As Parliament resumes this week, the Liberals say they have major bills to get through in 20 days and they will not tolerate “obfuscation or political games.”.Government House Leader Mark Holland said Monday Parliament must pass major amendments to the Criminal Code and Canada Labour Code, said Blacklock’s Reporter..“I am not looking to tolerate a lot of obfuscation or political games,” said Holland adding the bills cabinet sought to pass had already been amply debated though they were not yet introduced..“We’ve already had significant debate on these issues, both in and out of the chamber in some cases, and a lot of time for discussion over the weeks that led up to here,” said Holland..“I think Canadians expect us to hit the ground running.”.Cabinet is seeking quick passage of Labour Code amendments mandating two weeks’ paid sick leave in the federally-regulated private sector, and Criminal Code amendments banning street protests outside hospitals..“It is my intention not just to introduce these items but to pass these items by Christmas to be specific, yes,” said Holland..The Commons is scheduled to meet for 20 days before adjourning for Christmas recess December 17..Cabinet has not detailed the cost of mandating 10 days’ paid sick leave at federally-regulated workplaces like airports, banks and grain mills. Government employees are entitled to 18 days’ paid sick leave annually at a cost of about $871 million a year, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office..“Ten day paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, in my opinion, is incredibly important,” said Holland..“We shouldn’t have employees within our jurisdiction who are trying to make a choice whether or not they go to work sick or whether or not they can stay home, or whether or not they go to work sick or whether or not they have to pay their bills. It’s an unfair choice.”.Criminal Code amendments would reflect a September 13 Liberal Party statement that Parliament “make it a criminal offence to obstruct access to any building providing health services including hospitals, vaccine clinics, testing centres, pharmacies and abortion clinics.”.The Criminal Code already prohibits unlawful assembly defined as “three or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, assemble in such a manner or so conduct themselves as to cause persons in the neighbourhood of the assembly to fear on reasonable grounds that they will disturb the peace.”
