The House of Commons will convene Tuesday to deal with urgent business related to the novel coronavirus, according to a source in the prime minister’s office.
Global News has also learned that discussions are underway with the House leaders from each party to reconvene the House with the minimum number of MPs — preferably only those within driving distance of Ottawa.
There is an acknowledgement that each party will try to keep its MPs from flying.
Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet tweeted Saturday that he will be there.
Under House of Commons procedure rules, there must be a minimum of 20 MPs in the House for business to proceed.
Starting March 13, the House shut down for five weeks and the federal budget postponed indefinitely as the government focused its efforts on tackling the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
In Canada, there are 1,247 confirmed cases as of March 21, with 19 deaths. Thirteen people have officially recovered as well.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for the disease on March 12, with Trudeau in self-isolation and working from home as a result.
The prime minister is expected to address Canadians via a press conference on Sunday morning at 11:15 a.m. ET. He has been holding press conferences on the front lawn of his official residence, Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.
— With files by Global News reporter Amanda Connolly
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