Tuesday September 29, 2020 | OTTAWA, ON [Updated 6:50 pm September 29, 2020] [Updated 3 am September 29, 2020 – final vote count 306 in favour, none opposed]
by Mary P Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
Today a vote in the House of Commons about the Liberal government’s bill entitled ‘An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19’ was carried out live online.
The motion earlier today passed with 173 in favour (Liberals and NDP) and 142 against (Conservatives and Bloc) launched the debate on Bill C4 into motion; a later vote around 6:35 pm Pacific showed 176 in favour, 145 against. A final vote on Bill C4 held be held late into the night tonight.
An approved bill will enable the transition from CERB (to EI and Canada Recovery Benefit programs) to proceed as well as instituting paid sick leave for the first time in Canada.
Jagmeet’s laser focus:
The NDP under Leader Jagmeet Singh is largely responsible for ensuring that those benefits will now be available to Canadians. This should rightly be more than a legislative process footnote.
Singh’s calm clarity and persistence without backing down resulted in Canadians having continued access to the COVID-related socioeconomic safety net that have kept so many people above water in this challenging year. Singh used the political process from the inside out — but progressively — to shift the landscape of support for all Canadians in one fell swoop.
“We’re very proud of him,” said MacGregor about Singh today in a phone interview with Island Social Trends today. “He’s been keeping a laser-like focus on the issues that matter. He has always had that focus for the last six months, getting more help for more people more quickly. Everything has been in the pursuit of that goal,” said MacGregor.
Voting in the house and online:
This morning, Members of Parliament from across the country cast their votes one at a time, most of them virtually using online technologies. It was a slow and methodical process, with real-time tech support from the Speaker intermingled with the voting process.
MPs from South Vancouver Island cast their votes remotely (in Ottawa but not sitting in the House due to physical distancing), including Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) and Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford). Later in the day, MacGregor participated in debate on the floor of the House.
Wrinkles of voting online are still being worked out. As many as 25 MPs had their videos shut off or were not there for the full vote process (but their full presence is technically required). “When the government can rise or fall on these votes, it is critical that their video be on from start to finish,” said one MP.
An important moment for Canadians:
“It was a momentus moment,” said Alistair MacGregor, MP in a live phone interview with Island Social Trends this evening. “The uncertainty that Canadian families are feeling is replaced with certainty,” he was genuinely pleased to report.
The impact of NDP participation in the minority government process cannot be understated, especially for moving important social safety net components forward to the benefit of all Canadians.
“To the government’s credit they revised it – was Bill C2 and it came back as C4,” said MacGregor. “It’s a demonstration of how minority parliaments are supposed to work,” he said with regard to how adjustments were made between the government party (Liberals) and the opposition (NDP).
Quotes from the House today:
“Download COVID Alert. Do your part to keep us all safe,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today during Question Period.
“Make sure that those who have profited off the pandemic pay the most,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in the context of how taxation and program policies continue forward during the ongoing pandemic.
“This is a plan for equality of opportunity, to leave no one behind. If you’ve lost your job, are sick or taking care of loved ones, we have your back. This program reflects how Canadians work. It is of utmost importance for women,” said Employment Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough. Maternity benefits under the new programs are available retroactively to March 15.
