By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:35pmET
Federal ministers and officials announce new measures in response to the Omicron COVID-19 variant
The Canadian government is officially advising against non-essential travel abroad, according to Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
The federal government is now advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside the country, confirms Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos at a news conference on Parliament Hill. The announcement comes amid fears re: the rapid spread of the Omicron #COVID19 variant.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/QPTFSuUU3C
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) December 15, 2021
Watch the news conference:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes questions in Ottawa after a child care announcement with Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane:
In the House
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was at question period. But there were a reduced roster of Liberal ministers and backbench MPs in the chamber; Government House Leader Mark Holland told reporters last night that the Omicron COVID-19 variant has led the caucus to meet virtually today and allow fewer members to attend House proceedings in person.
MPs vote on the ways and means motion connected to yesterday's fiscal and economic update delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL UPDATE: FULL COVERAGE
Debate continues on the re-introduced legislation on mandatory minimum sentences that would represent a major shift in drug policy away from incarceration and towards treatment.
Bill C-5 (the former Bill C-22) would repeal mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offences that disproportionately affect Indigenous and Black offenders and those struggling with addictions. Judges would have more flexibility to impose conditional sentence orders (CSOs) when an offender faces less than two years imprisonment but does not pose a public safety threat.
C-5 would also force police and prosecutors to consider different options for simple possession charges, including treatment programs or conditional sentences for those posing no threat to public safety.
Indigenous people comprise roughly 30% of the federal prison population despite being only 5% of Canada’s overall population. The disparity is even higher in many provincial jails. Black Canadians make up 10% of the federal prison population, compared to 3.5% of the overall population.
In Committee
Several standing committees meet to elect their chair.
WATCH: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh holds news conference
WATCH: Bloc Québécois Yves-François Blanchet discusses the economic and fiscal update this morning
