Hybrid sittings return: House votes to allow MPs to do their jobs from home until mid-2022
Citing concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 spread Canada-wide, as well as hesitation over the vaccination statuses of “a few” Conservative MPs, the House of Commons voted late Thursday to revive the hybrid sitting format, meaning members of the 44th Parliament will have the option of working from home until at least late June.
The government motion proposing to reinstate the ability for MPs to participate virtually was passed 180 to 140, seeing the NDP side with the Liberals, while the Bloc Quebecois and Conservatives wanted to see a full resumption of in-person proceedings. A Conservative amendment to the motion seeking more time to scrutinize and vote on specific spending matters also passed without opposition.
The issue had been the main topic of debate in the House of Commons the first week back, which saw most of the 338 MPs descend on Ottawa for the first time in five months, with the benches in the chamber their fullest since before the pandemic.
As a result of this decision, effective Friday, MPs will be allowed to vote remotely using an app on their phones, and virtually participate from their homes or offices and still appear, via screens, inside the chamber, or at House committee meetings once those get underway in the coming weeks. There will be no capacity limit in the chamber though, so if every MP still wants to show up in-person, they can.
It’s expected there will still be some onboarding time needed for the rookies who will be taking on the remote work tools for the first time.
During the debate, battle lines were drawn over why the two sides felt that the hybrid sittings—which when created were framed as temporary and COVID-19-necessitated— continue to be needed, or not.
For those who voted in favour of continuing to allow MPs to Zoom-in to the House of Commons from home, the reasons cited repeatedly included the virus’ ongoing spread, the risk MPs may pose or face given their high rates of travel and interaction with others in close quarters, and individual members’ comfort levels or personal health situations.
“We're still in a global pandemic... There is no reason we cannot have the flexibility in our workplace to ensure that people are both in person and yes, have the opportunity to work virtually,” said Government House Leader Mark Holland during debate on Thursday.
The Liberals have also pointed to the example of Conservative MP for Beauce, Que. Richard Lehoux in why the remote option is still required. Lehoux is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, meaning he’s been unable to participate at all in the opening days of the new Parliament.
Without virtual, other MPs who may contract COVID-19 would be disenfranchised from participating, the Liberals have argued.
In contrast, those opposed to renewing hybrid sittings have said that the government has taken advantage of the virtual option to avoid scrutiny, pointed to the vaccine mandate allowing many sectors to return to more normalcy, and called out the prime minster for calling a federal election and travelling internationally for summits amid the pandemic.
“We have all struggled through poor audio, poor video, intermittent connectivity, MPs embarrassing themselves—that seemed to usually be on the government side— on screen. Missed votes, overzealous use of the mute button, and straining of resources in both the House and in committee. That's enough,” said Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay in the House.
As well, the Bloc Quebecois raised concerns over the hybrid structure remaining in place for seven months rather than opting for a more month-by-month approach to the ever-evolving pandemic situation, suggesting that if thousands of people can gather now in arenas for NHL games, 338 MPs should be able to be present in the chamber.
Responding to these concerns, Holland pledged that “ministers will be in their seats.”
“In the circumstance we are in right now, we have every intention of making sure that there is a full presence from cabinet and that cabinet ministers are present in this place and available to take questions,” he said.
NEW CRITERIA FOR UNVACCINATED MPS
The other factor brought up repeatedly in the debate over hybrid sittings was the ongoing questions over how many Conservative MPs are unvaccinated.
Under the vaccine mandate now in place on Parliament Hill, all people looking to enter buildings in the House and Senate precincts have to show proof that they are fully vaccinated, or submit a medical exemption and show proof of a recent negative test result.
While all Liberal, Bloc Quebecois, NDP and Green MPs are fully vaccinated, the Conservatives have what their House leader Gerard Deltell has described as “a few” MPs who have medical exemptions, but that all of their caucus is eligible to come to work in-person.
“At first, there was no issue with exemptions. Now that a few Conservatives have an exemption, that no longer works. Need I remind colleagues that someone in the Liberal government had an exemption at one point?” Deltell said, referring to one Liberal who has not been named, but the governing party says has since been fully vaccinated.
In calling for more transparency about what has been described as “statistically improbable,” to have multiple valid exemptions amid a caucus of 119, MPs said uncertainty over the issue contributed to their unease about continuing on in-person at full capacity.
As part of the hybrid sitting motion MPs have agreed to beef up the language around what would qualify as a valid medical exemption under the House mandate.
Now, reasons for medical exemptions will have to be in line with guidance from an Ontario Ministry of Health document entitled ‘Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination’ and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).”
It’s the responsibility of the House of Commons administration to assess all exemptions submitted and determine their validity.
The Conservatives are challenging the mandate, arguing that all MPs should get to vote on whether or not the policy should apply to them because in their view, they are “essential” and Canadians elected them to show up, in-person to do their jobs.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Local Spotlight
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
'I'm committed': Oilers fan won't cut hair until Stanley Cup comes to Edmonton
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
'It's not my father's body!' Wrong man sent home after death on family vacation in Cuba
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.
'Once is too many times': Education assistants facing rising violence in classrooms
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
What is capital gains tax? How is it going to affect the economy and the younger generations?
The federal government says its plan to increase taxes on capital gains is aimed at wealthy Canadians to achieve “tax fairness.”
UBC football star turning heads in lead up to NFL draft
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.
Cat found at Pearson airport 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Molly on a mission: N.S. student collecting books about women in sport for school library
Molly Knight, a Grade 4 student in Nova Scotia, noticed her school library did not have many books on female athletes, so she started her own book drive in hopes of changing that.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.