NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party was engaged in “ongoing” talks with the Liberals over fast-track legislation that both parties support, but warns his party will strongly oppose the plans. government to cut COVID-19 benefits.

Singh made the comments to reporters on Monday as MPs returned to the House of Commons for the first time since June. The first order of business is to elect a president on Monday afternoon. The government will then set out its political priorities in a Speech from the Throne on Tuesday. The House is expected to sit for four weeks before recessing until January 31.

The September 20 federal election produced a Parliament with similar party ranking figures as what was in place before the campaign. The minority Liberal government will need the support of at least one other major party to win votes on spending and legislation in the House of Commons. In the previous Parliament, the NDP frequently voted with the Liberals to approve government measures.

“We are open to looking for ways to speed up the passage of bills with which we agree,” said Singh, who called talks with the Liberals “underway,” while adding that no agreement has been reached.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in October announced plans to end the Canada Stimulus Benefit, while extending a more limited version of wage and rental support for businesses in hardest-hit sectors of the economy .

Extending business support until May 7 is expected to cost $ 7.4 billion and will require parliamentary approval, but Singh has warned the government that his party does not agree with the plan.

“We have seen that this government takes an approach to reduce aid to people, and if it wants to hurt people, and it is going to pass laws that will make it more difficult for people, then they can go to Conservatives or the Bloc to get his support, but we will vote against something that makes people’s lives worse, ”he said.

Government House Leader Mark Holland told a press conference on Monday that immediate legislative priorities include implementing 10 days of paid sick leave, enacting a campaign pledge to protect workers health threats and intimidation; and the reintroduction of a bill that effectively bans the practice of conversion therapy. .

Most of his press conference focused on raising questions about the Conservative Party’s approach to COVID-19 vaccines.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has said all Conservative MPs in the House of Commons will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive medical exemptions.

Mr. Holland said he does not know how many Conservative MPs have exemptions, but he feels there is a “multitude” in this situation. He did not say how he came to that conclusion, but called for further consideration.

“Since we are dealing with public health, I ask for assurances on this matter. And to me, that seems eminently logical, ”he said.

He also said he wanted a multi-party agreement on House of Commons rules of procedure, including continuing the practice of hybrid sittings in which MPs can participate via remote video link. The Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois are opposed to hybrid sessions.

Mr. O’Toole and the Conservatives have not scheduled a press conference in Ottawa for Monday, and the Conservative leader’s office has repeatedly refused to say how many of the party’s 119 MPs are fully vaccinated.

In a statement, Josie Sabatino, Acting Director of Communications in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, said that with the exception of Conservative MP Richard Lehoux, who tested positive for COVID-19, all Conservative MPs who do not sit in the House of Commons are for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus or the House of Commons immunization mandate. She hasn’t developed.

Conservative MP and Deputy House Leader Michael Barrett addressed the issue in an interview with CPAC on Monday.

“People have been interviewed and some have chosen to share this information and some have not. And to be clear with you, I don’t know the number, ”Barrett said. “The question we had for caucus was, are you going to be able to participate? Have you provided the correct home credentials? And we received a yes from our members.

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