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Dan-in-Ottawa

PM hiding from Parliament?

Back in May, the Trudeau Liberal government announced its preference for four summer sittings of the House of Commons' special COVID committee.

These sittings were set to occur on:

  • July 8
  • July 22
  • Aug.12 
  • Aug. 26.

Many MPs and party leaders planned their schedules to participate on these days. 

As an example, this week I am in Ottawa where I was able to ask several questions to the minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

Unfortunately, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau planned to be away during this week's sitting and could not be held accountable.

There are so many important questions right now. 

One question asked by an NDP MP was:

"How can Canadians currently receiving CERB plan for the transition to EI at the end of the month when it is just weeks away and they have no idea what the details will be?"

Unfortunately, the minister replied that the government is not in a position to provide any details until “next week." 

Next week is less than two weeks from the time the CERB benefit ends. 

If someone collecting CERB receives less money on EI, this is something they will need to budget for.

I asked a number of questions including the challenge facing many expectant mothers who, because of COVID, were just short of accumulating the required hours to be eligible for the Canada maternity benefit.

Unfortunately, the minister couldn’t answer this question either.

Also occurring this week, the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, Yves-Francois Blanchet, has demanded that:

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his finance minister and his (The Prime Minister’s) chief of staff resign.”

Mr. Blanchet has taken issue with:

  • Details of the WE Charity contract
  • Revelations the administration of the commercial rent relief program went to a company where the husband of the PM’s chief of staff is employed as a senior executive. 

In order to carry out his threat, Mr. Blanchet indicated the Bloc will table a confidence motion against the Trudeau Liberal government this fall.

The only way such a motion could pass is if all three opposition parties, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and Conservatives, voted in favour.

Generally speaking, this is how many minority governments ultimately fall.

My question this week relates to this potential non-confidence motion.

  • In the event the Bloc Québécois tables a non-confidence vote in the Trudeau Liberal government that could potentially trigger a fall election, would you vote in favour or against?

I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

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About the Author

Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola and the co-chair of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Before entering public life, Dan was the owner of Kick City Martial Arts, responsible for training hundreds of men, women and youth to bring out their best.

Dan  is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s top 10 most active Members of Parliament on Twitter (@danalbas) and also continues to write a weekly column published in many local newspapers and on this website.

Dan welcomes comments, questions and concerns from citizens and is often available to speak to groups and organizations on matters of federal concern. 

He can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free at 1-800-665-8711.



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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