Calendar and legend showing the summer parliamentary calendar during covid-19 2020 pandemic

Summer Parliamentary Business: What You Need to Know

Short on time? We’ve developed a calendar for when the House is sitting.

  • The special committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI) has been meeting since April 29th in replacement of regular house proceedings. The meetings have been three times a week with two virtual, and one in-person sitting. 
  • On Tuesday of this week, the House passed a motion detailing how parliamentary activities will proceed over the course of the next several months: 
    • From now until June 17th, the COVI committee will meet four times per week with a limited number of MPs physically in the House of Commons, while the remaining representatives can join virtually from their ridings. The COVI committee also now allows for questions of ministers, including the Prime Minister, on “other matters” (not just COVID-19).
    • On June 17th, following the COVI committee proceedings, the House will sit as committee of the whole (mix of in-person and virtual participation) to consider and pass Supplementary Estimates (A). This key government spending breakdown will likely include at least some of new financial measures announced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion passed by the House provides for only four hours of consideration of the Supplementary Estimates, provoking cries over lack of due parliamentary scrutiny.
    • On Thursday June 18th, the COVI committee will cease to exist, ceding the floor to special sittings of the House on July 8th, July 22nd, August 12th, and August 26th. Members will be able to participate either in person or via videoconference. These meetings will include a Question Period not exceeding 95 minutes, as well as consideration and debate on a broad motion regarding the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the August 26th sitting, the House will stand adjourned until Monday, September 21st, 2020.
    • Several standing committees (HESA, FINA, HUMA, OGGO, INDU, INAN, AGRI, FOPO) have been granted the prerogative to hold meetings related to COVID-19 “or other matters” over the summer months. And the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) has been tasked with studying and providing recommendations on how to enable hybrid sittings of the House, including remote voting, by June 23rd. 

Reaction

  • The Liberals, NDP and Greens have said that the committee format allows for maximum participation of MPs while still being mindful of physical distancing. The NDP have agreed to support the Liberal motion in exchange for the government’s commitment to work with the provinces on implementing ten paid sick leave days for all workers. The Prime Minister has indicated he would like to see this in place in provinces ahead of a fall wave of COVID-19, though it will require intensive negotiations with Premiers between now and then to get it done. 
  • The Conservatives opposed the motion on the grounds that a committee of the whole limits important privileges afforded through regular house proceedings such as opposition days, introducing motions, private members bills and posing questions and debating and voting on legislation. Conservative House Leader Candice Bergen called the special committee a “fake parliament” and views the move as an infringement on democracy.
  • The Bloc Quebecois also voted against the motion, noting a resumption of normal house proceedings is essential for the proper functioning of Canada’s democracy. Bloc MP Stephane Bergeron argued that the limitations of electronic voting is a “fallacious argument” being used to silence parliament.  
  • On Tuesday, the Globe and Mail released an editorial critical of the Liberals, claiming the Prime Minister was attempting to “shield himself from accountability” during the pandemic by limiting the meetings of Parliament. 
  • Meanwhile, proponents of the plan have noted that the House can now discuss non-COVID business, which it previously was not mandated to do.  The Standing Orders of the House also allow the Speaker to recall Parliament should it be deemed in the public interest, which is a power that could be exercised given the pandemic.