The Select Committee of Rules and Procedures Governing Virtual Proceedings of the House of Assembly tabled its final report today. In accordance with the resolution passed on May 5, 2020 referring this work to the Committee, the report was tabled with the Clerk and is now deemed to have been duly presented to and adopted by the House of Assembly.
The Select Committee recommends the use of videoconferencing technology to enable all Members to participate in proceedings of the House of Assembly and its Committees in order to exercise the full scope of their parliamentary duties during the COVID-19 pandemic should travel restrictions, health vulnerability, or physical distancing requirements prevent in person attendance. It is preferred that sittings of the House be conducted with all Members physically present. However, should the House resume and the circumstances associated with COVID-19 require that a sitting with all Members physically present not be prudent, the Speaker will determine if the virtual proceedings provision will be invoked following consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health. The measures outlined in the report will remain in place until December 3, 2020 unless earlier revised or replaced by the House of Assembly.
In developing its final report and recommendations, the Select Committee held seven meetings all of which were conducted virtually. This marks the first time that any proceeding of the House of Assembly was conducted in this manner.
Members of the Committee include:
- Honourable Siobhan Coady, St. John’s West (Chair)
- Honourable Steve Crocker, Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde (Vice Chair)
- David Brazil, Conception Bay East-Bell Island
- Jordan Brown, Labrador West
- Derek Bennett, Lewisporte-Twillingate
- Paul Lane, Mount Pearl-Southlands
- Honourable Scott Reid, St. George’s-Humber
- Jim Dinn, St. John’s Centre
- Ches Crosbie, Windsor Lake
-30-
Learn more
Select Committee Respecting Virtual Proceedings of the House of Assembly – Final Report
Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-693-9434
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca