Power of prorogation ‘not absolute,’ challengers tell Federal Court [Video]

Two Nova Scotia men are asking the Federal Court to declare the current suspension of Parliament illegal because there must be a “reasonable justification” for hitting the pause button.

Federal lawyers contend in response that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s advice to the Governor General to prorogue Parliament is not subject to review by the courts, and that the ultimate judgment rests with the voting public.

Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton is listening to arguments from both sides of the dispute during a two day-hearing that began Thursday.

In their application filed last month, David MacKinnon of Amherst, N.S., and Aris Lavranos of Halifax seek an order setting aside Trudeau’s decision to advise Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to exercise her power to prorogue Parliament until March 24.

MacKinnon and Lavranos also request a declaration that this session of Parliament has not been prorogued.

On Jan. 6, Trudeau fought back tears …