OTTAWA— Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is declaring parliamentary war on the Liberal government.On Tuesday, Scheer threatened to use “emergency actions” to delay the introduction of today’s federal budget after Liberals used their majority to cut short a parliamentary probe into the SNC-Lavalin affair which has already cost the government the resignation of four of its top officials.Saying Canadians “still want answers,” Scheer was outraged by a Liberal vote earlier Tuesday to end an inquiry by the Commons justice committee into allegations the prime minister tried to tamper with a criminal prosecution of the Quebec company. He said the shutdown of the committee is itself “an abuse of power.”“It’s an affront to democracy and an attack on Parliament,” said Scheer.In protest, Opposition procedural tactics could well delay the federal budget, scheduled for release 4 p.m. Tuesday after money markets close, by up to several hours. But Scheer’s deputy leader and justice critic Lisa Raitt later clarified the party will not block the budget’s introduction entirely.Scheer refused to specify what moves the Opposition would make, but said Trudeau is using the federal budget “as nothing more than a political prop in an unprecedented coverup.”“If he expects us to quietly accept a coverup of his interference in a criminal prosecution he will get a rude awakening this afternoon,” said the Conservative leader.Scheer was speaking to reporters in the Commons foyer as many journalists, economists, stakeholders and Opposition MPs are in daylong closed-door budget “lock-ups” around Parliament Hill, getting briefed on embargoed details of the 2019 budget plan. They will not be released from the lock-ups and permitted to reveal budget details until Finance Minister Bill Morneau stands on his feet and begins to read the budget speech in public. In theory, the budget spee ...
|
