By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED November 24, 2021 4:19pmET
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in the chamber for the first question period of the 44th Parliament, one day after the speech from the throne laid out his government's agenda.
Here's what Trudeau told reporters ahead of the Liberal caucus meeting:
"We're focused on fighting climate change, we're focused on growing the economy, we're focused on reconciliation. The kind of things Mr. O'Toole should be focused on. Instead he's focused on getting exemptions for his MPs," PM Trudeau says ahead of Liberal caucus meeting.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/fcTrqDn3Jf
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 24, 2021
Debate is underway on the government motion to re-introduce hybrid sittings and require MPs be vaccinated to enter the parliamentary precinct, including the House of Commons chamber.
The motion would formally implement the October vaccination order for in-person attendance agreed to by the Board of Internal Economy. Medical exemptions would need to conform with "guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health document entitled 'Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination' and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)."
A Conservative question of privilege is challenging the Board of Internal Economy's authority in issuing the order.
Ahead of question period, Conservative deputy leader Candice Bergen expresses her party's concerns with government motion to resume hybrid sittings, asserting that the Liberals "avoid accountability and they avoid scrutiny with hybrid Parliament."#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/U2BIxb4M0x
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 24, 2021
Chief Opposition Whip Blake Richards argued yesterday that changes to an MP's right to unimpeded access should be voted on by all members.
House Speaker Anthony Rota has approved an emergency debate for this evening on the recent flooding in British Columbia. WATCH THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LIVE
An emergency debate must "relate to a genuine emergency, calling for immediate and urgent consideration," according to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons.
The government has tabled legislation to "provide further support in response to COVID-19."
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough are scheduled to brief reporters later today on the bill, which targets emergency pandemic benefits to the hardest-hit sectors and workers, including:
- Extending the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7 and increase the maximum duration of both by two weeks.
- Extending the Canada Recovery Hiring Program through May 7.
- Establishing the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to provide a weekly $300 income support to eligible workers affected by a local lockdown between Oct. 24 and May 7.
- Establishing the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program that targets “hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, and restaurants, with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.”
- Establishing the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program that targets “other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent.”
- Establishing the Local Lockdown Program for businesses that face temporary closure.
OPPOSITION LEADERS SPEAK AHEAD OF QUESTION PERIOD
"Other countries are launching ambitious plans to unleash innovation, lower taxes, and slash red tape to get their economies surging. And we see nothing from Justin Trudeau," Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says in an address to his caucus.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/lVfAjIImK6
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 24, 2021
YF Blanchet rejette un Parlement en mode hybride et réclame que seuls les députés vaccinés puissent siéger. « Pour la sécurité des parlementaires, si tu n'est pas double vacciné ou sans vérification indépendante de ta condition, tu ne rentres pas. »#polcan pic.twitter.com/7rXjnLN6Fi
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 24, 2021
"I want it to be clear to the Liberals that they should not take our support for granted," Jagmeet Singh reiterates when asked re NDP's position on throne speech. The govt's speech "does not present to us a desire to work together in the interest of Canadians," he says.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/lju4ZEHcX9
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 24, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole allowed cameras in for his remarks to the national caucus this morning:
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet spoke with reporters about his support for MP vaccination but opposition to hybrid sittings:
And here's NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh:
