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:
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, the member opposite makes me want to go dine in London, Ontario with that description.
This program will apply from September 27. It is focused on the future and provides really generous support for businesses.
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, the minister has said that the answer for companies that need help is they should go further into debt. Is that her only solution? Does she truly believe that is the most help her government can provide?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, we are talking tonight about providing really significant support for enterprises, with up to 65% of wages covered. That is a grant, not a loan.
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, businesses cannot take on bigger loans. It just puts them further into debt. She does not understand.
There are several cultural clubs in my riding that provide an incredible connection for their members through their history, culture, language and identities. Several clubs survive by hosting events, celebrations and ceremonies and that cannot happen now because of COVID—19.
These clubs own their own land and their buildings, so they are not eligible for the programs under the former or the currently proposed programs, and they are drowning in debt from other fixed costs. Is there a plan to help these clubs?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I will conclude my answer to the last question, because it is important for Canadians to understand. Neither the wage subsidy nor the rent subsidy involve additional debt for businesses. These are straight grants from the government to Canadian enterprises. I agree that is what Canadian enterprises need. That is why we are going to be there for them.
I would also like to point out a new feature of the rent support program. It is available not only to enterprises that are renters but also to support enterprises and entities that are—
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, why did this government choose not to make the program retroactive to April?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, our focus is on keeping businesses that are viable today viable going—
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, a constituent in my riding named Matthew fears the loss of his job. He works for a company that has a few franchises. In this new program proposed by the Liberals, they have placed a $300,000 cap on support provided to businesses. However, for companies that are franchises with a few locations, many rents can add up quickly and $300,000 does not cover them for very long or at all. Would the government consider increasing that cap?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I think the New Democratic Party shares our government's absolute focus on helping the small businesses that need the support the most. That is what this program has been—
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Madam Chair, I am going to be asking questions of the Minister of Finance. I want to really focus in on those issues that are important to my riding and have been expressed to me by many businesses and farmers.
As was already alluded to by the member for Lakeland, a lot of our farmers have had trouble accessing the CEBA account. I want to ensure the current forms of the new wage subsidy and rent subsidy will not involve any problems with people accessing them if they do not have business bank accounts, which is so important to sole proprietorships.
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Madam Chair, I appreciate the member's excellent question. The idea is exactly what the Minister of Finance said earlier, which is to make sure that everything is put into place so that businesses in his riding and across Canada have access to the type of support that they need according to their conditions in the current crisis.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Therefore, Madam Chair, in the situation of a sole proprietorship that does not have a business account, or may not even have a business registration number with the Government of Canada because as a farm it is GST exempt and is not collecting taxes on behalf of the government, will the business owner be able to access these programs if they are eligible?
