Members of Parliament (MPs) are gearing up to face new political realities as they return to Ottawa after a summer break. The COVID-19 pandemic, a new government, and a shifting political landscape are just some of the challenges that await them.
The House of Commons is set to resume on September 20, with a speech from the throne outlining the government’s priorities for the upcoming session. This will be followed by a confidence vote, which will determine whether the minority Liberal government will continue to hold power.
One of the biggest changes MPs will face is the ongoing pandemic. While Canada has made significant progress in its vaccination efforts, the threat of the Delta variant and potential future variants remains. This means that MPs will have to navigate a hybrid Parliament, with some members attending in person and others participating virtually.
In addition, the pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing issues such as income inequality, healthcare disparities, and the need for a more resilient economy. These issues are likely to be at the forefront of discussions in the House of Commons.
Another major change is the new government. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party won a minority government in the 2019 election, but since then, the political landscape has shifted. The Conservative party has a new leader in Erin O’Toole, and the NDP has a new leader in Jagmeet Singh. This means that the dynamics in the House of Commons may be different, and the government will have to work harder to gain support from opposition parties.
Furthermore, the recent election in Nova Scotia, where the Progressive Conservatives won a majority government, could be a sign of things to come in the federal election expected to take place in the next year. This could add another layer of complexity to the political landscape in Ottawa.
As MPs return to Ottawa, they will also have to grapple with important issues such as climate change, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and the economic recovery from the pandemic. These issues will require collaboration and compromise from all parties in order to make progress.
In conclusion, the return to Ottawa for MPs will be met with new challenges and realities. The pandemic, a new government, and a shifting political landscape will require MPs to adapt and work together in order to effectively govern and address the pressing issues facing Canadians.
