COVID-19 benefit bill will be a confidence vote: Liberal House leader

Government House leaderPablo Rodriguez says the Liberals' recently introduced COVID-19 economic package bill will be a vote of confidence onewhich couldputthe Liberals' minority governmentto the test over the next several hours.

The legislation in question, Bill C-4, would introduce a series of new COVID-19 benefits for Canadians to ease their transition away fromthe Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

"We are in the [second] wave of #COVID-19, but we have a plan. Our bill on sick leave and support to families is at the core of it. We will consider the vote on the legislation as a matter of confidence," Rodrigueztweeted Tuesday morning.

"Canadians can't wait. We need to move forward. Together."

This means the Liberals' minority government could face itsfirst make-or-break test of the fall sitting tonight.

It appears thegovernment is in a good positionto avoida snap election, however.

Last week, the government secured NDP support for C-4 by boosting the value of the weekly benefitfor self-employed or gig workersto $500from $400and expandingeligibility for paid sick leave.

The New Democrats'support would all but guaranteethe bill's passage.

Path cleared for early morning vote

Rodriguez has been asking Parliament to fast-track the legislation so that it can be passed in a single day after just 4.5 hours of debate infuriating opposition critics who accuse the government of ducking another debate after itprorogued Parliamentin August.

With the support of New Democrats, the Liberal government today won a closure vote a motion to limit debate on Rodriguez's motion by 173 votesto 142.

If Rodriguez's motion passes later this evening, as expected, debate on the actual bill will follow and debate on the confidence vote isexpected to carry oninto the early morning hours.

The Senate isalready planningto sit on Wednesday to deal with the emergency benefitsbill.

Watch:Hilarious House of Commons' first virtual vote:

Hilarious House of Commons' first virtual vote

4 years ago

Duration 2:42

Monday night's vote in the House of Commons was the first one in history to see MPs participating virtually. The vote was successful but not without its share of bloopers.

The bill would set up three new benefits for Canadians who won't qualify for EI but are still affectedby the COVID-19 crisis.

They includethe Canada Recovery Benefit for self-employed and gig workers, expanded sick leave and a caregiver benefitfor workers who must stay home to care for a child or another dependent because their school, daycare or other day program facility has beenshut down due to COVID.

The House held its first virtual vote last night, which was delayed due to technical glitches.

The first scheduled confidence vote had been theupcoming vote onthe speech from the throne. The Conservatives have saidcategorically that they will not support the speech.