Sunday, July 5, 2026
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

WATCH: NO SUCH THING AS A COVID19 SECOND WAVE, INDIA’S WATER CRISIS

WATCH: NO SUCH THING AS A COVID19 SECOND WAVE, INDIA’S WATER CRISIS
WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris says there will is only one big wave, no evidence for a second wave,

WATCH: NO SUCH THING AS A COVID19 SECOND WAVE, INDIA’S WATER CRISIS

Ontario's pediatric hospitals release guide for full-time school

Ontario's pediatric hospitals release guide for full-time school
Ontario's pediatric hospitals have updated their recommendations for a safe return to school full-time, offering guidelines on the logistical challenges facing educators this fall.

Ontario's pediatric hospitals release guide for full-time school

Yukon allows residents to expand pandemic bubble

Yukon allows residents to expand pandemic bubble
Yukon is set to move into its next phase of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, easing restrictions on so-called family bubbles, social gatherings and sport

Yukon allows residents to expand pandemic bubble

St. John's archdiocese liable for abuse: court

St. John's archdiocese liable for abuse: court
Newfoundland and Labrador's highest court says the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's is financially liable for sexual abuse at the Mount Cashel orphanage in the 1950s.

St. John's archdiocese liable for abuse: court

Victims' families thank public for support

Victims' families thank public for support
Relatives of victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting marched through the streets of Halifax on Wednesday to thank their supporters for helping them persuade Ottawa and Nova Scotia to call a full public inquiry into the killings.

Victims' families thank public for support

Ethics commissioner widens WE probe

Ethics commissioner widens WE probe
Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is widening his investigation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau's dealings with WE Charity.

Ethics commissioner widens WE probe