Thursday, April 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

MPs reviewing virtual voting options to bolster COVID-19 Parliament

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jul, 2020 06:36 PM
  • MPs reviewing virtual voting options to bolster COVID-19 Parliament

Virtual voting options are under review by the committee of MPs tasked with figuring out how to run Parliament in the COVID-19 era.

Speaker Anthony Rota told MPs today that virtual voting could be done using a special mobile app that would give MPs the option of voting from nearly anywhere.

MPs have been grappling since March with how they can fulfil their obligations when COVID-19 restrictions have largely precluded business as usual in the House of Commons.

Several compromises have been reached along the way, including a hybrid model that allows MPs to participate in person or virtually in debates or committee meetings.

But those debates and meetings have been limited in scope and the Opposition Conservatives have pressed for a full return to business.

The Liberals have said one thing that would need to be sorted out, however, is virtual voting to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission among hundreds of MPs who would otherwise pack the Commons chamber.

MORE National ARTICLES

Why U.S. wants tariffs on Canadian aluminum

Why U.S. wants tariffs on Canadian aluminum
The United States is once again threatening to spark a fresh tariff war with Canada over aluminum exports, despite the debut of a North American trade agreement that was supposed to usher in stability in the midst of an international economic crisis.

Why U.S. wants tariffs on Canadian aluminum

Canada suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

Canada suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada is suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong as part of a package of responses to the new security law China has imposed on the territory.

Canada suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

Vancouver man pleads guilty to child pornography related charges

Vancouver man pleads guilty to child pornography related charges
A 68-year-old Vancouver man was sentenced this week after a Vancouver Police investigation into child pornography.

Vancouver man pleads guilty to child pornography related charges

'Queue jumpers' not welcome in B.C. as COVID-19 U.S. cases rise: B.C. premier

'Queue jumpers' not welcome in B.C. as COVID-19 U.S. cases rise: B.C. premier
British Columbia's premier has a message for Americans coming across the border on their way to Alaska: Do not stop in the province while COVID-19 cases continue rising in the United States.

'Queue jumpers' not welcome in B.C. as COVID-19 U.S. cases rise: B.C. premier

Psychiatrists, Ontario liable for patient abuse

Psychiatrists, Ontario liable for patient abuse
Two psychiatrists have been found liable for the harm they caused inmates at a maximum security mental-health facility, who said the mistreatment they endured amounted to torture.

Psychiatrists, Ontario liable for patient abuse

Tories ask watchdog to probe WE Charity deals

Tories ask watchdog to probe WE Charity deals
The Conservatives are asking the federal procurement watchdog to review the circumstances around several sole-sourced contracts between the Liberal government and WE Charity.

Tories ask watchdog to probe WE Charity deals