Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act  Mr. Speaker, one of the interesting comments that my hon. colleague made across the way during her speech, was that now is not the time for this benefit to become universal and maybe they would look at it again at some point. I cannot imagine any other time than now to ensure that everybody is covered and has the supports that they need.

Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act  Mr. Speaker, I am so glad that the hon. member, my leader, mentioned this. I know that this happened in my riding. Caterpillar received a significant amount of money from the federal government several years ago. Then it picked up and left, and there were no jobs left in my community under that company, so I am really glad that this was raised.

Canada Emergency Student Benefit Act  Mr. Speaker, one of the things I find frustrating about all of this is that the CESB provides 40% less, on average, to students. The government has said it is providing a whole suite of programs that students can access: the service grants that they can get through volunteering or the access to student loans and grants later on, when they start school.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Speaker, absolutely, we can always do better. We know the government did not learn everything it should have learned when SARS was an issue. We have heard horrible stories about a lot of PPE being thrown away, because it did not have those systems in place. Absolutely, we can always do better.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to inform you that I will be splitting my time with my hon. colleague, the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. Today I want to also begin by sharing my deepest sympathies and condolences with the families, friends and loved ones of RCMP constable Heidi Stevenson and her fellow Nova Scotians who lost their lives this past weekend.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Speaker, will the minister extend the negotiations on commercial rent and expand it to residential rent as well, so that people are not faced with the scary prospect of losing their homes?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, I am also hearing from the local councillors in the city of London. Their municipal budgets are under immense strain. They have been doing amazing outreach work through phone calls several times a week. They are talking to small businesses, the not-for-profit sector and charities, and all those amazing people who are doing incredible work in our municipalities, but if they do not get financial help soon, they are really going to suffer.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, the government announced last week that it would implement a rent abatement program for small and medium-sized enterprises, which the NDP was calling for. That was last week and there are still no details. My constituency office is in a plaza that has a lot of other businesses, including a gym, a hairdresser studio and a clothing store.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, I have also heard from a lot of seniors in my riding, and I know my hon. colleague from Hamilton Mountain has been working with the minister, asking for supports for seniors to come through. They are facing increased costs for groceries, for delivery, for their prescription drugs, and they are on fixed incomes.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Mr. Speaker, Corey Palmer is a small business owner in London, Ontario. Crane Wise Inc. is Corey's brand new business, and he employs five people. Through the pandemic, Corey is keeping his employees on payroll, but because of the overly restrictive rules in the Liberals' wage subsidy, Corey and his employees are being left behind.

Long-Term Care System  Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has hit our seniors and elders particularly hard, especially those in long-term care. We know seniors are more at risk, and many of us are doing everything we can to protect our parents and grandparents. All of us have watched the heartbreaking scenes of loved ones standing outside long-term care homes, trying to let their elders know they are not alone.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, I was so happy to hear the member across the way talk about a universal basic income. I am hoping as we move forward that is something we can work for together. Those front-line workers we talk about, the people working in the grocery stores stocking shelves and the people working at the pharmacies are often paid minimum wage.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, I have heard from so many businesses that are really concerned. They do not want to take out a loan or be behind the eight ball more than they already are, so looking at rent freezes is absolutely vital to helping those small and medium-sized enterprises. In my riding and across the country these businesses provide, I think, 95% or at least over 90% of the jobs in our community.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, yes, we have supported that. It is something we were pushing for as well. There is a reality on the ground. I have heard it constantly from people who are doing that amazing work on the ground, the food banks, people who are helping people with disabilities, seniors, all of those organizations.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, I have a cousin who is a PSW. I have certainly heard from a lot of them in my riding as well, and from local bus drivers with the London Transit Commission. They are really concerned that for some of their clients, those in wheelchairs and with disabilities, they have to get really close to them in order to strap them in.