Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

Law class

by Aaron Wherry on Monday, November 14, 2011 11:30am - 7 Comments

The House of Commons law clerk considers Dean Del Mastro’s demand that the CBC turn over documents related to a matter already before the courts.

The sub judice convention is based on the principle that each branch of our parliamentary system of government should respect the functions of the other branches and not interfere or appear to do what belongs to one of the other branches to do. Our parliamentary system of government is based on a separation of the three basic governmental powers or functions: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The judicial branch operates—and must be seen to operate—fully independent of both the executive and legislative branches. The credibility of the law courts as impartial arbiters of legal rights and as interpreters of the law depends on a clear recognition by the other branches of their independence.

Mr. Del Mastro previously, if temporarily, sought to have a sitting judge testify before a parliamentary committee.

Tags: Access to Information, cbc, Constitution, Dean del Mastro, judicial independence, Law

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Peterborough Dave

As of next Monday, we reach the tipping point- we’re closer to our return date to Peterborough than our departure date of last January. I need to restate that no one on my street voted for the guy. I guess we’ll just have to work on the surrounding streets in 2015. In the meantime, it’s 23 today and sunny.

PS- I hope Mr. Walsh isn’t a lapsed Catholic.

neuroticdog

In our iredeemingly conservative riding (both federally and provincially), I can never find anyone who voted for them, either. Either I need to get out more or you should put less confidence in your convictions, concerning neighbours’ political inclinations. (Just thought I’d throw that Canadian spelling of “neighbours” in there to expedite your re-acculturation).

Peterborough Dave

It’s tough enough writing ‘check’ all the time brother. And ‘restroom’. WTF is a ‘restroom’?

Anonymous

Referral to the clerk every time Dean Del Mastro is confused seems like an expensive way to address the — ahem — issue. Maybe he could read up on governance with this handy guide we provide to immigrants who are applying for citizenship:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/SenatorEugeneForsey/book/preface-e.html

Psst, no one tell him that Forsey was a Liberal.
http://dougsamu.wordpress.com doug rogers

“No one EXPECTS the Spanish Inquisition!”
Anonymous

Every time del Maestro speaks it strengthens my notion that he’s in politics because his family wants to keep him as far away from the family business as humanly possible.