LOWDOWN ON HYBRID — Need to feel a little better about politics? Playbook has your salvation. The procedure and House affairs committee's study of hybrid Parliament is a soothing balm for anyone weary and wary of the kind of partisan tomfoolery that so often derails committees. This is the Good Place.
Tuesday's #PROC meeting invited five MPs to weigh in on the pros and cons of virtual voting, simulated sessions and remote rancor. Playbook presents a takeaway from each. — NDP MP CAROL HUGHES: The assistant deputy Speaker who represents northern Ontario's Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing praised the prospect of a permanent hybrid arrangement. Hughes has undergone repeated foot surgeries that required prolonged absences from Ottawa. She's all for MPs who are able to vote in the House via app while recuperating. — LIBERAL MP YVONNE JONES: Labrador's four-termer explained the evolving nature of her flight itineraries to the committee. When she was first elected, two airlines combined to offer seven-day-a-week service. Now, a single airline flies three days. Jones can't feasibly get back to her riding on weekends — and a hybrid option would allow her to participate while in transit. — CONSERVATIVE MP TOM KMIEC: Calgary Shepard's man in Ottawa opposes a hybrid model, which he says reduces camaraderie and trust-building — and “nullifies the distinction” between a sitting week and a constituency week. He wants more MPs to “pair” votes — cancel out opposing votes, in effect — in cases of legit absence. — BLOC MP ANDRÉANNE LAROUCHE: Shefford's MP told the committee about her experience after giving birth in February 2021. Larouche said she was able to return to work within a matter of weeks, thanks in part to her spouse and sister's support. But she insisted the Hill can do more to make work-life balance possible for young parents. — LIBERAL MP JEAN YIP: The Scarborough–Agincourt rep became emotional at times as she described the experience of her late husband, former MP ARNOLD CHAN. He was so committed to his job in Ottawa, Yip said, that he traveled to committee “even when he needed constant water” because he was so ill with cancer. A hybrid House would have allowed him to spend more time with his family as his health deteriorated. What’s your take on the hybrid House? Tell us here. BEIJING BLOWS — Expect a heavy price should tensions over Taiwan escalate, one China expert warned a parliamentary committee Tuesday evening. “We should prepare ourselves for the possibility for a big and ugly and surprisingly strong conflict,” University of Calgary professor DAVID CURTIS WRIGHT said. Wright and former ambassador to China GUY SAINT-JACQUES told MPs Canada needs to double down on working with allies. One move, Saint-Jacques suggested, is for Ottawa to support Taiwan’s accession into multilateral organizations. “We should welcome them to join the CPTPP,” he said, referencing the abbreviated trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The House Canada-China special committee is mandated to “examine and review all aspects” of the relationship between the two countries. | 
