Statement by NDP House Leader Gilles Bisson

"Out of respect and concern for the people working in the Ontario legislature, we have agreed to pass the government’s motion to allow legislative proceedings to be suspended if that becomes a necessary step to protect people from the spread of COVID-19. The motion required unanimous consent.

However, we are disappointed that the government refused to amend the motion to specify that the decision to close the legislature would be based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. This should not be a political decision. The motion, as written, extends extraordinary power to the government to pause legislative proceedings in ways unconnected with COVID-19 in the future."