What does 'proroguing parliament' mean?

Ever heard the word 'proroguing'?

Since 'rogue' is built right into the word, you could surmise it might have something to do with 'going rogue' the act of disregarding the rules, behaving dangerously or erratically or being a scoundrel.

That thinking may actually fit in this instance of Canada's proroguing parliament.

You see, proroguing is a term that refers to the end of a session of parliament, in this case, the halt before Christmas until the House of Commons is scheduled to pick up again Jan. 27.

Prorogue comes from the Latin meaning 'to stretch out,' 'to defer' or 'to discontinue.'

All parliamentary business stops and the government has time to re-set.

All normal enough procedures.

However, this proroguing comes at a critical time for Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

It's certainly not a calming Christmas break.

The three opposition parties (Conservatives, NDP and Bloc Quebecois) are fed up with Trudeau, even more than usual.

You could say the opposition parties' sentiment reflects public opinion.

The consensus seems to be that Trudeau is toast and it's just a matter of time with proroguing standing in the way in the meantime.

All three opposition parties are calling for a federal general election early in 2025.

But, before we even get that far, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who has been a long-time ally of Trudeau and allowed his minority government to hang on with the NDP's support, has to bring a non-confidence motion against Trudeau and the Liberals as soon as MPs get back to work on Jan. 27.

Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola Conservative MP Dan Albas wants to see it happen even faster than that.

"This prime minister doesn't need more time, he's run out of time," said Albas of Trudeau.

"(Federal Conservative leader) Pierre Poilievre has asked that parliament be recalled immediately to test confidence in Trudeau and his Liberals. And then we can dissolve this parliament and have an election."

Albas calls the inevitable upcoming vote "the carbon tax election".

That's because Trudeau and the Liberals will likely be toppled partially for their support of the controversial and unpopular levy and a new party will come to power and scrap the tax.

Albas doesn't want to be presumptuous and will leave the choosing of the next government up to voting Canadians.

But, he hopes the "fresh government with a new mandate" is the Conservatives with Pierre Poilievre as prime minister.

"This parliament is done," said Albas.

"Canadians deserve a prime minister that puts Canadians first instead of himself (Trudeau) and his party first."

Albas said Trudeau is running scared because he's read the writing on the wall.

"It's unprecedented that all opposition parties are saying his time is up," said Albas.

"Even his former deputy prime minister and finance minister (Chrystia Freeland) no longer has confidence in Trudeau."

Freeland quit both posts on Dec. 16, but remains as a Liberal MP.

_{Thumbnail photos from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, Dan Albas Facebook and Justin Trudeau Facebook}