we wanted to see at (the) heritage (committee), so there's no reason for us not to report back fairly soon" to the House of Commons for final approval, he said.
 
"By throwing it over to veterans affairs, they've ensured at least another week's delay."
 
Harris said he's mystified at how a one-clause bill could need so much study.
 
The legislation initially had two clauses, but the NDP agreed to remove one for the sake of speeding it through second-reading debate last fall.
 
At first, the Conservatives opposed the private member's bill, with former veterans minister Julian Fantino speaking against it. But government MPs approached Harris and suggested it could be fast-tracked.
 
That's what is so puzzling to Harris, who said he wonders if the new delay has anything to do with the Conservatives not wanting to share credit in the face of the veterans community.
 
The Harper government considers veterans to be its natural constituency and has been desperately trying to rebuild bridges with alienated and angry ex-soldiers upset about benefits policies and Fantino's seeming indifference to their concerns.
 
But Conservative MP Rick Dykstra, who has been point man for the government, said they have received "significant push-back" from at least three major veterans groups, who are opposed to the idea.
 
He says Harris did little — or no — consultation, nor was he able to canvas the opinions of provincial school boards.
 
"They were specifically saying that this is a day, a day of remembrance. It was never meant and never intended to be a holiday," Dykstra said. "So, we certainly heard that, and it has delayed our process and that was why we sent a piece of the bill to veterans affairs to get some input from them."
 
Dykstra says the bill will eventually make it back to the Commons, but whether but lives or dies depends on the house leaders and the scheduling of legislation.
 
Harris said a lot of people are under the misconception that the proposal means Nov. 11 will automatically become a statutory holiday across the country.
 
In fact, the power to establish that would remain with the provinces, six of which already deem it a day off.
 
The Royal Canadian Legion opposes the legislation, fearing diminished turnout at Nov. 11 commemorations and fewer opportunities to educate young people.
 
Harris said since provincial law was changed in Nova Scotia and businesses were told to observe the day, attendance at Remembrance Day services has actually increased.

MORE National ARTICLES

Thieves Drill Through Concrete To Access Up To $100,000 In Computers In Kamloops Store

Thieves Drill Through Concrete To Access Up To $100,000 In Computers In Kamloops Store
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Police in are investigating a heist at a computer store in Kamloops, B.C., that could have been scripted straight from a Hollywood movie.

Thieves Drill Through Concrete To Access Up To $100,000 In Computers In Kamloops Store

Four Members Of Royal Navy Due In Nova Scotia Court Facing Sex Charges

Four Members Of Royal Navy Due In Nova Scotia Court Facing Sex Charges
The Crown says the men are alleged to have participated in a "group sexual assault'' in a barracks at  Canadian Forces base Shearwater on April 10.

Four Members Of Royal Navy Due In Nova Scotia Court Facing Sex Charges

Kingston, Ontario, Girl Receives Liver Transplant Two Months After Twin

Kingston, Ontario, Girl Receives Liver Transplant Two Months After Twin
TORONTO — A three-year-old girl from Kingston, Ont., has received a liver transplant two months after her twin sister underwent the same surgery to combat a potentially fatal genetic disorder.

Kingston, Ontario, Girl Receives Liver Transplant Two Months After Twin

2 Montreal Teens Charged Over Suspected Terrorist Activities Now Face Four Charges

2 Montreal Teens Charged Over Suspected Terrorist Activities Now Face Four Charges
MONTREAL — A young man and woman arrested in Quebec last week are each facing four terrorism-related charges.El Mahdi Jamali and Sabrine Djermane appeared briefly in a Montreal courtroom today as teary-eyed relatives looked on.

2 Montreal Teens Charged Over Suspected Terrorist Activities Now Face Four Charges

Budget To Update Little-known Marker: The Timing Of Canada's $2-trillion Economy

OTTAWA — Buried beneath the spending promises, fiscal forecasts and political posturing in Tuesday's budget will be the latest read on a little-known yet rapidly approaching milestone: the timing of Canada's $2-trillion economy.

Budget To Update Little-known Marker: The Timing Of Canada's $2-trillion Economy

Mark Saunders Named Toronto's Top Cop; First Black To Lead The Force

Mark Saunders Named Toronto's Top Cop; First Black To Lead The Force
TORONTO — A married father of four was named the city's chief of police Monday — the first black officer to lead the $1-billion force — after an international search that led right back to headquarters.

Mark Saunders Named Toronto's Top Cop; First Black To Lead The Force