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.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, before I get started, I would just like to inform the House that I will be splitting my time with my hon. colleague, the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. Like many members here in the House today, I am also hearing concerns and fears from constituents. Constituents are seeing businesses closing, they are being laid off and they are at home taking care of their families.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, people certainly care about their municipal services. I am so grateful for the people who are working for the municipality in the city of London. They are doing an incredible job to make sure that necessary services continue to function, and I really want to thank them.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, in times of crisis, not-for-profit organizations and charitable organizations are more vital. In my community of London, I have been participating in some of the local city-run phone calls that have taken place to try to bring forward a lot of the issues and struggles of people, and so I am hearing from them directly.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I have heard from so many of my constituents that they are terrified about what is to come and how they are going to keep their families fed and a roof over their heads. A lot of them are really scared and they are now dealing with the problems of being paid double payments, overpayments.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, there is no doubt that seniors right across the country are feeling the impacts of the increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are suffering a great deal of anxiety because of the declining value of their retirement savings, which they depend upon greatly. Canadian seniors need our help and they need it now.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, small businesses and the people who run them are key to our communities and they need help paying their bills right now. They need more help than just the loans the government is offering. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, even with the help already being provided, 42% of small businesses are worried that they will have to permanently close.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act  Mr. Speaker, I have heard a lot from my constituents specifically about the Canada Post Corporation, and the fact that it is not taking the proper steps to ensure the safety of its employees and its clients. It is not providing protective equipment or sanitizing depot buildings and vehicles.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate having the opportunity to discuss this bill and debate it in the House today and at a later period of time. I would like to echo the comments of my colleague just now and ask the minister about small businesses. I have heard from so many in my riding of London—Fanshawe that a 10% wage subsidy is simply not enough.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if the member was trying to shift the responsibility from the majority Liberal governments over all of those years. They certainly had every opportunity. Even in the last session when it had a majority, it was at a snail's pace. Liberals keep saying there was all of this advancement, but I know that people in my riding, having to decide between food on their tables or the medications they need to survive, are not really appreciative of the fact that it has taken those 23 years to move this forward.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I have heard my colleague bring this issue up in the House today. I appreciate that he is advocating so fiercely for some of his constituents, which is wonderful to see. As other members in the House have mentioned, bringing in a universal pharmacare program does not mean we are giving up on continuing to advance the need for specific medications for people with rare diseases.