For his Sunday presser, Justin Trudeau announced formally that the House of Commons was coming back on Tuesday afternoon to pass more emergency legislation, and that Canadian airlines were standing by to help with repatriation efforts. He also made it clear that the existing aid package was just a first step, and that they were actively considering what the next ones would be. He also made a direct address to children in the country, thanking them for their patience with all of this. In the subsequent ministerial presser, Patty Hajdu said that they were hoping for better coordination with provinces this week as to what measures they are taking, so that there will be less of a patchwork across the country. She’s also looking into criminal penalties for travellers who don’t self-isolate, so that could be coming in the next few days.

…You do not go visit your neighbours or friends, you rest in your house for 14 days, no exceptions.” She also warns that arrests and financial penalties possible for people who defy public orders. https://t.co/Wp1P36W3vZ

— Alexander Panetta (@Alex_Panetta) March 22, 2020

As for the return of Parliament, the agreement is that about 32 MPs are coming back – which is far more than there should be, given that quorum is 20 – and that they planned to have about four-and-a-half hours of debate on the legislation, and that while there wouldn’t be a formal Question Period, there was going to be time for MPs to ask questions of the ministers present. What we learned later in the day was that the government was sending out special planes to pick up Andrew Scheer, Candice Bergen and Don Plett, which I find highly dubious. There is no reason why they need to be in Ottawa if they weren’t there already (and I find Scheer’s excuse that he went to Regina for March Break to be problematic because he knew they were suspending Parliament before he left and knew full well that they would need to recall it, which is why that was part of the agreement). Now, if they decide they’re going to stay in Ottawa for the duration, then okay, sure, I’ll grudgingly give them a pass, but if they plan on having the government fly them back home after the single day’s sitting, then I’m sorry, but it’s completely irresponsible, not only because it’s modelling poor behaviour when people are being told to stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary for them to be out (and while I will argue that it is necessary for a Skeleton Parliament to be in place, it is not necessary that the Opposition Leader and House Leader be present when others can fill those duties temporarily), it’s also a huge waste of resources – particularly considering that Scheer has made a big deal of how much the current government is “wasteful,” with special websites and social media shitposts about. It’ll be even more galling if he has the government pay for Scheer’s wife and children to be returned to Stornaway with him, given his own particular spending scandal with party funds – particularly if the consideration for having needing Scheer and Bergen there to begin with is simply for the sake of having them be on camera.

GHL says there will be 14 Liberal, 11 Conservative, 3 Bloc and 3 NDP MPs back for the 4.5 ish hour debate, will be an alt form of QP, ministers will be present. Then *the day after* the Senate will reconvene, also w limited # of Senators. W Royal Assent same day, so passed by Wed

— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) March 22, 2020

https://twitter.com/davidakin/status/1241809854131568643

Most senators seem to be taking this more seriously, both in terms of restricting attendance to those within driving distance (Don Plett excepted), but also that they are holding teleconferences with their members to ensure that they fully discuss the legislation so that they can raise any particular concerns if they have them. Would that certain MPs were a bit more responsible in that regard.

The rest of us will review the legislation from home, and forward our questions and concerns to our Senate colleagues in Ottawa. That way, we can still have a measure of regional representation.

— Paula Simons (@Paulatics) March 22, 2020

Good reads:

• A Canadian company that makes ventilators is waiting for the government’s assurances it will buy them if they ramp up production.
• It sounds like Pearson Airport is not treating the pandemic with any particular sense of urgency.
• The Canadian Olympic Committee says it’s not sending any athletes to Tokyo if the Olympic and Paralympic games there aren’t postponed.
• Here is an interview with Andrew Scheer about trying to strike the right tone in this particular time of crisis.
• In the Conservative leadership race, Erin O’Toole, Marilyn Gladu and Derek Sloan want the race suspended, while Peter MacKay shrugs.

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