Hubbub in House of Commons over how the place works, inflames partisan tensions
OTTAWA — The customary grilling of government that follows the tabling of a federal budget was all but shoved aside Thursday as opposition MPs pressed the Liberals not on their fiscal balance, but their work-life one.
Government House leader Bardish Chagger spent more time on her feet in question period than did the finance minister as she was forced again and again to defend Liberal proposals to change the rules that govern the operations of the House of Commons.
Chagger released a discussion paper last week, proposing ideas including abolishing Friday sittings, allowing electronic voting and creating a special question period in which MPs would direct all their questions to the prime minister.
The goal of the changes, she said Thursday, is to modernize the way the Commons works.