Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Omicron prompts reduction of Liberal MPs in House

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Dec, 2021 05:42 PM
  • Omicron prompts reduction of Liberal MPs in House

The federal government is vastly reducing the number of Liberal MPs present in the House of Commons due to the lightning spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

In addition, government House leader Mark Holland says all regional and national Liberal caucus meetings Wednesday will be entirely virtual.

He says he's informed his opposition counterparts about the governing party's decision to limit its numbers in the House but it will be up to other parties to decide whether to follow suit.

Holland says the Liberals are following the advice of public health officials, who are urging Canadians to avoid mass gatherings as Omicron spreads like wildfire.

Since the new session of Parliament opened last month, the majority of the country's 338 MPs have been showing up for in-person proceedings in the House, where it is difficult to keep two metres apart.

However, the Liberals and New Democrats joined forces to approve a continuation of hybrid sittings, which gives MPs the option of participating virtually in proceedings.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

New COVID-19 variant sparks border concerns

New COVID-19 variant sparks border concerns
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has called for the government to immediately strengthen border screening in the face of a highly mutated new variant of COVID-19. The World Health Organization will meet Friday to discuss variant B.1.1.529, which originated in South Africa.

New COVID-19 variant sparks border concerns

B.C. braces for more rain as PM to see flood zone

B.C. braces for more rain as PM to see flood zone
Rainstorms of increasing intensity are forecast to hit British Columbia over the coming days, prompting warnings for people to be prepared to evacuate. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the biggest storm is expected to arrive Tuesday and people living in areas prone to flooding should be on alert.

B.C. braces for more rain as PM to see flood zone

Human remains in two separate investigations identified

Human remains in two separate investigations identified
The two investigations are not connected and criminality is not believed to be a factor in either death. Both investigations have been turned over to BC Coroners Service. The families of the deceased men have been notified.

Human remains in two separate investigations identified

Extension granted for money laundering report

Extension granted for money laundering report
An inquiry commission has received a six-month extension to file its final report into money laundering in British Columbia. A statement from the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in B.C. says the provincial government has approved a deadline extension to May 20 from Dec. 15.

Extension granted for money laundering report

424 COVID19 cases for Thursday

424 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are currently 3,061 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 211,202 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 295 individuals are in hospital and 112 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

424 COVID19 cases for Thursday

CERB recipients set to get debt notices

CERB recipients set to get debt notices
The government now says there are still recipients who owe some or all of the $2,000, specifically those who were not entitled to the aid or didn't collect CERB for at least 20 weeks.

CERB recipients set to get debt notices