Parliament adjourns for summer 2 days earlier, end of spring session

All parties agreed on 21 June to adjourn the House of Commons for the summer two days ahead of schedule, despite the Liberal government not yet launching a public inquiry into allegations of foreign election interference.

Both Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilièvre and Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet had called on the government to launch an inquiry before the end of the spring session of Parliament.

Negotiations between the government and opposition parties are underway, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling reporters that Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc is still working “swiftly” with party leaders to reach an agreement on the issue.

“We are working very, very hard,” Trudeau said on June 21 in Ottawa, adding that LeBlanc ensures that any investigative process that is decided on has “acceptable” terms of reference for all parties and a leader that all party leaders agree on.

“We are very much looking forward to working with the other parties, but there needs to be clarity that they are all committed and agreeing to the process we have,” Trudeau said.

The House unanimously agrees to a movement introduced by Prime Minister Mark Holland after Question Time on June 21 to adjourn until September 18.

MPs continued the House’s business until 12:30 a.m. on 22 June, when the Speaker declared the House of Commons adjourned for summer recess.

Public investigation

Since former Governor General David Johnston resigned as Special Rapporteur on foreign interference in Canada’s elections, LeBlanc has consulted legal scholars and opposition party leaders to determine “what the next steps should look like and who is most appropriate is to lead the elections. this public work.”

Poilièvre, Blanchet and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh have had several meetings with LeBlanc this week about the issue, and Holland said on June 21 he expects to hear news on the matter “very, very soon given the prolific nature of those talks.”

Conservative MP Larry Brock told reporters on June 21 that the Tories submitted some “very impartial names” as suggestions for individuals to lead a possible investigation, while last week the Bloc submitted their own list of names.

“The government has a duty to actually name it,” he said.

“We just want pure openness, full transparency, full accountability.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.