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

Tam says Canada discussing vaccine orders

Tam says Canada discussing vaccine orders
Active discussions are taking place to potentially pre-order COVID-19 vaccine doses for Canadians, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday.

Tam says Canada discussing vaccine orders

Kingston youth pleads guilty to terror charges

Kingston youth pleads guilty to terror charges
A Kingston, Ont., youth has pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges for trying to persuade someone to plant a bomb.

Kingston youth pleads guilty to terror charges

Vancouver approves alcohol in parks pilot project

Vancouver approves alcohol in parks pilot project
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.

Vancouver approves alcohol in parks pilot project

West Fraser earns $48 million in Q2

West Fraser earns $48 million in Q2
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. beat expectations as it earned $48 million in its latest quarter despite lower revenues.

West Fraser earns $48 million in Q2

One dead in plane crash east of Vancouver

One dead in plane crash east of Vancouver
A 66-year-old woman has died in the crash of a small plane at a remote site east of Vancouver.

One dead in plane crash east of Vancouver

Vancouver records ninth murder of 2020

Vancouver records ninth murder of 2020
Police are investigating Vancouver's ninth homicide of the year. A statement from Vancouver police says a 41-year-old man was stabbed Monday evening in a lot behind St. Paul's Hospital in the city's west end.

Vancouver records ninth murder of 2020