This letter was first sent as an email to our constituents. To receive regular updates from our office regarding COVID-19, sign up via the "Get Updates" tab.
Dear Neighbour,
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been listening to my community, and taking your feedback and suggestions back to our government. This week my colleagues and I completed another productive session of parliament. I am proud of all that our government has accomplished during these unprecedented health and economic times.
Our government adapted swiftly to ensure we remained accountable and transparent to Parliament throughout this crisis, and mostly importantly that we responded to the needs of Canadians. Through virtual, as well as hybrid meetings of the House of Commons, Members of Parliament were given more time than ever before to ask questions to our Prime Minister and all members of Cabinet.
In collaboration with all parties, we have passed 10 bills, which include: implementing the new NAFTA, providing Canadians with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), creating the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), assisting students unable to find employment with the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB).
We also held 134 meetings by 11 House of Commons committees. As Chair of the Health Committee, I was proud to chair the first-ever fully video-conferenced House of Commons committee meeting in Canadian parliamentary history. At the Health Committee, we have heard from a wide-range of experts and health professionals on the impact of our government’s response to COVID-19. Hearing the testimony of these witnesses is crucial in adapting our government’s response to the evolving pandemic situation.
In addition to this, we have had more than 3,000 questions asked by the opposition. Crucially, in a typical spring sitting of parliament, MPs would have only been given the opportunity to ask 1,8000 questions in Question Period. We have more than surpassed this amount through our virtual sittings. This is truly remarkable and has allowed for a thorough debate on how to best support Canadians through this difficult time.
I want to stress our government’s unwavering commitment to accountability by implementing a hybrid parliament that guaranteed more opportunities for Members of Parliaments to question cabinet ministers and advocate for their constituents.
In a typical year, July and August would see all Members returning to their constituencies until the fall. However, this year, the House of Commons will continue to meet four times during the summer- twice in July and twice in August- which will continue to allow the opposition adequate opportunity to ask question to our government.
As it stands now, the House of Commons will resume sitting regularly on September 21,2020 but we will continue to listen to the advice of our public health authorities to determine whether it will be safe to do so. In the event that we cannot, we remain committed to the possibility of a full hybrid House of Commons with the ability of all MPs to vote electronically. This will ensure that all MPs can represent their communities even if they are unable to physically be in parliament.
On July 8th we will present an Economic Fiscal Snapshot to inform Canadians of the status of our economy as we weather the COVID-19 pandemic together. This is just another part of our commitment to transparency,
Although I and my staff have been working mostly from home during COVID-19, we have all been working hard everyday for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam by responding to the needs and concerns of our community. It is always our priority to continue to work hard for you.
We are also focused on ensuring that everyone has the most up-to-date information and that it is accessible. For daily updates, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or visit my website.
Yours sincerely,
Ron McKinnon
Member of Parliament for Coquitlam - Port Coquitlam
Mon: | By appointment only |
Tue: | By appointment only |
Wed: | By appointment only |
Thu: | By appointment only |
Fri: | By appointment only |
Sat: | Closed. |
Sun: | Closed. |