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Conservatives have been unequivocal: they will not support the throne speech
The fate of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government hangs in the balance as Parliament resumes all normal operations today for the first time in six months.
Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne, but they've already signalled that Trudeau can't count on support from any of them to survive the eventual confidence vote and avoid plunging the country into an election in the midst of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Conservatives were unequivocal: they will not support the throne speech.
The Bloc Québécois was almost as categorical. Bloc MPs will not consider supporting the throne speech unless Trudeau agrees to fork over at least $28 billion more each year in unconditional transfer payments to provinces for health care, as demanded unanimously last week by premiers.
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet is giving the government just one week to accede to that demand, in the expectation that the confidence vote on the throne speech will take place next week.
The government could meet the NDP's conditions when it introduces promised legislation to transition jobless Canadians off the $500-per-week Canada emergency response benefit and back onto a more flexible, generous employment insurance system.
Liberals say EI bill coming soon
Last month, the government promised to ensure that unemployed Canadians would continue to get $400 per week under proposed reforms to the employment insurance program.
It also promised to introduce three new temporary benefits, among them the Canada recovery benefit of $400 per week for those who don't traditionally qualify for employment insurance, as well as the Canada recovery sickness benefit, which is to provide $500 per week for up to two weeks for workers who fall ill or must self-isolate due to COVID-19.
There is also to be a Canada recovery caregiving benefit to provide $500 per week of up to 26 weeks for those unable to work because they must care for a child or other dependent due to pandemic-induced closure of schools, daycares or other care facilities.
Government officials say the legislation authorizing the EI reforms and the new benefits will be introduced very soon. They also hint that the details are subject to negotiation with opposition parties — giving it a chance to expand the proposed benefits to ensure it meets the NDP's conditions for supporting the throne speech.
The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 21. Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne today. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The throne speech promised to do whatever it takes to protect Canadians' lives and provide financial support for as long as the pandemic rages, including extending the 75 per cent emergency wage subsidy through to next summer and making a "significant, long-term, sustained investment" in a Canada-wide child-care system.
It also promised expanded emergency loans for businesses and targeted financial support for industries hardest hit by the pandemic, including travel, tourism and hospitality.
Over the longer-term, the speech promised to work with the provinces to set national standards for long-term care facilities, where more than 80 per cent of Canada's COVID-19-related deaths have occurred, and to set up a universal pharmacare program.
And it promised to make action on climate change the "cornerstone" of its plan to create one million new jobs.
6 days of debate required
The government must allow for six days of debate on the throne speech, but they don't have to be consecutive days. Blanchet said he and Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, both of whom are currently in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, are to join the debate on Tuesday.
No date has yet been set for the vote but, when it comes, the government will need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to avoid being defeated.
Under a motion passed unanimously Wednesday, all parliamentary functions are now restored, albeit with a new hybrid model House of Commons.
Until at least Dec. 11, only a small number of MPs will be physically present in the chamber while the rest will participate virtually, including taking part in roll-call votes via video conference.
The fate of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government hangs in the balance as Parliament resumes all normal operations today for the first time in six months.
Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne, but they've already signalled that Trudeau can't count on support from any of them to survive the eventual confidence vote and avoid plunging the country into an election in the midst of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Conservatives were unequivocal: they will not support the throne speech.
The Bloc Québécois was almost as categorical. Bloc MPs will not consider supporting the throne speech unless Trudeau agrees to fork over at least $28 billion more each year in unconditional transfer payments to provinces for health care, as demanded unanimously last week by premiers.
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet is giving the government just one week to accede to that demand, in the expectation that the confidence vote on the throne speech will take place next week.
- ANALYSIS
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The government could meet the NDP's conditions when it introduces promised legislation to transition jobless Canadians off the $500-per-week Canada emergency response benefit and back onto a more flexible, generous employment insurance system.
Liberals say EI bill coming soon
Last month, the government promised to ensure that unemployed Canadians would continue to get $400 per week under proposed reforms to the employment insurance program.
It also promised to introduce three new temporary benefits, among them the Canada recovery benefit of $400 per week for those who don't traditionally qualify for employment insurance, as well as the Canada recovery sickness benefit, which is to provide $500 per week for up to two weeks for workers who fall ill or must self-isolate due to COVID-19.
There is also to be a Canada recovery caregiving benefit to provide $500 per week of up to 26 weeks for those unable to work because they must care for a child or other dependent due to pandemic-induced closure of schools, daycares or other care facilities.
Government officials say the legislation authorizing the EI reforms and the new benefits will be introduced very soon. They also hint that the details are subject to negotiation with opposition parties — giving it a chance to expand the proposed benefits to ensure it meets the NDP's conditions for supporting the throne speech.
The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 21. Opposition parties will give their official responses to Wednesday's speech from the throne today. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The throne speech promised to do whatever it takes to protect Canadians' lives and provide financial support for as long as the pandemic rages, including extending the 75 per cent emergency wage subsidy through to next summer and making a "significant, long-term, sustained investment" in a Canada-wide child-care system.
It also promised expanded emergency loans for businesses and targeted financial support for industries hardest hit by the pandemic, including travel, tourism and hospitality.
Over the longer-term, the speech promised to work with the provinces to set national standards for long-term care facilities, where more than 80 per cent of Canada's COVID-19-related deaths have occurred, and to set up a universal pharmacare program.
And it promised to make action on climate change the "cornerstone" of its plan to create one million new jobs.
6 days of debate required
The government must allow for six days of debate on the throne speech, but they don't have to be consecutive days. Blanchet said he and Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, both of whom are currently in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, are to join the debate on Tuesday.
No date has yet been set for the vote but, when it comes, the government will need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to avoid being defeated.
- Highlights of today's speech from the throne
- As caseloads spike in four provinces, Trudeau warns that pandemic will be worse this fall
Under a motion passed unanimously Wednesday, all parliamentary functions are now restored, albeit with a new hybrid model House of Commons.
Until at least Dec. 11, only a small number of MPs will be physically present in the chamber while the rest will participate virtually, including taking part in roll-call votes via video conference.
