Governor General Mary Simon will open the first session of the 44th Parliament of Parliament on Tuesday by delivering the Speech from the Throne in English, French and Inuktitut.
The Vice-Queen “is proud to incorporate three languages into the Speech from the Throne,” said a member of her team on Monday.
Since arriving at Rideau Hall, Mary Simon “regularly takes French lessons,” she said. “The Governor General recognizes the importance of the French language and made a commitment, at the beginning of her mandate, to learn French.”
In the speech from the throne, the Vice-Queen will specify in particular how the government intends to “put the pandemic [de COVID-19] behind us and continue to grow, ”Government House of Commons Leader Mark Holland said on Monday.
The Liberal government will give priority to four bills, which it is optimistic to see tabled, studied and adopted by Parliament in less than four weeks, that is, before the adjournment of the proceedings for the holiday break on December 17.
First, a bill establishing an aid program for “sectors which are negatively affected by the pandemic where individuals need continued support”.
Second, a bill aimed at criminalizing the blocking of access to health care establishments and any act of intimidation towards workers and patients who borrow them in order to give or receive services.
Third, a bill establishing a minimum of 10 days of paid sick leave in federally regulated workplaces.
Fourth, a bill to criminalize conversion therapy for LGBTQ2 people.
“With good will [de tous les partis politiques], all the things I mentioned can be passed by Parliament by Christmas time, ”Holland told reporters, adding that he will not have patience for“ political games ”. “.
However, Mr. Holland did not know on Monday when the bill to dust off the Official Languages Act will be presented to members of Parliament. “It must be a priority for the government. Not just fine words during an election campaign. At work!” Conservative MP Alain Rayes immediately tweeted.
The election promises made during the summer – “to introduce, within 100 days, the bill aiming at the substantive equality of English and French and the strengthening of the Official Languages Act” by example – take, assured a member of the close guard of the government leader at Le Devoir.
Return in person
The Commons Hall filled almost completely on Monday for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, for the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
MEPs renewed their confidence with a secret ballot for Anthony Rota.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Leader of the Official Opposition Erin O’Toole forcibly dragged him to the president’s chair from where he was directing parliamentary business – often through screens since his arrival COVID-19 – without losing your mind from 2019 to 2021.
Carol Hughes (NDP), Elizabeth May (Green Party) and Alexandra Mendés (PLC) failed in their attempt to register their name under that of Jeanne Sauvé, who remains, to this day, the only woman to have been raised as president of the House of Commons (1980).
“Now that we have a president, it’s time to get back to work,” said Rota.