Decision to return 338 MPs and associated staff said to rest in the hands of Tories

Reconvening parliament in its traditional sense Monday would be “irresponsible” says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, placing blame on the Conservative Party for the delay.

The schedule as it stands he said, would mean the attendance of 338 members of parliament from around the country in Ottawa on April 20, as well as their staff, clerks, interpreters, security guards, and cleaners.

“We’re in a situation right now where our public health authorities, our experts and common sense tells us that we need to continue to limit our movements, we need to continue to work from home, we need to continue to do everything we can that people are kept safe from further spread of this pandemic.”

In his latest public address at Rideau Cottage on Sunday, Trudeau said he believed the proposal on alternative parliamentary proceedings is reasonable but is open to expanding this schedule if deemed necessary.

The new plan would see a limited number of representatives meet in the House of Commons each Wednesday for in-person sessions starting this week. One virtual 90-minute session will be added the following week, eventually ramping up to two per week until further notice.

Members of parliament should have the right to ask questions and process legislation, said Trudeau, acknowledging that not everyone lives within a reasonable distance to attend in-person congregational meetings. He claims that being held accountable for the government’s proceedings is not the source of the delay.

“We need a parliament that works," said Trudeau, "(but) we need to do that in a responsible way.”

All other parties have accepted the terms of the proposal, he said but finer details such as the technical proceedings and speaking arrangement are still in the works. The Conservative Party stands firm in its proposal, however, that parlimanent should resume to three in-person sittings per week, down from the original request of four.

The "common-sense proposal" as described by leader Andrew Scheer in his latest public address Sunday, is necessary for elected members of parlimanent to ask critical questions and ensure the best results for Canadians.

"I strongly believe that parliament is an essential service," he said. "Governments in Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Finland and the European Union continue to sit during this difficult time. Our democracy should operate the same way."

"The Prime Minister is suggesting that without a deal all 338 MPs will have to return to Ottawa on Monday with their staff, that isn't true and he knows it. Only 20 MPs are required for quorum and pretending otherwise to try and force the opposition to accept a bad deal is wrong."

Parliament has been adjourned since mid-March aside from two single-day sittings to pass emergency aid bills.

*With files from Canadian Press