Some MPs return to Ottawa today to deal with an emergency bill to spend billions of dollars to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 0:00
Shortly after House of Commons proceedings began Tuesday, the chamber suspended itself while the Liberal government and opposition parties negotiate the finer points of a bill to deliver aid to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Opposition Conservatives have said they are not willing to vote for the bill as it is currently written. The Tories have concerns about provisions in the legislation that grant unprecedented spending authority to Finance Minister Bill Morneau during this crisis, with an ill-defined role for Parliament.
Part 4 of the draft bill the government presented to the opposition on Monday ahead of today's sitting would allow Morneau access to "all money required to do anything, including making payments to provinces and territories." Such broad terms are raising red flags with opposition MPs.
The negotiations between the parties are still going on and the Commons will be suspended until there is a deal reached to define the powers Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet can use to spend public money during this crisis.
The Liberal government has backed away already from one controversial proposal in the bill — part 2, which would have given the government sweeping new powers to spend, borrow and tax Canadians for 21 months without parliamentary approval. The Tories criticized the move as an ill-fated attempt to get Parliament to sign a blank cheque.
While agreeing to drop part 2, Trudeau defended the bill Tuesday, saying the government needs to get assistance to the Canadian people as quickly as possible and Ottawa must plan for all eventualities.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the nation Tuesday, touching on legislation to help Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the need for social distancing and touching on his conversation with premiers about the federal Emergency Measures Act. 21:55
"Passing this bill today means getting you the support you deserve as soon as possible. When you're trying to help get money out to people, speed is of the essence, especially in an unprecedented situation like this one," he said today during his daily morning exchange with journalists.
"But I want to make it very clear. I believe in our democratic institutions. All of us in Parliament must work together."
'Power grab provisions'
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, the party's finance critic, said the Tories would be willing to pass the aid part of the legislation — additional money for Employment Insurance and the newly created Emergency Care and Emergency Support benefits— "without any of the power grab provisions that they tried to sneak in."
"If they do that, it will be a happy day for Canadians," Poilievre said in a video posted to Twitter. Poilievre cannot be in the Commons today because is waiting for COVID-19 test results.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said he agrees that "urgent action is needed to support Canadians who are struggling" and parliamentary squabbling shouldn't hold those funds up.
"Today, we are focused on getting that support out the door and into the hands of Canadians so that no one has to worry about putting food on their table or paying their rent. Any conversation about new government powers should not get in the way of passing this much-needed assistance," Scheer said.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says his party will not grant the government unprecendented new powers during the COVID-19 crisis. 0:44
Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez tweeted a plea for swift action.
"Canadians need support to get through this. Fast," he wrote. "The negotiations with other parties are still ongoing and the House will resume later today. We all need to come together and get this done. Canadians are counting on us.'
Later today, Morneau will table a bill to spend up to $82 billion in financial supports and deferred taxes. About 33 MPs, including deputy House Speaker Bruce Stanton, are expected to be there. CBCNews.ca will carry the special sitting live.
Rogue Tory MP vows to delay proceedings
Conservative MP Scott Reid was in the Commons Tuesday despite an order from his party's whip to stay away from Parliament — and he promised to delay proceedings to protest how the chamber is operating.
Each party sent only a handful of MPs to ensure that politicians could practice social distancing and sit far enough apart to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.
In a letter to constituents, Reid said it was unreasonable for his party to dictate who can and cannot appear in the Commons, adding that he was motivated to attend the sitting because of concerns about the legislation the government has proposed.
Conservative MP Scott Reid asks a question during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 5, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Reid said he would deny the unanimous consent needed to quickly pass the proposed aid package because he said such consent would trample on the rights of parliamentarians to properly review legislation.
He said spending bills passed earlier this month, before the Commons rose for an extended break, were equally problematic, as MPs voted on bills not yet tabled. Those bills granted Morneau interim spending powers for the remainder of this fiscal year.
Once the emergency aid legislation passes in the House, it will move on to the Senate for more debate, which is expected tomorrow.
The proposed aid package includes:
A temporary boost to Canada Child Benefit payments, delivering about $2 billion in extra support.
A new Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 biweekly, for up to 15 weeks, to provide income support to workers, including the self-employed, who have to stay home and don't qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance. The measure could disburse up to $10 billion.
A new Emergency Support Benefit to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
A six-month, interest-free reprieve on student loan payments.
A doubling of the homeless care program.
An extension of the tax filing deadline to June 1.
A policy change allowing taxpayers to defer until after Aug. 31 tax payments that are due after today and before September.
$305 million for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities.
I implore all opposition parties to keep a close eye on this Liberal government. They are not to be trusted. Don't let them fool you. Safeguard our democracy and Parliament please!
David Amos
Reply to @Phil Petersen: I agree
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: WOW
"The Liberal government has backed away already from one controversial proposal in the bill — part 2, which would have given the government sweeping new powers to spend, borrow and tax Canadians for 21 months without parliamentary approval."
Scott Cameron
If this doesn't concern you as a free citizens from all sides then you have been completely lost in the game of politics
The outrage if a Conservative did this would be off the charts
David Amos
Reply to @Scott Cameron: Welcome to the circus
Tyler Jukes
This is a party that didn't even get the most votes in an election that was held less than 6 months ago. The notion of them grabbing for dictatorial powers during a crisis is absurd and reprehensible.
David Amos
Reply to @Tyler Jukes: Methinks many folks in Fundy Royal would agree with me now if they recalled I said during the last election N'esy Pas?
