ACTION ALERT: Demand a fair and democratic lawmaking process! Send our Governor General a letter.

On November 16, 2010, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government unilaterally undermined legislation on climate change when bill C-311 was voted down by conservative senators in a surprise vote, and without any debate. This bill was previously supported by the majority of elected MPs and Canadians alike.

We must write to our Governor General, His Excellency David Johnston, and let him know that this circumvention of the democratic process is shameful!

Let's ask the Governor General to speak out in support of democracy and parliamentary traditions. Unelected senators should not be allowed to kill legislation that the majority of citizens support!

Using the form below, you can submit a letter to the Governor General. We’ve provided some sample text, but we encourage you to add to it and personalize your message for maximum effectiveness. Original letters have the greatest chance of being read by His Excellency.

For more information on Bill C-311's demise:
http://www.sierraclub.ca/en/media/release/reform-party-climate-change-deniers-use-unelected-senate-and-dirty-tricks

Subject:

Your Letter:

His Excellency
The Right Honourable David Johnston,
Governor General of Canada

Your Excellency,

Two years ago, your predecessor intervened in the parliamentary process. I'm writing to ask you to do it again. Canadians expect the Queen's representative to moderate the excesses of our elected and unelected parliamentarians. Defeating Bill C-311 is clearly an excess.

On November 16th, unelected senators defeated Bill C-311 in a surprise move, without debate or consideration. This was not a frivolous or unimportant bill. The House of Commons twice passed it through three readings. The bill was not unreasonable. It merely required the government to base climate change policy on science, just like all other environmental policies.

I fail to understand how a surprise vote without debate is in the spirit or tradition of the Senate – the part of government dedicated to sober second thought.

I urge you to speak out for democracy and express your disapproval of the Senate’s recent behaviour and ask it to reconsider its action.

Sincerely,

The Right Honourable David Johnston

Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1
CA

ACTION ALERT: Demand a fair and democratic lawmaking process! Send our Governor General a letter.

The Right Honourable David Johnston

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