Nasty smell in Senate chambers causes early adjournment
A pungent odour prompted a sitting of Canadian Senators to adjourn early Tuesday afternoon.
Sen. Don Plett rose in the Red Chamber to express his concern over working conditions, hearkening back to his days as a plumber.
"Your honour, I’m not quite sure how to approach this, but we have a very, very difficult odour in this chamber, as we have had in the entire building most of the morning," he said. "As an old plumber, I used to work with this odour quite a bit. As a Senator, I haven’t quite as often."
Plett said he wasn't sure exactly what the proper course of action was, but added the smell was affecting some Senators and would likely continue to be a problem.
Speaker George Furey said there was "little or nothing" he could do but did acknowledge some people had complained of headaches and other discomforts because of the smell.
"I think, in fairness to all our colleagues, especially those who are not here because of this particular problem, that we should suspend to a five-minute bell and ask the leadership if they can get together and discuss this," he said.
Furey called a five-minute suspension at around 3:15 p.m. It wasn't long before the Senate adjourned. On Twitter, the Senate announced its adjournment at 3:28 p.m. Committee meetings for Tuesday evening were cancelled, according to the Senate's website.
Ottawa paramedics told CTV News they did not respond to the Senate for any medical issues and the Ottawa Fire Service said they were not called either.
Alison Korn, spokesperson for the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, told CTV News Ottawa in an email that the opening of the nearby Rideau Canal Locks was to blame.
"Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has advised us that a sulfur smell was caused by the opening of the nearby Rideau Locks, which caused stagnant water to circulate," Korn wrote. "The air quality is being monitored. A complete air change will be done in the building before it is occupied tomorrow."
The Senate of Canada is located in the old railway building on Rideau Street near Sussex Drive, across from the Chateau Laurier. The Rideau Canal Locks are next to the Chateau Laurier, connecting the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River behind Parliament Hill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.