PARTIES SPAR OVER ‘VIRTUAL’ DEBATE
$73B wage subsidy bill awaiting vote
• Critical wage- subsidy legislation is being held up as the Conservative and Liberals spar over just how the House of Commons will hold the government to account during the COVID-19 crisis.
The big sticking point is that Liberals want a “virtual” Parliament while the Conservatives want to have Parliament come back in person but with reduced numbers and regular sittings.
The issue is delaying the passing of the $ 73- billion wage- subsidy legislation that must be approved before cheques to businesses can start flowing.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government welcomes the scrutiny of the Opposition, but wants to convene a virtual Parliament with more participants.
“It’s important that parliamentarians from every corner of the country, not just those within driving distance of Ottawa should be able to weigh in on the working of our democracy. That’s why we’re looking at virtual models for doing that,” he said.
In a letter released Wednesday, Speaker Anthony Rota, who has been asked to explore a virtual Parliament, concluded a model could be up within four weeks.
He said House of Commons staff are working on the idea and doing everything they can to make it possible. The details of the virtual Parliament are still unclear.
Since Parliament last sat, the House of Commons’ finance and health committees have both convened — by teleconference — regularly to discuss the crisis, But like any teleconference there have been technical issues, participants who can’t be heard, as well as problems with simultaneous translation.
Conservatives say they are concerned the same technical issues will confound the virtual Parliament.
Liberals, speaking on background, say they’re also concerned an in- person Parliament would send the wrong message about the need for social distancing and risk exposing senior Cabinet members, who are needed in this crisis, to COVID-19.
However, Conservative House Leader Candice Bergen said there is no reason the Commons can’t sit in a reduced form.
“Ministers hold daily press conferences in a room steps from the House of Commons. This a large room that can allow for physical distancing,” she said on Twitter. “If Ministers can hold press conferences safely, there is no reason for them or the PM to avoid accountability in the House.”
The wage- subsidy proposal will cover up to 75 per cent of an employee’s wages, allowing employers to keep them on the payroll. The Liberals had a wage subsidy in their first financial package for COVID-19 relief, but it was much more limited and new legislation is required for the broader package.
The House of Commons rose in mid- March when it was clear the chamber could potentially be a breeding ground for the virus, with MPS gathered in close proximity and then travelling across the country to their ridings on planes.
It returned once on March 24 to pass the government’s first COVID-19 bill, but only in a limited sitting, with just 32 MPS in the chamber and other steps taken to keep people from getting sick.
During that sitting, the legislation was an issue with the Liberals accused of overreaching by putting in provisions that would have allowed them to increase taxes as well as to borrow and spend without limit.
Unlike the last special sitting of parliament, the actual legislation is not a major sticking point. All parties are broadly onside with the legislation.
Even if the Conservatives agree to the virtual parliament, the House of Commons will have to come back for at least one more in- person session for the wage subsidy and to pass procedural changes to allow for a virtual parliament.