The Government’s move to restrict expert testimony on anti-terrorist bill C 51 to three days in committee confirms my suspicions that Prime Minister Stephen Harper may call an election before summer instead of waiting for the fall election as provided by law.
The stars are aligned. He will present a balanced budget in April before the impact of oil lower prices impacts government revenues later this year. The economy is still ticking over. The public generally supports stronger anti-terrorist measures and the Opposition’s plans to call up to 50 witnesses, including four former prime ministers and seven former Supreme Court judges looks like foot dragging in the face of real or perceived threats to the Canadian public.
So do the math. Fast track C 51 through the House and the subservient Senate, bring in the post Easter budget, add the mandatory budget debate and drop the writ for an election in June. And relieved Canadians have a summer free of political rhetoric!