Tory memo: no breaks, rearrange your schedules

CBC News has obtained the memo Chief Government Whip Gordon O'Connor sent to the Conservative caucus advising them of the government's intention to cancel previously scheduled breaks in the Parliamentary calendar for this spring.

Apart from the news value of the break cancellations per se, it's an interesting read, as the latest in a series of messages justifying and explaining the need for this winter's prorogation.

Here's the memo in full:

TO CONSERVATIVE MPs

Dear Colleagues:

As you know, the purpose of prorogation is to allow time to prepare for a new Throne Speech and Budget, not to reduce the amount of time that the House sits.

Once Parliament resumes there will be a lot of work to do.  Members should expect that the House of Commons will sit during the week of March 15 to 19 and during the week of April 12 to 16.  Please arrange your schedules accordingly.

While any changes to the calendar require the consent of the other parties, our position is clear:  there is no reason for the House of Commons to take constituency breaks during these weeks.  Quite frankly, we would be surprised if the Opposition disagreed.

Regards,

The Hon. Gordon OConnor
Chief Government Whip