Thursday, December 18, 2025
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

David Cohen sworn in as Canadian ambassador

David Cohen sworn in as Canadian ambassador
David Cohen has been sworn in as the new United States ambassador to Canada — the first full-time American envoy since 2019. Vice-president Kamala Harris presided over the process in her ceremonial offices earlier today.

David Cohen sworn in as Canadian ambassador

Alberta confirms first Omicron COVID-19 case

Alberta confirms first Omicron COVID-19 case
Alberta is reporting its first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The province's chief medical health officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, says the case was confirmed in a traveller returning from Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Alberta confirms first Omicron COVID-19 case

Most B.C. government workers are vaccinated

Most B.C. government workers are vaccinated
The Public Service Agency says in a statement 432 employees either are unvaccinated or declined to disclose their status before the Nov. 22 deadline for them to be either partially or fully vaccinated.

Most B.C. government workers are vaccinated

Hwy99 Closure at 4PM Tuesday afternoon between Lillooet & Pemberton due to heavy rainfall

Hwy99 Closure at 4PM Tuesday afternoon between Lillooet & Pemberton due to heavy rainfall
Highway 99 will be closing between Lillooet and Pemberton on Tuesday at 4pm. BC Hwy99 remains open to essential travel under 14,500kg until 4PM. Please be aware that closure may occur sooner.

Hwy99 Closure at 4PM Tuesday afternoon between Lillooet & Pemberton due to heavy rainfall

Opposition derides throne speech in House

Opposition derides throne speech in House
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and the NDP's Jagmeet Singh delivered their official responses to last week's throne speech, which outlines the Liberal government's priorities for the current Parliament.

Opposition derides throne speech in House

Trudeau didn't defame woman in 2018: judge

Trudeau didn't defame woman in 2018: judge
A Quebec Superior Court judge has dismissed a defamation suit brought against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by a woman who heckled him at a 2018 rally south of Montreal. Justice Michèle Monast wrote in a decision released Monday that Diane Blain's lawsuit was ill-founded and abusive.

Trudeau didn't defame woman in 2018: judge