Monday, July 6, 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

Funeral today for young Quebec sisters found dead following Amber Alert

Funeral today for young Quebec sisters found dead following Amber Alert
A funeral will be held in the Quebec City area Monday for two young sisters who were found dead following an Amber Alert.

Funeral today for young Quebec sisters found dead following Amber Alert

Liberals seek to extend wage subsidy

Liberals seek to extend wage subsidy
The House of Commons meets today as the Liberals seek to pass a bill to extend their wage-subsidy program, send a special payment to people with disabilities and extend some legal deadlines for court cases.

Liberals seek to extend wage subsidy

Two taken to hospital, one in custody after incident on Alex Fraser Bridge

Two taken to hospital, one in custody after incident on Alex Fraser Bridge
Delta Police were called to the Alex Fraser Bridge around noon on Friday July 17 for what appears to be an isolated incident involving one vehicle, a driver and passenger.

Two taken to hospital, one in custody after incident on Alex Fraser Bridge

Man charged with sexual assault in relation to modeling agency scheme

Man charged with sexual assault in relation to modeling agency scheme
The Surrey RCMP Special Victims’ Unit is advising the public of a sexual assault investigation which involved a man who posed as a modelling agent.

Man charged with sexual assault in relation to modeling agency scheme

Liberals revise wage-subsidy program

Liberals revise wage-subsidy program
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the Liberals are easing eligibility rules for the government's emergency wage subsidy and changing the amounts businesses can receive.

Liberals revise wage-subsidy program

Defence asks for 5 to 9 years for sex assaults

Defence asks for 5 to 9 years for sex assaults
The lawyer representing a former Edmonton nightclub employee convicted of sexual assaulting five women says his client "simply went too far" and should serve between five and nine years in prison.

Defence asks for 5 to 9 years for sex assaults