By Canadian Press

Still no agreement on how returning Parliament will function as pandemic goes on

Sep 10, 2020 | 2:30 PM

OTTAWA — Less than two weeks before Parliament is to resume sitting, no one knows how it is going to function amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Liberal government has proposed a full resumption of parliamentary business using a hybrid model — a limited number of MPs actually sitting in the House of Commons and the rest participating online, including by voting electronically.

New Democrats are proposing a similar approach but it’s unclear whether the Conservatives, who’ve previously opposed electronic voting, or the Bloc Quebecois will agree.

And House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota has warned that until the Commons approves a new approach, his hands are tied.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament last month, so the committee that was supposed to propose options for electronic voting has been disbanded.

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Parliament is scheduled to resume on Sept. 23 with a throne speech laying out the Liberal government’s plan for an economic recovery.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2020.

The Canadian Press