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November 23rd, 2017

NDP Launches Historic Appeal on Abandoned Vessels Legislation

OTTAWA – Today, NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson launched an historic appeal on her abandoned vessels bill (C-352) which will lead to a secret ballot vote in the House of Commons allowing individual MPs to decide if her bill should be votable. This appeal, a first in Canada’s history, comes after the Liberals used their majority at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to block C-352.

“15 years of coastal community solutions are built into the abandoned vessel legislation I brought to Parliament, but the Liberal government is trying to prevent MPs from hearing those voices," said Sheila Malcolmson, NDP MP for Nanaimo—Ladysmith. “I am moving forward with this historic appeal so that coastal communities can be heard.”

The current version of Bill, C-352, was introduced in the House on April 13. On October 30, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-64. It is this bill, tabled by the Government after C-352 was placed in the Order of Precedence, that caused this situation

“My bill fills all the gaps in the Trudeau government's new bill, and addresses the concerns of coastal communities, so they should both be allowed to proceed,” said Malcolmson, NDP MP for Nanaimo—Ladysmith. “I am appealing to backbench MPs to do the right thing, and allow debate on my bill to go forward.”
Her colleague NDP House Leader, Peter Julian added that “this is about MPs’ right to present legislation in Parliament. We have seen this Liberal government consistently try to make Parliament work for the Liberal government. The NDP will always stand against attempts to strong arm Parliament and defend fulsome debate on ideas”.