Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Sep, 2020 08:04 PM
  • Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

The House of Commons will sit this fall with most MPs participating by video link so they can stay physically apart during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez introduced a motion to set the rules for "hybrid" sittings as the Commons sat for the first time in months Wednesday afternoon.

Those include having MPs vote via video conference until a secure remote voting application for smartphones is ready, and reducing the number of members who have to be physically present for quorum.

The plan also includes reconstituting committees such as a special body examining Canada-China relations.

The Conservatives had argued for in-person sittings only, with limited numbers of MPs in the chamber, and had opposed electronic voting.

But the MPs present Wednesday, including Tories, approved the plan unanimously.

The arrangement is to stay in place until Dec. 11, though MPs could vote to extend it then.

MORE National ARTICLES

Energy sector seeks reassurance in throne speech

Energy sector seeks reassurance in throne speech
Earlier this year Ottawa scaled back the requirements of the standard over the first few years to give companies more time to recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, but McMillan says that is not enough.

Energy sector seeks reassurance in throne speech

Toronto to open centre for those with COVID

Toronto to open centre for those with COVID
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Friday the federal government is providing $13.9 million to Toronto Public Health — enough to operate the 140-room isolation centre that opens this weekend for the next 12 months.

Toronto to open centre for those with COVID

Victims of ex-senator deserve better: lawyer

Victims of ex-senator deserve better: lawyer
The evaluator had been tasked to speak with six former employees in Meredith's office and review all materials from a four-year investigation by the Senate ethics officer.

Victims of ex-senator deserve better: lawyer

Ex-Liberal MP charged with fraud, breach of trust

Ex-Liberal MP charged with fraud, breach of trust
They allege the former MP for Brampton East took millions of dollars in personal loans without telling the federal ethics commissioner, and that he used his political position to solicit those loans.

Ex-Liberal MP charged with fraud, breach of trust

Gang leader to be sentenced in Surrey Six case

Gang leader to be sentenced in Surrey Six case
Jamie Bacon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to murder Corey Lal in the so-called Surrey Six case.

Gang leader to be sentenced in Surrey Six case

More smoke from U.S. wildfires to waft over B.C

More smoke from U.S. wildfires to waft over B.C
Environment Canada's air quality health index lists air quality at moderate to high risk for many parts of southern B.C., meaning those with health issues should reduce outdoor activities.

More smoke from U.S. wildfires to waft over B.C