OTTAWA  –  “I have had several calls and emails from constituents extremely concerned that prorogation of Parliament ‘killed’ the Private Member’s Bill (PMB) to end the inefficient and wasteful long-gun registry,” says Leon Benoit, MP for Vegreville-Wainwright. “I want to stress that this is not the case thanks to changes in the legislative process our party made some time ago. Bill C-391 had passed second reading and reached Committee Stage, so it will return at the exact same point when Parliament resumes on March 3rd.”

“Some constituents are also concerned about the prorogation itself,” continues Benoit. “The fact is, in Canada prorogation is a routine, constitutionally-legitimate process.  It has occurred 105 times in the last 143 years.  The average Parliamentary session lasts approximately one year which was indeed the length of the last session.”

Benoit explains that the Economic Action Plan implemented by the Government a year ago included one of the most comprehensive stimulus packages in the industrialized world.  “As of the end of 2009, all of the stimulus and budget measures had been adopted and implemented.  While the continued delivery of our Economic Action Plan remains a top priority, the fact is that the economic landscape today is fundamentally different than a year ago,” says Benoit. “It is now time to consult with Canadians again, recalibrate our agenda and set new priorities.  That was the purpose of prorogation—a purpose entirely consistent with the past practice of all federal governments.”

Some of main priorities the Budget and Throne Speech will contain will be focussing on (1) completing implementation of the Economic Action Plan, (2) returning to balanced budgets once the economy has recovered, and (3) building the economy of the future.

“Personally, during the 22 days the House is prorogued, I will be conducting 14 town hall meetings throughout Vegreville-Wainwright to talk to and hear from constituents about what they want from their government over the next 12 months,” states Benoit. “The schedule of meetings is available on my website (www.leonbenoit.ca) or from my office. I hope people will attend, and bring their suggestions for Budget 2010.”