Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

Tories want Parliament declared 'essential service,' regular House sittings

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 May, 2020 04:51 PM
  • Tories want Parliament declared 'essential service,' regular House sittings

Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer wants Parliament declared an essential service so a reduced number of MPs can resume their House of Commons duties amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Scheer says his Conservatives are proposing a motion to do that because he says daily briefings by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from his home are not good enough to hold the government accountable.

He says MPs need to be able to ask questions on behalf of their constituents across the country.

Scheer says today that up to 50 MPs should be allowed in the House for "normal" sittings, starting Monday, and that 18 of them should be Conservatives, proportionate to his party's standings in the full 338-member chamber.

Currently, the Commons has turned into a special COVID-19 committee, meeting three times a week, twice virtually and once in person.

Trudeau says he wants to see a functioning Parliament, and is open to a "hybrid" model where some MPs could participate via videoconferencing.

MORE National ARTICLES

City Of Surrey Recognized As One Of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

The City of Surrey has been named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for a second year in a row. This national annual award recognizes employers who have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

City Of Surrey Recognized As One Of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

Man Allegedly Exposed Himself To Woman In Burnaby, Police Release A Composite Sketch Of The Suspect

Police are releasing a composite sketch of the suspect in the hopes that someone in the community is able to identify him to further the investigation.    

Man Allegedly Exposed Himself To Woman In Burnaby, Police Release A Composite Sketch Of The Suspect

Assault Outside Vancouver Pub; Man Left With Life-Threatening Injuries, Vancouver Police Looking For Witnesses

Vancouver Police are seeking witnesses to an assault last week on West Broadway that has left one man in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Assault Outside Vancouver Pub; Man Left With Life-Threatening Injuries, Vancouver Police Looking For Witnesses

A 4-Lane Pattullo Bridge & An 8-Lane Massey Tunnel - WATCH Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevana’s Interview

Darpan Magazine sat down with the Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena on what the future of transportation looks like

A 4-Lane Pattullo Bridge & An 8-Lane Massey Tunnel - WATCH Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevana’s Interview

B.C. Patients Served More Local Food Than Ever Before

Provincial health-care facilities are working hard to serve patients and residents more local food, supporting farmers, fishers, ranchers and processors, and connecting more people with food from B.C. communities.

B.C. Patients Served More Local Food Than Ever Before

Inuit Concerned About Potential Spread Of COVID-19 In North

The group says the Inuit must be considered in government responses because of the potential compounding threat to basic health and well-being in those communities.

Inuit Concerned About Potential Spread Of COVID-19 In North