OTTAWA – Conservative MPs have refused to support a motion by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to prevent prorogation from being used as an anti-democratic instrument to muzzle Parliament.

“The government is responsible to the House of Commons, and not the other way around,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Yet despite the anger of Canadians over the government’s decision to shut down Parliament, the Conservatives continue to silence and obstruct the duly-elected representatives of the people of Canada, this time by opposing steps to curtail the prorogation power.”

Following today’s Speech from the Throne, Mr. Ignatieff rose on a Point of Order to introduce the following motion:

“THAT this House hereby establishes a Special Committee, to be structured along the lines of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and having all the powers of a standing committee, to conduct an immediate examination into the issue of prorogation, to advise the House on the circumstances in which it is appropriate for the Prime Minister to request that Parliament be prorogued, and to prepare changes to the Standing Orders or legislation or both and that the committee report to the House no later than April 15th, 2010.”

The unanimous consent motion was shouted down by Conservative MPs.

“This is a matter of constitutional principle,” Mr. Ignatieff concluded. “Do our Conservative colleagues believe the House is paramount in our system of democratic government? Or are they in thrall with the Prime Minister’s power to shut down Parliament whenever the government feels like it?”