House of Commons resumes regular sittings despite pandemic, Nova Scotia shooting
Posted April 20, 2020 11:23 am.
Last Updated April 20, 2020 11:38 am.
OTTAWA – In the wake of the worst mass shooting in Canadian history, and amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, members of Parliament have been forced to return to the House of Commons for regular business, after political parties failed to reach an agreement on reduced sittings.
As most of the country tries to work from home and practice physical distancing, a limited number of MP’s are back in the house debating procedure — in person.
Green Party MP Paul Manly kicked off the sitting by filing an official complaint the safety of MP’s is being put at risk
“The rights and privileges of many members is prima facie violated by any motion to proceed with regular sittings of the House,” he said Monday.
Manly notes many provinces have strict self isolation rules, meaning MPs would be forced into isolation if they go to the House for proceedings. Also following the worst mass shooting in Canadian history he says it is not the time to be debating procedure #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 20, 2020
The Conservatives spiked an all-party agreement to hold one in-person sitting day a week, along with two virtual sittings, saying they need at least two in-person sittings to hold the government to account for its response in this pandemic.
Conservative Leader @AndrewScheer says his party believes that frequent accountability sessions in the House of Commons create better results for Canadians. #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 20, 2020
“Though it’s clearly the case that in this pandemic and this crisis, we need more accountability, more oversight, not less of it,” Tory Leader Andrew Scheer said.
Conservative Leader @AndrewScheer speaking, after federal parties fail to reach an agreement on reduced sittings amid the #COVID19 pandemic.
Liberals, NDP & BQ agree to one in person sitting a week plus up to 2 virtual sittings.
Conservatives want 3 in person sittings #cdnpoli— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 20, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously criticized the Conservative stance, but struck a different tone in the wake of the massacre in Nova Scotia.
“I don’t want to get into arguments with anyone today. We are working together among all parties to try and figure out a way to both protect and uphold our democracy to ensure there is proper accountability, while at the same time doing that responsibly,” he said at his daily briefing Monday. “I’m hopeful that by the end of the day today, we’ll have a clear path forward, that we’ll both defend our institutions and appreciate the context that we’re in right now.”
On House sittings Trudeau was asked to comment on the Conservatives rejecting the agreement reached by Liberals, NDP and BQ. The Prime Minister says today is not the day for partisan bickering. Says talks still underway and he is hopeful a deal can be reached #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 20, 2020
The Bloc Quebecois claims the Conservatives are holding parliament hostage.
BQ Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet: "I would rather have one meeting of the parliament each week, than having for each time that we need to vote to submit to blackmailing and the parliament being taken hostage by the Conservatives" #cdnpoli #COVID19
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) April 20, 2020
The House of Commons is currently debating a Liberal motion on changing the rules for sittings.