Kenora MP Eric Melillo is accusing the Liberals of using stall tactics to delay his motion on rural internet.
The Conservative member introduced a motion in support of broadband investments in Northern and remote communities at a meeting of the Standing Committee of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
It read “That the Committee recognizes the immediate need for investment in broadband in Northern Canada to ensure remote communities are not left behind during this pandemic, and this be reported to the House.”
However Melillo says attempts to pass the motion were scuttled by Liberal members of the committee, who refused to give unanimous consent, despite no objections during debate.
Melillo says he even offered to accept a simple amendment but the motion was tabled for the next meeting.
He stresses this was something that could have been voted on immediately to show government support for rural and remote communities and questions why the Liberals fought so hard to prevent the committee from passing the motion.
Melillo says “My Conservative colleagues and I want to use our roles on this Committee to get results for Indigenous and Northern communities. I hope the Liberals want to do more than just play games, but what we saw today was not a good sign.”
Melillo introduced a second motion calling for a study on food security in Northern Canada.
