This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal
This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment amends the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria, as well as the level of subsidization, under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) as part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019. It also extends the CEWS to June 30, 2021. The enactment further amends the Income Tax Act to introduce the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) in order to support those hardest hit by the coronavirus disease 2019. This subsidy provides relief in respect of rent and interest on debt obligations incurred to acquire real property used by businesses, charities and not-for-profit organizations in the course of their businesses or other activities. The rent subsidy is effective as of September 27, 2020.
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-9s:
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, they received $1.2 million in wage subsidies, which enabled them to raise $9 million.
Ultimately, this $1.2 million will be used for the next election campaign. When this money is spent, the Liberal Party will get a 50% refund, or $600,000. Thus, the Liberal Party will receive $2 million thanks to the Canada emergency wage subsidy, even though it is a millionaire party that does not need this money.
Does the government agree with this practice, or does it have any regrets?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I have no regrets about the wage subsidy. It is an excellent program that has helped many Canadians and Quebeckers.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, I know the minister knows my riding well. Too many businesses in my riding of Edmonton Strathcona were locked out of the rent subsidy program because their landlords refused to apply. Some of them have gone out of business as a result, but others are still hanging on by a thread.
Will you allow those businesses still hanging on to apply to recover the rent subsidy funds that they were denied under the CECRA program?
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
I want to remind the member that she is to address questions and comments to the Chair.
The hon. minister.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Madam Chair, I did go to high school in the excellent riding of Edmonton Strathcona.
We absolutely know that there are businesses across the country that need support. That is why we are discussing tonight strong programs to support Canadian businesses, rent support of up to 90% if a business is subject to local lockdown.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, will she make it retroactive until April?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, as the member opposite knows, the program is retroactive to September 27. It is a good question, but our focus is on tomorrow.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, will companies that have locked out their workers be able to access the wage subsidy? Would you consider changing the criteria to ensure the program is not enabling employers to pay for replacement labour?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, the wage subsidy is organized to help as many people keep their job as possible, but it is a very important issue to look into and to think about.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, if company owners refuse to use the emergency wage subsidy but apply for the LEEFF loan, will they be able to access the LEEFF loan?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, there are a lot of conditions for the LEEFF loan. Each situation is specific. A tiger team works very hard for—
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, among the LEEFF eligibility requirements, why did the minister not require the company to use the wage subsidy?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, the LEEFF conditions are very strict, as they ought to be. They include environmental criteria. They include restrictions on executive pay. They—