Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian MPs meet online in first virtual session of House of Commons

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Apr, 2020 07:02 PM
  • Canadian MPs meet online in first virtual session of House of Commons

Canada's first-ever virtual House of Commons kicked off this afternoon with almost 90 per cent of MPs dialed in to start. The House of Commons special committee on COVID-19 is meeting via videoconference this afternoon. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said in his opening statement that he could see that 297 of the 338 MPs were online at that moment.

The special committee was struck as a way to circumvent the rules that govern how official sittings must occur, while further discussions are held about whether those rules can be changed to allow virtual sittings of the House officially.

Just as many Canadians have discovered moving in-person meetings to the virtual world, MPs experienced some technical glitches — mostly with the audio.

Some MPs couldn't figure out how to unmute themselves, others accidentally began to comment when they didn't mean to unmute. The biggest problem appeared to be with the translation, a glitch that continually had some MPs complaining they couldn't hear or that the translation was being played at the same volume as the actual speaker.

Most MPs appeared good-humoured about the problems. Health Minister Patty Hajdu laughed at herself when she was unable to initially figure out how to unmute her microphone.

Being outside the chamber brings its own host of issues, though thus far no children or pets have made an appearance.

Blanchet did have to pause his opening speech because something in his office was ringing. He assured people it was not a fire alarm as he tried to find the source of the noise. Unlike the real House of Commons, Speaker Anthony Rota did not chastise him for the interruption.

He did however chastise MPs he caught taking photos of their screens. Much like photos are not allowed to be taken during House or committee proceedings, Rota told them they are not to take photos of MPs on their screens.

He said he knows it's a "historic" day but warned them not to post any photos they have taken on social media.

While Rota and MPs can see squares of anyone who is dialed in, the public can only see the person who is speaking, which is similar to the way parliamentary sittings are broadcast in normal times.

Hajdu was the first member of cabinet to issue a statement, thanking front-line and essential workers for their service, and Canadians for doing their part to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada.

"We are seeing hopeful evidence that Canada's COVID-19 epidemic is slowing down," she said.

She said the length of time it is taking for the total number of confirmed cases to double, has gone from about three days in late March to more than 16 days now. However Hajdu said the outbreaks in long-term care homes are responsible for more than three-quarters of all deaths in Canada.

"This is indeed a tragedy," she said.

The rest of the afternoon is now reserved for questions from MPs to ministers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is participating in the virtual committee meeting from his home office in Ottawa.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Declares Public Health Emergency On COVID-19 As Three More Deaths Reported

VICTORIA - British Columbia declared a public health emergency Tuesday after reporting three new COVID-19 deaths and 83 more cases of the virus.

B.C. Declares Public Health Emergency On COVID-19 As Three More Deaths Reported

Parliament To Return To Deal With Emergency Financial Aid Package

Parliament To Return To Deal With Emergency Financial Aid Package
OTTAWA - Parliament will be recalled for legislation to free up billions in financial aid for Canadians and businesses to weather the COVID-19 crisis, likely next week.    

Parliament To Return To Deal With Emergency Financial Aid Package

'Don't Panic, But Take It Seriously': Canadian In Italy Offers Advice

Alex Grant says it was a familiar scene in Milan just weeks ago, when most Italians were aware of the novel coronavirus but social distancing felt like a suggestion and not a civic duty.    

'Don't Panic, But Take It Seriously': Canadian In Italy Offers Advice

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020
The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 2 p.m. on March 18, 2020:    

The latest numbers of COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 18, 2020

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19
TORONTO - The CBC temporarily scrapped most of its local TV newscasts to consolidate resources at CBC News Network amid the COVID-19 crisis on Wednesday — a move the premier of Prince Edward Island said should be reversed to keep remote and vulnerable communities informed during the pandemic.    

CBC Temporarily Scraps Local TV Newscasts, Except For The North, Due To COVID-19

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada
TORONTO - The COVID-19 outbreak coupled with fears about more restrictive gun legislation has fuelled a spike in firearm and ammunition sales, several dealers said this week.    

COVID, Law Fears Fuel Spike In Firearms, Ammunition Sales Across Canada