FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

March 23, 2020 - Ottawa, ON – The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the government’s proposed emergency legislation:

“Conservatives are ready to work to support Canadians in this time of crisis.

“Over the last week, we have negotiated for the return of Parliament expecting to enact the emergency measures the Prime Minister announced last week.

“We remain willing to enact those measures if the government proposes them tomorrow.

“In a crisis, broad, all-party agreement is essential, especially when the government has a minority in the House of Commons. And we are prepared to have Parliament sit as needed to transact the business of Parliament.

“But we will not give the government unlimited power to raise taxes without a parliamentary vote. We will authorize whatever spending measures are justified to respond to the situation, but we will not sign a blank cheque.”

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