Presence of backbench MPs, cross-Canada representation restricted during in-person House sittings amidst physical distancing

Backbench MPs who typically make up a majority of the House of Commons have had their presence shrink as cabinet members and House officers make up the majority of the Chamber in COVID-19 sittings.

Liberal MP Ken Hardie, pictured on April 20 in the House of Commons, was one of two Liberals with no official House or government role present for this week's sitting and only one of the four B.C. MPs at the parliamentary session. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

News

BY NEIL MOSS

April 22, 2020

With reduced numbers of MPs sitting in the House amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the presence of backbenchers and equitable geographic representation has been constrained in three sittings since the pandemic hit Canada. In normal times, backbench MPs make up the largest portion of the House of Com...

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