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

Charges laid against man for sexual assault and robbery in Whalley

Charges laid against man for sexual assault and robbery in Whalley
On July 24, 2020, a 30-year-old man, was arrested and taken into police custody. On Saturday, July 25, 2020, several charges were sworn in BC Provincial Court.

Charges laid against man for sexual assault and robbery in Whalley

B.C. tech companies get $3 million from feds

B.C. tech companies get $3 million from feds
British Columbia's small- and medium-sized technology businesses are getting some financial help from the federal government.

B.C. tech companies get $3 million from feds

WATCH: Alcohol approved in Vancouver parks but there is a catch

WATCH: Alcohol approved in Vancouver parks but there is a catch
Park board commissioners in Vancouver have voted in favour of allowing alcohol consumption in 22 parks around the city, but relaxing with a cold one likely won't happen soon.

WATCH: Alcohol approved in Vancouver parks but there is a catch

Remdesivir approved for severe COVID-19 symptoms

Remdesivir approved for severe COVID-19 symptoms
Health Canada has approved the use of remdesivir to treat patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Remdesivir approved for severe COVID-19 symptoms

Stigmatizing Hutterites will deter COVID response: Tam

Stigmatizing Hutterites will deter COVID response: Tam
Canada's chief public health officer says discrimination against Hutterites will not help build trust as some colonies across the Prairies experience outbreaks of COVID-19.

Stigmatizing Hutterites will deter COVID response: Tam

1 life sentence for man who killed Vancouver pair

1 life sentence for man who killed Vancouver pair
A single life sentence of 25 years in prison has been imposed on 27-year-old Rocky Rambo Wei Nam Kam for the murders of a Vancouver couple two years ago.

1 life sentence for man who killed Vancouver pair