Liberals send debate at two committees behind closed doors prompting Conservative criticism

Conservative MP Dan Mazier rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — The Conservatives say the Liberals wasted no time shutting down public debate at two House committees after securing their majority this week.

On Tuesday, the health and ethics committees welcomed new Liberal MPs, giving the government a majority of members.

Minutes into both meetings, the Liberal members then used their majorities to send the debates into closed-door sessions.

Tory health critic Dan Mazier had just called on the health committee to ask the auditor general to investigate a program called PrescribeIT that’s set to be scrapped next month.

The $300-million program was supposed to modernize doctors’ offices and phase out things like fax machines, but reports suggest it’s barely being used.

Liberal members of the committee refused to answer reporters’ questions about the move today on their way into the weekly caucus meeting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press