‘Parliament as defender of the public purse’

Pierre Poilievre invokes the highest principle

<p>Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday March 7, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld</p>

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday March 7, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

In a speech delivered yesterday, Pierre Poilievre explains why the Harper government wants input into collective bargaining at crown corporations.

It is a lovely principle. One that could be equally applied to comprehensive estimates reform, a fully independent and well-funded parliamentary budget officer, the independence of government backbenchers, the independence of parliamentary committees and the importance of government transparency and disclosure.