Richmond-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal is one of about a dozen MLAs at an emergency legislative session Monday to figure out measures the government can take in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Johal said this is “no time for politics” as the provincial government looks at what measures are needed as large segments of society shut down, workers lose their jobs and people isolate to stop the spread of the virus.
Ten MLAs are needed for a quorum. They will be sitting spread out in the legislature where normally there are 87 MLAS. They will only be joined by the Speaker of the House and the clerk.
The main items on the agenda for today are approval of nine months of spending, changes to the Employment Standards Act, support for small business and the social sector as well as possible relief for both renters and mortgage holders, Johal explained.
Johal is especially concerned about small, mom-and-pop shops that have to pay rent on the first of the month.
Some of these businesses have taken a lifetime to build, he said, and he hopes they are around when this outbreak is over to hire people back.
Another challenge facing government will be making sure essential workers can work, while schools and some childcare centre are closed.
“You can see the inter-connectedness of society and what a challenge it is for government - this is a once in a lifetime challenge,” Johal said.
Normally, the legislature would have a few weeks to pass these bills, but these are “unique times,” Johal said.
Everything will be done in a day, and he expects to be back on the ferry on Monday evening, sitting in his car in isolation, and back working from home again Tuesday.
Johal said he hopes this situation starts a broader conversation about government’s role in a crisis, but also the role of individuals during a time of anxiety and frustration.
“I hope people take this time to spend with their families,” Johal said. “Most of all, I hope people pick up their phone and call their neighbours and ask, 'Are you okay, can I get you some groceries?'”
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