Oakville, Ont. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says opposition parties should stop dragging their feet on an accountability bill and stop trying to water down legislation the Conservatives introduced to get tough on crime.
Speaking to the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Harper said Friday if the opposition parties don't like his government's measures, “they can force an election any time.”
“If the opposition disagrees with us, they should do it in the open, not in some committee meeting, not in the unelected senate, not by endlessly stalling a democratic vote,” he said.
Mr. Harper said the three opposition parties supported cracking down on crime during the election, yet are now back pedalling and stalling a bill, introduced in May, designed to do away with house arrest for serious crimes and impose mandatory prison sentences for gun crimes.
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“This is what we promised to do, this is what the public asked for, and all parties told the public they would get tough on crime,” Mr. Harper said.
“It's nearly November and the legislation has barely moved. And this week on the very first bill, the opposition voted to water it down. Not in Parliament my friends, but in a committee.”
He said, in essence, the parties voted to allow criminals who break into homes or steal cars to potentially serve their sentences at home.
Under the amendments the parties adopted at a Commons justice committee, house arrest would still be ruled out for serious violent and sex offences, but not for things like car theft and breaking and entering.
Mr. Harper also appealed to the Liberals to “stop playing games” and let the federal Accountability Act pass.
He said the bill will protect against the “investigations, boondoggles and scandals,” that plagued two previous Liberal governments, and said the Liberals are now trying to block a bill the party originally endorsed.
“After stalling the Accountability Act in the Senate for over four months, the Liberals are trying to overturn major anti-corruption reforms by using their unelected majority, in that undemocratic, antiquated institution,” Mr. Harper said.
He said that is a perfect example of why this country needs an elected Senate.
