Mr. Chair, like many of my colleagues, I have received numerous questions from my constituents during the crisis. Some of them told me they did not file a tax return the previous year and could, therefore, not prove that they had earned more than $5,000, which would give them access to the Canada emergency response benefit, or CERB.
Some companies are not making the tax contribution they should, but are eligible for programs, while Canadians are not. Congratulations to those businesses, but Canadians are being punished.
When I have to explain to my constituents that they will not be eligible for the CERB, as they did not file their tax return, they understand that, when we do not contribute to the social safety net, we should not benefit from it. That is a simple principle that an average bear understands.
I would like to know whether the government also understands that simple principle.