Bill C-14 (Historical)

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2

A second Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19

Part 1 amends the Income Tax Act to introduce an emergency wage subsidy as part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Part 2 amends Part IV.‍1 of the Financial Administration Act to provide that certain provisions of that Act, as enacted by the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, cease to have effect on the day after September 30, 2020.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have to say what a distinct it honour it is, and I was going to mention it, but I thought it was a private conversation I had with the Deputy Prime Minister, and I was not sure I should mention the role of the hon. member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith. My favourite thing about his alert to the government that the Harmac mill in Nanaimo makes essential parts of the 3M masks that were, at that time, creating a conflict between the United States and Canada, was the subject line, which I loved.

Forgive me for sharing that the memo that the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith sent the Deputy Prime Minister was titled “fun fact”.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.

I have a specific question for her. If a business wants to receive the emergency wage subsidy, it will have to prove a drop in revenue. Community groups, non-profit organizations and food banks may have a hard time proving a drop in revenue. Food banks may even have an increase in revenue, since more people want to donate and contribute.

Does my colleague think that the government should make exceptions for community groups, in particular food banks, with respect to the drop in revenue?

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I completely agree with my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie.

Our country is wealthy and industrialized. We must eliminate poverty once and for all, and this truly is possible.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Mr. Speaker, to my colleague, from one end of the country to another, let me perhaps provide some help. I too have ferries in New Brunswick Southwest. Last Sunday the federal government extended the Quarantine Act. It is now actually a federal regulation that gives ferry owner-operators the ability to restrict people who take the ferries to get across this country; that power is already there.

On that note, a concern I have about the Emergencies Act is that already municipal workers, ferry workers and provincial workers have power that the federal government has granted. I do not believe we should rush to enact the Emergencies Act when powers already exist and they just are not being utilized, perhaps because they are not known. There is the ability to restrict people travelling on ferries today, thanks to the work the federal government has done.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that this discussion we have just had will make it to the news in British Columbia. The question will then go to officials at B.C. Ferries as to why they are not referencing the Quarantine Act to ensure that people who are not on essential business are not travelling to the Gulf Islands or elsewhere throughout B.C. I know that Haida Gwaii has been very clear that it does not want visitors coming to its territories.

We need to make sure that the tools that are available are well known to all.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands for her fine speech.

We are experiencing an unprecedented public health crisis accompanied by a terrible economic crisis. We are working hard to overcome it as fast as possible.

The economist Schumpeter spoke of “creative destruction”, and his idea has filtered through in economic circles. It is the idea that whenever a crisis occurs, the end of the crisis can provide an opportunity to shape the economy of the future.

Does my colleague believe that on the day we exit this crisis, we will have the opportunity to accelerate the shift to a green economy?

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Joliette. I fully agree with him.

Making a real start on a fundamental shift to a green economy is not only possible, but essential. It is possible because after this pandemic and the current public health crisis end, there will still be a climate crisis.

We need to take action to save our economy and invest in renewable energy and green technologies in order to develop a forward-looking economy.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

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.

Does the member agree that in the future something we could work on as well is that the federal government implement a liveable federal minimum wage?

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is an easy answer. Yes, of course. It was in our platform as Greens. Our belief in that goes way back. We do not like to use the term “universal basic income” because we want to make sure that when we go to a guaranteed liveable income, it is actually at a level where people can live on it but know that they can earn more and then the taxation rate will kick in.

Canada as a whole will be stronger and more resilient when we actually have a society where nobody falls through the cracks.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

It being 6 p.m., pursuant to order made earlier today, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and to put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the second reading stage of the bill now before the House.

The question is on the motion.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

On division.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time, deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage on division, deemed read a third time and passed on division)

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Thank you everyone.

Today has been an exceptional day in the midst of exceptional times. A few weeks ago, the Deputy Speaker, the hon. member for Simcoe North and the Assistant Deputy Speaker, the hon. member for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, presided over the chamber as a small group of members gathered to pass emergency legislation that would help Canadians cope with some of the devastating effects of the global pandemic that has hit this country.

Today I have had the privilege of being here with you, hon. members and employees. I want to thank you, personally and on behalf of our parliamentary colleagues, for being here and for your efforts to serve Canadians.

We were able to carry out our work today because of the support of all these essential employees of the House administration, the Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Protective Service. We are grateful for your help under these challenging circumstances.

On behalf of my colleagues, I would also like to express my gratitude to health care workers and everyone who works to keep our essential structures running smoothly.

Hon. colleagues, keep safe, keep well, and we will get through this together.

I want to wish all of you a happy Easter and a happy Passover. Have a great weekend.

Thank you all very much.

Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2020, at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:04 p.m.)