January 10, 2025

January 2025 – Our Prime Minister’s announcement and understanding prorogation

Dear Neighbour,

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he will no longer be the leader of the Liberal Party in the next election. He also announced that the Governor General has prorogued this session of Parliament. The next session will begin with a Throne Speech on March 24th.

I have received many questions which I will answer below, but I would like to begin by reflecting on our Prime Minister’s leadership. Over the past ten years, he has transformed our country. Picking up from a period of no climate plan and rising emissions, he ensured that we took action to fight climate change and protect the environment for future generations. He pushed for a progressive vision for our country including creating a National Childcare Program, a National School Food Program, the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Dental Care Plan. Our government recommitted to supporting cities by delivering funding for affordable housing and public transit. Perhaps one of the greatest parts of his legacy will be his leadership during the pandemic, where strong supports were put in place for individuals and businesses to help them through those difficult times. Many of us will long remember the daily updates outside of his home in that time of uncertainty. All of this will be his legacy. It wasn’t without blemishes, but there are lots of important accomplishments for which he will be remembered.

Prime Minister Trudeau will continue in his role until a new leader is chosen. Government will continue its work, and I will continue to stand up for issues that matter to our community. I look forward to hearing your feedback as to what you would like to see as we begin this next chapter for our country.

What is prorogation?

Prorogation ends this parliamentary session. At 1140 days, this past parliamentary session was the longest for a minority parliament in Canadian history. The prorogation is until March 24th, at which time there will be a Throne Speech.

The House of Commons and Senate will not sit during this period of time, but government continues its work- just as it does during any regular constituency week. For example, I will continue my work on behalf of our community and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources, and Environment and Climate Change. This includes my work on a cap on emissions from the oil and gas industry.

I have been asked about the length of time of this prorogation. In fact, we were not scheduled to return to sitting in the House of Commons until January 27th, and the Ontario legislature will not sit until March 3rd. Ultimately, we will sit 4 weeks less than our regular calendar due to the prorogation.

One big change is that all legislation and committee work is dropped from the Order Paper. Laws that were active but hadn’t passed would have to be reintroduced in the next sitting. This clears the way for a new session of Parliament and a relaunch of an agenda that can only begin with a new speech from the throne. 

Please note, that during prorogation, my constituency office will continue to function as normal and will continue to be available to assist community members with federal departments like IRCC and the CRA.

Yours,

Julie

Julie Dabrusin

Member of Parliament for Toronto--Danforth