Records show NDP MPs showed up for Canadians during the pandemic

VICTORIA– The House of Commons has released Members of Parliament attendance records for the hybrid COVID-19 Committee meetings and the stats show who has been working hard for Canadians.

Among BC MPs, New Democrats had the highest attendance rate for the hybrid sessions at 89 per cent. By contrast, Conservative MPs in BC attended only 44 percent of the meetings.

“People in Victoria have trusted me to represent their concerns and it’s a responsibility I take very seriously,” said NDP MP Laurel Collins who attended all the hybrid sittings. “We need to figure out how to safely reopen our economy and help people feel supported as they go back to work. During this pandemic, MPs from all over the country should be working together and engaging in these conversations.”

The COVID-19 Committee provided opposition parties the opportunity to question ministers about important issues during the pandemic both through in-person and virtual meetings. The record shows that there wasn’t a single day where more than half the Conservative MPs participated in the hybrid sittings.

During the pandemic New Democrats pressed the government for two weeks paid sick leave for all Canadians, support for Canadians living with disabilities, an extension to the CERB, and more support for workers through the wage subsidy.

“We’ve been working hard for Canadians in the virtual meetings and during in-person sittings,” said NDP MP Randall Garrison who also attended all the hybrid sittings. “Its crucial to hold the government to account and stand up for Canadians during this extremely difficult time. You can’t do that if you’re not willing to show up and get to work.”