OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he asked Gov. Gen. Julie Payette to prorogue Parliament until late next month.

He says Parliament will return Sept. 23, which is two days after the House of Commons was initially scheduled to resume sitting.

The Liberal government will then deliver a speech from the throne.

Earlier in the day, Chrystia Freeland was sworn in as the federal finance minister, at a time when Canada is dealing with the biggest budget deficit since the Second World War — a job that will involve planning for an economic recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

{The Canadian Press}