Liberals aim for hospital protest ban, paid sick leave deal by Christmas
Global News
Liberal House Leader Mark Holland says Canadians expect MPs to 'hit the ground running' and that the government has four key priorities to get passed by Christmas.
Canadians expect MPs to “hit the ground running,” Liberal House Leader Mark Holland said Monday adding he thinks the government can work with the opposition to get four key policies including a paid sick leave plan passed by Christmas.
It’s been five months since the House of Commons last sat, and MPs returning this week do so under the terms of a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate and amid what public health experts have described as “turbulence” from rising case counts.
MPs, their staff, administrative officials and journalists who are members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery are required to show proof of vaccination to access the parliamentary precinct in person.
“We are in an evolving situation. We are still in this pandemic, as tired as we all are of it,” said Holland.
He spoke with journalists Monday and said he is confident there are four specific pieces of legislation the government can get support for quick adoption on from other parties.
Legislation that will see continued spending on COVID-19 economic supports will be key among those, he said. So too will a promised bill to ban protests outside of hospitals in the wake of multiple such protests over recent months by opponents to measures like mandatory vaccine policies.
Mandating a 10-day sick leave for all workers in federally regulated workplaces will also be among the four key focuses for the government, along with a bill banning conversion therapy.
Holland said he believes there is enough support from the opposition parties to get those four policies adopted and passed by Christmas — though the House of Commons is only scheduled to sit until Dec. 17 before taking another break until the end of January.
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