The Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie-Mackenzie is shaking his head at the federal NDP.
Chris Warkentin says the new democrats agreed to prop up the liberal minority to extend the suspension of Parliament until at least September.
In return, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to send letters to all premiers asking them to offer 10 paid days of sick leave.
However, in terms of labour laws, the individual provinces have the most say.
MPs will meet four times a week, some in the House of Commons, others virtually, but as a special COVID-19 committee.
Warkentin says during times of a pandemic and slumping energy prices, Canadians need answers.
“We have a government that is making major changes to gun policy, economic policy and have not allowed Canadians to voice their concerns,” says Warkentin.
“I think that this is an erosion of the democratic system and I believe strongly that this government needs to pay a price for being unwilling to listen to Canadians.”
Warkentin says when MPs attempt to ask a question, they are told that the government will only respond to COVID-19 inquiries.
He says the sessions were referred to as a “virtual parliament” but tells the Trending 55 Newsroom that this is not an accurate term for the sittings since parliament was suspended, and limited to three meeting a week previously.
“Canadians believe we are able to ask questions of the government on any number of issues but what we have learned is the government has restricted any questions to be only those which narrowly address the issues of COVID,” explains Warkentin.
“We cannot ask about the government’s spending, or even the Prime Minister’s spending as we saw with the expansion of his vacation home at the expense of taxpayers.”
Warkentin adds that it will take all opposition parties working together to force the government back to the table.
“The NDP sold out for a pretty small price,” he concludes. “Hopefully, the NDP will come to their senses as their MPs hear from constituents.”
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
