Saturday, July 4, 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

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death
A man who was charged with second-degree murder after an Alberta gas station owner was killed in a gas-and-dash has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Man pleads guilty in gas-and-dash death

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist
WE Charity registered Thursday as a lobbyist of the federal government — months after it began talks with federal officials about potential programs to help Canadian youths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WE Charity registers as federal lobbyist

Landlords can evict in B.C., but no rent hike

Landlords can evict in B.C., but no rent hike
A payment plan has been set out for renters in British Columbia who haven't been able to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic as a government moratorium on evictions ends on Sept. 1.

Landlords can evict in B.C., but no rent hike

B.C. orders publication of wholesale gas prices

B.C. orders publication of wholesale gas prices
Mandatory reporting requirements are being imposed on wholesale gasoline and diesel fuel suppliers in British Columbia to ensure transparency and accountability on pricing.

B.C. orders publication of wholesale gas prices

Actor Ryan Reynolds issues B.C. COVID response

Actor Ryan Reynolds issues B.C. COVID response
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds has responded to a plea from British Columbia Premier John Horgan for help with messaging to younger residents about partying during a pandemic.

Actor Ryan Reynolds issues B.C. COVID response

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death
A property manager, Rama Gauravarapu was murdered at a hotel in West Kelowna two years ago on July 22, 2018.

Surrey man found guilty of second degree murder in partner Rama Gauravarapu's death