The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the House of Commons establish an alternative set of Standing Orders which enables the implementation of a virtual Parliament so that the House can continue with its business in the event of a crisis or exceptional circumstances such as those arising from the current pandemic. The committee further recommends that these modified Standing Orders only come into force with the agreement of all recognized parties for a predetermined, agreed upon, period of time and that this period can only be extended if all recognized parties agree.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Chris Bittle, Rachel Blaney, James Maloney, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 7;

NAYS: John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 4.

At 5:50 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:50 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Blake Richards moved, — That, in the meantime, standing committees which are meeting virtually be authorized to exercise all of their ordinary powers.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Rachel Blaney, John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 5;

NAYS: Omar Alghabra, Chris Bittle, James Maloney, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That the House of Commons undertake the necessary steps to expand its capacity and operations to achieve a fully virtual Parliament, with the possibility of employing a hybrid model in the interim, in the event of exceptional circumstances.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Chris Bittle, Rachel Blaney, James Maloney, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 7;

NAYS: John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 4.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That given the virtual sittings of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic have been successful and 300 plus members have been able to take part simultaneously, and that given the success of current virtual proceedings, the committee recommends that the House of Commons move to additional virtual proceedings, during the current pandemic, for all regular business of the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Chris Bittle, James Maloney, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Rachel Blaney, John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 5.

At 6:26 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:41 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 6:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 7:00 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Ryan Turnbull moved, — That, consistent with the testimony given by the Law Clerk of the House of Commons to the committee, during exceptional circumstances, virtual presence of members meets the requirements for quorum as set out in Section 48 of the Constitution Act of 1867.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Chris Bittle, Mark Gerretsen, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Rachel Blaney, John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 5.

Christine Normandin moved, — That the House of Commons set up a secure electronic voting system for conducting votes in virtual sittings as soon as possible in order to guarantee the right of members to vote safely in the event of a pandemic or any other exceptional circumstances threatening their safety and/or that of their families and communities.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Kirsty Duncan, Mark Gerretsen, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6;

NAYS: Rachel Blaney, John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 5.

Rachel Blaney moved, — That the House of Commons conduct a review of gender and regional representation regarding decisions made in the House of Commons during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Omar Alghabra, Rachel Blaney, Kirsty Duncan, Mark Gerretsen, Christine Normandin, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 7;

NAYS: John Brassard, Eric Duncan, Blake Richards, Corey Tochor — 4.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Parliamentary Duties and the COVID-19 Pandemic".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That dissenting or supplementary opinions of no more than 10 pages in length be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the clerk of the committee, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.