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Liberals Pledge Openness After Using Majority to Close Commons Committees

The promise tests how a new Liberal majority will balance control with public oversight.

Overview

  • Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said Friday his goal is for House of Commons committees to virtually always meet in public.
  • The Liberals, who became a majority Monday, have since used their numbers to move several committee meetings in camera and once to end a meeting early.
  • Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer called the moves completely undemocratic and said the government is hiding facts and information from Canadians.
  • CBC reported four committees — ethics, health, science and transport — met behind closed doors, where reporters are barred and no official transcript is kept.
  • MacKinnon warned that deliberate obstruction by opposition MPs would trigger a counter‑reaction, describing the current tussle as a period of adjustment to majority rule.