Select Committee Holds Its First Virtual Meeting #nlpoli

The House of Assembly Select Committee of Rules and Procedures Governing Virtual Proceedings held its first meeting on Wednesday. The in-camera meeting took place via videoconference technology, which marks the first time in history a meeting of a Standing or Select Committee of the House of Assembly was conducted in this manner.

The Select Committee was established by a resolution of the House passed on May 5th. It is tasked with determining the manner in which the House may conduct virtual proceedings such that Members can continue to fulfill their parliamentary duties as legislators and provide for accountability at a time when it is difficult to regularly attend the House in person due to travel restrictions, health vulnerability, and physical distancing requirements.

At its first meeting, the Select Committee discussed general procedural implications for virtual proceedings and confirmed its next meeting for Tuesday, May 19. Its report must be tabled with the Clerk of the House of Assembly as soon as possible, but no later than July 1. Once presented to the Clerk it will be deemed to have been presented to and adopted by the House of Assembly on that date.