Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real
The head of Toronto's police service took a public knee on Friday in solidarity with marching anti-racism demonstrators protesting police killings of black people, with similar demonstrations planned in other Canadian cities.

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is offering $14 billion to the provincial and territorial governments for measures to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys
Amendments to the city's building bylaw approved by Council last week will allow mass timber construction up to 12 storeys for residential and commercial uses, doubling the current height limit of 6 storeys. With changes taking effect on July 1, permitting taller mass timber construction within the Building By-law will make it easier to build with low carbon materials, support housing affordability, and remove barriers for the construction industry at a time of crisis and economic recovery.

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens
New COVID-19 modelling information highlights the virus-fighting benefits of safe distancing protocols as British Columbia reopens the province while the pandemic progresses.

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect
The top Mountie in Kelowna, B.C., has been transferred to another job days after videos emerged of an officer punching a suspect. Supt. Brent Mundle is taking a new position with the senior management team of the force's Southeast Division based in the Okanagan city.

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect

Surrey RCMP say cases of child pornography have jumped more than double in a span of 3 years

Surrey RCMP say cases of child pornography have jumped more than double in a span of 3 years
Over the past three years, the Surrey RCMP Special Victims Unit has seen an increase in the number of child pornography related charges rising from 55 reports in 2017, to 122 reports in 2019. There has also been a persistent number of reports related to child luring, with 19 reports in 2017, 16 in 2018, and 18 in 2019.

Surrey RCMP say cases of child pornography have jumped more than double in a span of 3 years