Liberals pledge open parliamentary committees after closed-door meetings draw criticism

The Liberal government’s House leader, Steven MacKinnon, says parliamentary committees should generally meet in public, after Conservatives criticized the party for using its new majority to move several committees behind closed doors. MacKinnon said committees play a key role in holding the government accountable and reviewing spending, and he said he would work with opposition parties to keep committee work transparent. He also said Parliament is going through a period of adjustment now that the Liberals have secured a majority. The controversy grew after Liberals moved four committees — including ethics, health, science and transport — into in camera sessions over the past week. Conservatives called the move undemocratic and accused the government of trying to limit scrutiny of its decisions.