As MPs launch a study into the future of using a hybrid session structure in the House of Commons, Speaker Anthony Rota is asking MPs to consider the “big picture” when making their recommendations on whether it is time to withdraw the virtual elements of the procedures that were initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, the House Business and Procedures Committee (PROC) began a review of the hybrid session model, hearing from top officials in the House of Commons, as well as current and former MPs, on the use of the model. hybrid and the voting app to see what worked. or not, in the context of potentially maintaining these measures in the long term.
The study was requested as part of the government’s motion that blocked hybrid provisions, allowing MPs to continue to participate in debates and committee meetings virtually, as well as vote remotely from anywhere in Canada, until 2023, pending PROC findings and the state of the pandemic
While the provisions remain in place, giving MPs the option to participate remotely, by and large most federal elected officials have appeared in person at the House of Commons since the autumn session began in September. The House of The commons relaxed on COVID-19 public health measures, such as vaccine and mask mandates, at the end of the spring session.
During his testimony, Rota spoke of both the flexibility the hybrid format has allowed and the challenges it has presented both technically and for propriety, telling colleagues that there are some “overarching questions” the committee may want to explore as part of this review.
“For example, should the House continue to allow remote participation for all members in any situation at any time? Or should this option be available under specific circumstances to be defined by the House? And will these provisions apply differently in the chamber, in committees?, or in other parliamentary activities? Rota said. “For example, if the House retains the use of the electronic voting application, can the videoconferencing system be maintained and used as a backup?”
Expressing support for finding “parameters” under which MPs could choose to continue to engage remotely if the hybrid structure is maintained, Rota said he doesn’t think deciding not to fly or drive to Ottawa should be something MPs do “whether or not”. rather something used in cases of illness or other special circumstances.
While the House of Commons administration worked diligently to find innovative and historic new ways for MPs to adapt to the reality of COVID-19 while keeping up with their work of debating and passing legislation, the provisions did not they were meant to be permanent.
As MPs have adjusted to having the choice, many have spoken about how it allows them to essentially be two places in one: available to their constituents and able to participate in proceedings in Ottawa. However, over the nearly two years of its use, there have been several more serious errors and violations associated with the hybrid seat model.
From poor audio and video quality and connectivity problems, to deputies having to apologize for taking the debate to the bathroom with them. There is also the huge impact on parliamentary interpreters and, as a result, the restriction of committee hours.
There have also been accusations of ministers avoiding questioning in person by coming from Ottawa instead of appearing in the House in person. That has become less of a concern as more public health rules have been lifted.
Before the pandemic-era session structure came into force, MPs found workarounds to have their votes counted if they could not be present through procedural measures such as vote matching, but did not have the ability to vote. participate in the debate without being in the House in person.
MPS DIVIDED ON WHETHER TO END HYBRID
During Tuesday’s meeting, some MPs made their positions on both sides of the issue clear, including some who shared their personal experiences.
Testifying before the PROC, British Columbia Liberal MP Parm Bains shared with colleagues how the hybrid parliament has allowed him to continue to do his job as a parliamentarian while on dialysis and later recovering from a kidney transplant.
“Hybrid supplies are vital to the pressures caused by long and uncontrollable absences from Ottawa,” he said. “The hybrid provisions allowed me to fulfill my parliamentary duties, limit my exposure, maintain strong mental health and reduce fears my family had while supporting me through my health process.”
During the hearing, some Conservative MPs spoke about their reservations about continuing the hybrid format as something that would appear to make their working lives easier while many Canadians are struggling. In general, the federal conservative group was strongly against keeping the virtual provisions before the fall session.
Saskatchewan Conservative MP Rosemarie Falk warned her colleagues about the ramifications of “setting a precedent of working while sick” and said that in her experience as a mother trying a hybrid job in the House of Commons, she often found family obligations and local events. they were competing for her time.
“There seems to be an expectation that, because he’s physically present, he can do all of this and that he can do it to the fullest. And I would say that actually, that’s actually to the detriment of us in executing our parliamentary responsibilities,” Falck said. .
Although during the hearing, two former Conservative MPs, Dona Cadman and Leo Duguay, suggested there might be merit in keeping hybrid provisions as an option for MPs, citing their experiences with long commutes, personal sacrifices made to be in Ottawa, and the evolutions with technology since his time at the House, as factors.
The NDP is very supportive of continuing the hybrid sessions, with British Columbia MP Laurel Collins advocating making the format permanent, saying the hybrid sessions allowed her to continue working during the last months of her pregnancy.
“Not all women want to do that, but all women deserve the choice and women deserve the choice to participate,” Collins said, noting that she was also able to participate in Parliament as a result of the hybrid when she contracted COVID-19, and when His father died.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you want to get more young women into politics, if you want more women to stay in politics, make Parliament more family-friendly. And the Hybrid Parliament is a tangible way to do that.” Collins said.
New Democrats are calling for the hybrid format to be “strengthened,” citing the need to ensure more accountability requirements for government, as well as ensuring that interpretation and translation resources are not continuously strained.
The PROC is expected to continue its study in the coming weeks and welcomes comments from other MPs before reporting back to the House of Commons with its recommendations.