OTTAWA — The NDP has punished one of its MPs for voting his conscience, against party lines, on a motion condemning the Liberal government’s new requirements for Canada Summer Jobs grants. The motion protested a new funding prerequisite that groups applying for Canada Summer Jobs grants attest, by checking a box on the application form, that their core mandate respects rights and freedoms, including abortion rights. The Conservative motion argued that all non-political, non-activist groups should be eligible for federal money, whether or not they agree with the attestation. Unfortunately, the debate had evolved beyond the contents of the motion at play, raising legitimate worries about the impact. You don’t make such a decision “lightly,” Christopherson said earlier this week — parties promise consequences when MPs do not fall into line.

Source: National Post March 23, 2018 22:18 UTC