You remember that famous filibuster Jimmy Stewart’s character tried to pull off in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington? Well, NDP MP Peter Julian (left)is mounting his own filibuster today — although one suspects it may not have the same satisfying ending that the movie had.
A few minutes ago, Julian began introducing one of 98 amendments he has in his pocket to the softwood lumber deal. He’s doing this at the Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. The committee has limited Julian’s remarks in support of each amendment to just 3 minutes. Still, even with just three minutes each, Julian believes he can keep the committee at work until midnight tonight.
From the NDP press release on this:
Julian is seeking to, among many other points: lower the penalties on companies that do not participate in the so-called softwood deal and eliminate the double taxation of Canadian lumber companies.
“I’m going to debate and opposes this deal until I have no voice – literally,” said Julian. “This softwood sellout is a raw deal for Canadian lumber workers and their families.”