House of Commons Hours of Business

[Topaz]

on the news today, it was reported that MPs only want to work 4 days a week and not 5 and have Friday off because for some it takes too long to get home, especially if they live on the coasts. So should they be allowed to and if so, should their wages be reduced. Should there be a minimum hours MPs should work.

[Michael Hardner]

Edited the thread title for specificity.

[eyeball]

They should work 12 hours a day 7 days a week, from home if necessary. The problems of the country require all hands on deck 24/7.

We need more representatives to ensure the other 12 hrs aren't wasted.

[The_Squid]

Mon-Fri is fine... if they're tired when they fly back home Friday night, well, too bad. Make sure you're back for Monday @ 8am.

Or, don't fly home if it is such a burden. Or resign if it is such a burden....

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/mps-discuss-whether-to-cancel-friday-sittings-of-the-commons

Edited January 29, 2016 by The_Squid

[Smallc]

I have no problem with going from 4.5 days to 4. It's unlikely to change all that much in the grand scheme of things. As a compensation, I think their breaks should be shortened though.

[capricorn]

Then the next thing you know, they'll want to leave early on Thursday. I say leave things the way they are. As Squid said, if the hours are unsuitable, then don't be an MP.

[Smallc]

Then the next thing you know, they'll want to leave early on Thursday.

Lets say, they sit 20 weeks a year right now. If we add three more weeks to that, but cut the days of the week to four, we'll end up with more useful sitting time.

The half day Friday is pretty useless as it stands.

Edited January 29, 2016 by Smallc

[Shady]

Is it any surprise that when the Liberals get elected, the work hours decrease.

[Moonlight Graham]

Shouldn't they be willing to relocate and live in Ottawa? Am I paying for them to fly home every weekend?

[Moonlight Graham]

Lets say, they sit 20 weeks a year right now. If we add three more weeks to that, but cut the days of the week to four, we'll end up with more useful sitting time.

The half day Friday is pretty useless as it stands.

True, that wouldn't be a big deal to me.

[Smallc]

Shouldn't they be willing to relocate and live in Ottawa? Am I paying for them to fly home every weekend?

Well, in fairness, only half of the job is in Ottawa. The other half is in their home constituencies. They really can't relocate (though there's no reason for them to go home every weekend).

[Big Guy]

The real business is done in committee. The rest is eye candy.

Stop TV coverage of Question period and focus on committee meetings and we may move forward.

[Bonam]

Well, in fairness, only half of the job is in Ottawa. The other half is in their home constituencies. They really can't relocate (though there's no reason for them to go home every weekend).

How did MPs resolve this back before there was the ability to travel back and forth by air on a regular basis?

[Shady]

Shouldn't they be willing to relocate and live in Ottawa? Am I paying for them to fly home every weekend?

Exactly. Or fly home on their own dime.

[waldo]

Is it any surprise that when the Liberals get elected, the work hours decrease.

Exactly. Or fly home on their own dime.

huh! Since when is "taking the four and a half hours of Friday sittings" and moving them forward into the weeks prior 4 days... just how is that, as you say, "decreasing work hours"? It would appear you've never worked for a progressive thinking employer; this is pretty common stuff in the corporate world - the 4 day working week - what a concept! Oh wait, employers I'm familiar with have always viewed travel time as 'working time'... ya see Shady... that ties into such things as corporate insurance for employees traveling on business.

.

[Topaz]

It has been reported in the past, that many MPs marriage ended in divorce because of the separation but there are other occupations in the same boat. How are MPs paid by the hour, week ? I think most Canadians would say, they want to see results of their labour and earn their pay. The schedule has been set by the Tories till March sometime, then the Liberals set their own schedule for the House. It just seems the House if off then on the several years.

[Smallc]

How did MPs resolve this back before there was the ability to travel back and forth by air on a regular basis?

Is this an argument against technology, or something?

[Smallc]

Exactly. Or fly home on their own dime.

Travelling back and forth (though not necessarily every week) is part of their job.

[Big Guy]

"It is not in the hours you put in but what you put into the hours."

In this age of new technologies, many companies use these technologies to cut down on the time wasted on travelling and accommodations. Video meetings are common with people from all over the world not just in Canada.

Ottawa creates money when needed and can certainly afford these new technologies.

[Topaz]

The news was saying that the MP could spend more time in their ridings but how many of us see our MP? I think the first way of communicating with them is e-mails, so unless it's a holiday, which they seem to have more of, they should stay in Ottawa.