Article content continued

She said Conservatives want Parliament to have a meaningful role.

The wage subsidy proposal will cover up to 75 per cent of an employee’s wages allowing employers to keep them on the payroll. The Liberals had a wage subsidy in their first financial package for COVID-19 relief, but it was much more limited and new legislation is required for the broader package.

The House of Commons rose in mid-March when it was clear the chamber could potentially be a breeding ground for the virus, with MPs gathered in close proximity and then travelling across the country to their ridings on planes.

It returned once on March 24 to pass the government’s first COVID-19 bill, but only in a limited sitting, with just 32 MPs in the chamber and other steps taken to keep people from getting sick.

During that sitting, the legislation was a issue with the Liberals accused of overreaching, by putting in provisions that would have allowed them to increase taxes as well as to borrow and spend without limit.

Photo by Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/File

Unlike the last special sitting of parliament, the actual legislation is not a major sticking point, but the debate around how to hold the government accountable going forward is a challenge.

All parties are broadly onside with the legislation. The NDP want the bill expanded to more people and the Conservatives have other technical amendments, but there are no significant problems with the legislation.

Even if the Conservatives agree to the virtual parliament, the House of Commons will have to come back for at least one more in person session for the wage subsidy and to pass procedural changes to allow for a virtual parliament.

As of early Wednesday evening a deal had not been reached to bring parliament back for that session, but it could come soon. The Speaker has to give 48 hours notice to reconvene parliament.

• Email: rtumilty@postmedia.com | Twitter: ryantumilty