Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

House of Commons can manage virtual voting securely if MPs want it, Speaker says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2020 07:14 PM
  • House of Commons can manage virtual voting securely if MPs want it, Speaker says

House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota says he is comfortable the technology is in place to safely allow MPs to vote remotely during the hybrid Parliament sittings.

Rota tells the procedure and House affairs committee today he is confident the process for public votes is secure and that it's up to MPs to decide which kind of system is appropriate to approve.

Security concerns and other barriers to letting MPs vote while attending the House of Commons virtually kept the Liberals and NDP from supporting a return to normal last month.

The House of Commons is continuing with hybrid sittings of the special COVID-19 committee, with some MPs attending in person and others via an adapted online videoconference.

Conservative and Bloc MPs want a return to normal proceedings, which they say allow them to better hold the government accountable for hundreds of billions of dollars in pandemic aid.

Rota says any electronic or virtual voting system must ensure MPs know what they are voting on, that the House can verify their identities and that have enough time to make it to the vote.

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau promises to speed $2.2 billion in funding for strapped cities

Trudeau promises to speed $2.2 billion in funding for strapped cities
The federal government is rushing out $2.2 billion in anticipated infrastructure funding to Canada's cities and while municipal leaders say it might help with a short-term cash crunch, it is not enough to fill the budget hole COVID-19 created.

Trudeau promises to speed $2.2 billion in funding for strapped cities

11 arrested, dozens of businesses damaged after Montreal anti-racism rally

11 arrested, dozens of businesses damaged after Montreal anti-racism rally
Quebec authorities spoke out Monday about the need to fight racism, while condemning the looting and vandalism that followed a Montreal demonstration demanding justice for a black man who died following a police intervention in Minnesota.

11 arrested, dozens of businesses damaged after Montreal anti-racism rally

Family says 'back and forth' between N.S., Ottawa over shooting probe 'unreal

Family says 'back and forth' between N.S., Ottawa over shooting probe 'unreal
A Nova Scotia family has made a passionate appeal for the federal and Nova Scotia governments to end the "back and forth" over which should lead a public inquiry into a recent mass shooting.

Family says 'back and forth' between N.S., Ottawa over shooting probe 'unreal

Promising summer after lacklustre spring, Weather Network predicts

Promising summer after lacklustre spring, Weather Network predicts
Most Canadians may have missed out on spring, but one of the country's most prominent weather forecasters says they'll likely get to enjoy a more seasonal summer.

Promising summer after lacklustre spring, Weather Network predicts

Trans Mountain reaches 'key milestone' as pipeline construction begins in B.C.

Trans Mountain reaches 'key milestone' as pipeline construction begins in B.C.
Trans Mountain says it has reached another "key milestone" in the project to triple capacity of a pipeline moving oil from the Edmonton area to port in Burnaby, B.C.

Trans Mountain reaches 'key milestone' as pipeline construction begins in B.C.

Linda Seymour named new president and chief executive of HSBC Canada

Linda Seymour named new president and chief executive of HSBC Canada
HSBC Canada says Linda Seymour has been appointed as the bank's president and chief executive, effective Sept. 1.

Linda Seymour named new president and chief executive of HSBC Canada