Legislation
Pandemic crisis tests durability of MPs’ parliamentary privileges, say MPs, experts
By Beatrice Paez April 15, 2020
Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says MPs have little recourse, other than to file a complaint with the House Speaker, for raising concerns about breaches of privilege.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on April 11 during the second recall of Parliament to pass the feds' wage-subsidy bill, along with cabinet ministers Chrystia Freeland, Pablo Rodriguez, Mary Ng, Bill Morneau, and Carla Qualtrough, who were among those present for the vote. The pandemic has forced MPs to consent to have their voting privileges carried out by party colleagues. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
As parliamentary privileges are tested amid the pandemic, with one MP crying foul over the leaking of draft legislation, experts say it has underscored the extent to which not all MPs have equal standing in the House.
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