COVID-19: Canada Suspends Parliament

In a spirit  of unity, Canada’s House of Commons has put aside partisan wrangling and voted unanimously on Friday to suspend its session until April 20.

The suspension of the session on Friday was in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s important to mention that we did this together and it’s the right thing to do,” Government House Leader, Pablo Rodrigues told journalists at a joint news conference with opposition party leaders in Ottawa.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May welcomed the unanimous motion, telling the House that history would not look kindly at Canadian legislators if it emerged that they had become vectors for the coronavirus spread.

The voting in the House came hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he was going into self-isolation after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for coronaviorus following a trip to London.

Trudeau’s communications director, Cameron Ahmad, on Thursday said she was feeling very well and only had mild symptoms.

Trudeau was in good health with no symptoms and would not be tested on the advice of doctors,” but would remain in isolation for 14 days, Ahmad said.

However, Trudeau has urged everyone to stay at home at any sign of illness.