Conservative Senator Don Plett from Landmark has been flown to Ottawa to approve an $82 billion emergency measures aid package. 

Plett says this money will be placed into the Canadian economy in order to help those who have been davastated and are struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. The aid package needs approval from both the House of Commons and the Senate. 

Plett landed in Ottawa late Monday afternoon. Speaking to Steinbachonline.com on Tuesday afternoon, Plett says there were some glitches, which kept the matter longer than expected in the House of Commons. He notes it should be dealt with by the Senate on Wednesday.

(Senator Don Plett)According to Plett, all parties agreed that a limited number of Senators and Members of Parliament would be brought in to negotiate this. A plane was sent to pick up Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, House Leader Candice Bergen and Senator Plett. 

"The government sent an airplane for us so that we did not have to go through the regular channels and subject ourselves and others in airports and airplanes," says Plett. "So we came here on a charter aircraft (Monday) and here we are waiting for the House to pass legislation and then we want to deal with it in the Senate."

Plett says at a time when Canadians are being encouraged not to fly, it was not his intention to get to Ottawa by air. In fact, he was expecting to leave Sunday afternoon and drive to Ottawa. But, he says when the government recognized the importance of flying the Leaders to Ottawa for this important debate, he was able to hop aboard that flight. However, the consequence is that when he returns to Manitoba in the next day or two, he will be in self-isolation for 14 days.

The Landmark Senator is one of six from the Conservative side. There are also three from a group called Canadian Senators Group and 16 from the Independent Senators Group. 

 "Which is a little disappointing because quite frankly we were supposed to try to keep our numbers limited because of this," says Plett. "That one group believes that some how they are not subject to that and have decided to come here with a group as many as 16 to deal with this when that is certainly unnecessary."

Meanwhile, Plett's message to Canadians is that the Conservatives will do everything they can in the face of this adversity. He says as the opposition, they will show leadership and wisdom in both the House of Commons and in the Senate. 

"Let me also be clear we will always support measures to put money directly into Canadians' pockets during difficult times," he adds. "Time is of the essence, that is why I am back in Ottawa this week."

Plett says he and his colleagues want to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals, families and small businesses in our society do not endure undue hardship. He notes most people are facing an uncertain future, a pending layoff or the closing of the family business and as Parliamentarians they need to act decisively.

"I encourage everyone at this point to follow the best advice of provincial and federal officials and Medical Officers of Health," he says, "While there are certainly hard times ahead, we are a strong country, a strong province and we will undoubtedly rise to the challenge posed by this global pandemic."

He encourages Canadians to focus on what can be done as a society to help out local communities, neighbours and the families in need during the difficult times that lie ahead.