The story
Michael Chong wants MPs to have more power. Today, he unleashes his latest proposed reforms to that end. The Conservative MP for Wellington-Halton Hills has stuck his neck out for MP independence in the past. When the Conservatives first came to power, Chong was made Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He resigned that post, on principle, when the government introduced a motion that recognized the Quebecois as a nation within a united Canada. He didn’t make a huge fuss. He just quit cabinet. Later, Chong proposed reforms to Question Period that were never implemented. People who tune into QP seemed to broadly like the ideas.

Now, Chong’s suggesting that MPs should wield more power in the House. He’s tabling a bill that would remove the requirement that party leaders sign candidates’ nomination papers, and also allow party caucuses to remove their leaders. Today, Chong tables the bill, which has received plenty more public discussion than does most private members’ legislation. Andrew Coyne supports it. Jonathan Kay said some nice things. Chantal Hebert seems skeptical, but cautiously acknowledges the bill’s merit. Aaron Wherry has more on what exactly Chong is proposing, and you can bet Wherry will follow this to the end.

The stat
4: The number of MPs who currently support the bill, according to a website that unofficially promotes the legislation.

The quote
“I look forward to a vigorous debate on the merits of these proposed reforms to Canada’s Parliament and hope the bill will receive multi-party support.” —Chong’s statement of Dec. 1, written very diplomatically

 

What’s above the fold

The Globe and Mail	Canada dropped to 13th in global math proficiency in an OECD report.
National Post	Stephen Harper’s trip to Israel is all about securing the Jewish vote.
Toronto Star	Ontario’s government will move to close daycare licencing loopholes.
Ottawa Citizen	Ontarians’ hydro bills will rise 42 per cent over five years.
CBC News	There are more runaway trains in Canada than previously reported.
CTV News	A Senate committee might call a senior Deloitte partner to testify.
National Newswatch	Ben Perrin’s emails give new life to the Wright-Duffy affair.

 

What you might have missed

THE NATIONAL	Terror. When RCMP officers found books about bomb-making and torture in a British Columbia teenager’s home, they classified the unidentified 17-year-old boy as a terror threat. Judge Chris Cleaveley stripped the teen of internet access and sentenced him to 20 days in custody.
THE GLOBAL	Tripoli. The Lebanese army will take control of Tripoli, the country’s second-largest city, after two days of street fighting over the weekend killed 10 and wounded 49. The clashes are seen as spillover from the ongoing Syrian civil war, in which Tripoli’s Sunni and Shi’ite factions have taken sides.

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