Justin Trudeau is taking a “personal” day on the very day he recalled Members of Parliament from all across Canada to return to work, despite living only five minutes away from the House of Commons. 

On Saturday, the Speaker’s Office announced that the House was being called back to Ottawa in two days – the minimum amount of time required to do so.

Something urgent needed to be debated or passed. MP’s from across the country announced that they would be there.

I will be there. https://t.co/tLRT8FBP6G

— Tom Kmiec (@tomkmiec) July 18, 2020

However, one rather prominent face was going to be missing.

After all of the logistical trouble that goes along with reconvening the House on such short notice (bringing the parliamentary staff in, arranging security, flight bookings, event cancellations, hotel bookings), Justin Trudeau’s staff announced early this morning that he was taking the day off.

Trudeau’s vacation day while Canada is facing crises on all fronts was not taken well by members of the opposition.

Andrew Scheer now speaking. Calls out Justin Trudeau for taking a "personal" day (as per Trudeau's itinerary) today when the House of Commons is reconvening, especially when the Trudeau government set the schedule.

— Andrew Lawton (@AndrewLawton) July 20, 2020

Conservative members of the Senate also chimed in, calling out Prime Minister Trudeau for his ill-timed vacation.

Is this still accurate?
Prime Minister Trudeau's itinerary for today (PM website as of 8:20 am EST) says he's taking a "Personal" day.
Today? When he called the House of Commons back today with the bare minimum notice this weekend?#GetBackToWork #HoC pic.twitter.com/oMUougHHQO

— Sen. Denise Batters (@denisebatters) July 20, 2020

The House has seen a sharp decrease in regular sittings, with just 38 sessions occurring between June 22, 2019 and June 22, 2020.

Regular House of Commons sittings have been delayed since May, when the NDP sided with the Liberals to waive rules regarding normal procedures for an additional four months.