House of Commons shutting down until April 20 to curb spread of COVID-19
Suspension comes as Prime Minister Trudeau remains in self-isolation
A cross-party agreement has been reached to shut down the House of Commons until April 20 in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
As part of the motion, the House of Commons will pass the new NAFTA deal and the current interim supply funds before parliamentary business is suspended.
The motion will allow the federal government to spend money to address the COVID-19 outbreak, and potentially deal with an economic downturn, with oversight.
The five-week suspension could be extended if necessary and House of Commons committees can be recalled.
The federal budget, to have been tabled March 30, has been delayed.
The risk of COVID-19 spreading on Parliament Hill took on new urgency this week when Prime Minister Trudeau said he would be in self-isolation for 14 days at his home after his wife Sophie tested positive for the virus.
