MP Report: Parliament ‘virtually’ useless

By Medicine Hat News Opinion on July 4, 2020.

Traditional celebrations marking Canada’s confederation were side-stepped this July 1 in favour of virtual reality. I’m unsure how celebrating our nation’s significant milestone via a computer screen worked for you, but personally the experience was lackluster.

What we learned this Canada Day, is that virtual replacement is a poor substitute for the real thing. The excitement of mingling with neighbours, the sound of many voices singing our national anthem in unison, aromas from community barbecues and the highlight of fireworks lighting up the night sky, were all absent. The significance of the day was insignificant, while the energy associated with celebration was absent.

Similarly, holding virtual special COVID Committee meetings rather than bringing elected representatives together for regular Parliamentary sittings to challenge government decisions, debate policy, and present alternative positions cannot be considered an appropriate replacement alternative. Canadians are justifiably outraged and believe that these actions by the Liberals, supported by the NDP, are unacceptable.

Democracy deserves better than a virtual manifestation. During a time of economic crisis, government accountability – especially for this group associated with uncontrollable spending and high debt – must be indisputable.

The sporadic special COVID Committee meetings held while regular Parliament was suspended proved beneficial, even with limited numbers of MPs in the House debating and challenging the government on emergency support programs.

The Conservative Opposition definitely had a successful role in improving Canada’s emergency response, although each recommendation was met by government push back and delays.

For example, on March 9, it was Conservatives who called for a mandatory quarantine for all travelers, similar to the process introduced in other countries. Sixteen days later the Liberals announced mandatory quarantine rules.

It was March 21 when we called on the Liberals to increase the wage subsidy program for employers from 10 per cent to something aligned with international responses. Six days later the Liberals introduced an Emergency Wage Subsidy program of 75 per cent.

Forty-three days after the Conservative recommended an expansion of the Emergency Business Loan Program, the Liberals finally acted by announcing sole-proprietorships, dividend earners and contractors would be eligible for this program.

These are a sample of how an effective opposition can make a difference for the benefit of Canadians. It is also an indicator, that if Parliament had been sitting, actively challenging and debating the government’s emergency programming, the timeline to rectify shortfalls would have been reduced substantially.

Conservatives put forward many constructive solutions to get Canadians assistance during the COVID-19 economic collapse. We worked to secure more support for seniors, students and expectant mothers. We demanded assistance for farmers, fish and seafood harvesters, and Canada’s oil and gas sector. We are also the party that worked to ensure all of the Liberals’ pandemic spending will be audited, so Canadians will know how their tax dollars were spent during this time of crisis.

It is clear; during a time of crisis Canada needs more Parliament oversight, not less, and certainly not by virtual idealism.

Glen Motz is the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner

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