Queen's Park provincial legislature in Toronto.
Liberal Minister Micheal Coteau.
A political drama is being played out between the three main parties in Ontario’s legislature to lay claim over a proclamation to name January as Tamil Heritage Month. Governing Liberals’ Immigration and Citizenship Minister Micheal Coteau blamed opposition parties of playing ‘political football’ over the act.
“It’s also important to note that the New Democratic Party (NDP) motion is non-binding, which means that even if the motion passes, January will not officially be proclaimed Tamil Heritage Month. It’s unfortunate that this information was not shared with you,” Coteau said in a letter sent to community media outlets and organizations.
The NDP House Leader says the Liberals were trying to score points over the issue and asked the government to take up the proclamation if passed on Monday.
NDP House Leader Gilles Bisson
“It will be debated as an opposition day motion, which is a non-binding motion that expresses the will of all 107 MPPs. If the motion passes, New Democrats hope the Liberal government will do the right thing and proclaim January Tamil Heritage Month,” said NDP House Leader Gilles Bisson.
MONDAY VOTE ‘CRUCIAL’
“On Monday, I hope Liberals and Conservatives can put their partisan ways aside and vote for this motion which will celebrate the rich heritage, culture and traditions of the Tamil community and their contribution to the province,” he added
A candidate of Sri Lankan Tamil background for the opposition Progressive Conservative party says their MPP Todd Smith’s private members’ public bill entitled an Act to Proclaim Tamil Heritage Month will be read on Monday morning’s session at Queen’s Park legislature in Toronto
Ken Kirupa PC candidate for Scarborough Guildwood.
“Monday morning is a crucial time. We will be trying to pass the proclamation for the third time,” said Ken Kirupa candidate for PC party in Scarborough Guildwood.
In his letter, the Minister Coteau also criticized the PC party for not following traditionsin the legislature.
“It’s disappointing that the PC Party did not respect the traditions of the Ontario Legislature as a member tried to move this Bill forward. Typically, bills that are supported by all three parties are discussed before they are moved, and agreement is reached before proceeding,” he said in the letter.
Yet Kirupa said his party was committed to the bill and the community at large.
“We’ll see what will happen,” he said, adding that the previous attempt by his party ended when legislature was prorogued in 2012.
