COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on May 20th, 2020

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

You have 30 seconds, please.

[Navdeep Bains, Liberal, Mississauga—Malton, ON]

When it comes to intellectual property, we're the first government to introduce a national intellectual property strategy. We understand that we need to support our researchers and scientists and make sure they have the ability to see those benefits right here in Canada for Canadians. We'll also continue to work with our allies.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable member for Beloeil—Chambly has the floor.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

We have a point of order for the honourable member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Do I have 30 seconds?

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

No, there is no time left at all. Actually, there was a little extra that I gave the minister to respond.

The honourable member for Beloeil—Chambly has the floor.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Madam Chair, I have been hearing esteemed colleagues express tonsorial concerns. I am pleased to say to those living in Quebec that, as of June 1, we will be able to tame our luxuriant locks and lighten the weight of our presence here.

For my part, I would like to express my confidence in the media, which is working hard to provide Quebecers with information. I strictly avoid any anxiety ranging from persecution to paranoia. However, our support for the exceptional measures was, of course, contingent upon the fulfillment of a number of commitments. I repeat, with the utmost seriousness, that if the commitments are not kept and we are not told when, how and how much within a reasonable time frame, on Monday, we will not vote in favour of extending the special measures. Why grant special powers if the commitments made under those powers are not honoured?

For example, the Deputy Prime Minister made a very formal commitment in the House to introduce an employment incentive mechanism, so that people would be allowed to earn $1,000 over and above the $1,000 without being penalized in terms of the CERB. Then, to ensure that people do not just work part time and as a transitional measure toward economic recovery, we insist that recipients keep half of their earnings over and above the $1,000.

To ensure that the government keeps its word and that we can once again work together on Monday, what are the Deputy Prime Minister's thoughts on this measure, which would be helpful for her as well?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I must say I do not have the same tonsorial concerns as my colleague opposite. Everything is going very well for me, but we warmly applaud the Quebec government’s announcement regarding June 1.

I would like to add that we are very aware that this extraordinarily important emergency measure, the Canada emergency response benefit, was rolled out quickly. From the outset, we announced that it was an emergency measure and that it was also intended to evolve. That is what we are going to do over the next few weeks.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Let's talk about evolution. There is a fairly broad consensus in economic circles, particularly among chambers of commerce and seasonal industries. They are very concerned that this measure, in its current form, could slow the economic recovery by creating a gap between those who receive the benefit and those who work. There needs to be a transition.

Not so long ago, last week, actually, the government experienced a moment of confusion. Three government spokespersons were saying that those who were afraid to return to work did not have to go back, while three others were saying the opposite, that they had to. In the end, the minister ruled on the matter. The solution to this deep existential issue is, in fact, an employment incentive, so that all those who are not afraid to return to work can do so, knowing that the CERB is temporary.

Has the minister considered our thoughtful proposal?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, not only did we hear them loud and clear, but we also fully understood the proposals from all members of the House, including those from the Bloc Québécois, of course. We are very open. We know that much work still needs to be done, despite the emergency wage subsidy and the temporary wage supplement for lower income essential workers, which we announced to support the provinces. We are making $3 billion available to the provinces to help raise the wages of workers in essential services.

We feel that all of that, including the wage subsidy and other measures, will help to foster economic recovery. We will, however, remain focused on worker health and safety.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

I felt a little emotional when I read a letter in which the government acknowledged the Bloc Québécois' role in many of the measures implemented. We would like to keep up that momentum so we can reach an agreement on Monday. Indeed, if we do not get a serious answer, we will not come to an agreement on Monday.

I repeat my question: yes or no, have you thought about the 50% of earnings over $1,000? It will matter on Monday.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Please provide a brief answer, Minister.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The answer is that we are listening to all members of the House, including members of the Bloc Québécois, as well as to all business, social and community groups, who are sharing their suggestions with us.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable member for Thérèse-De Blainville has the floor.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

On Monday, April 20, we passed some motions. One of them read as follows:e) the government ensure that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) are offered in a manner that meets their objective while encouraging employment in all circumstances;

A student who works 18 hours a week at minimum wage will make the same income as one who works 43 hours a week, also at minimum wage. Which option do you think students will choose?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

This allows me to focus on the fate of our young people. I am an economist. Many economists have studied the impact of economic crises on young people and youth. The impact is terrible. Current conditions in Canada may have an extraordinarily damaging effect on academic retention rates for these students, on their future, on their careers and on their wage progression.

This financial assistance is important, not only because it provides income support, but also because it can help them, as far as possible, to find a job. It could be part-time employment, an internship or volunteer work.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Madam Chair, I have no doubt that they care about students and young people. However, they could add about $1,000 in income to the Canada emergency student benefit, which is about $1,250 a month and which came into effect Friday. Part of that goes to support the student and part of it helps him or her to earn an income.

The issue is clear. As I said in the House on April 20, we currently have an all-or-nothing policy. Those who make $1,001 lose the student support they need. That was why we tabled our proposal, our motion.

Can we make this much-needed measure into an incentive to employment? In its current form, its effect is to discourage. Where, when and how can we make it into an incentive?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, the member is absolutely right. There are two parts to this assistance: $1,250 for the student and up to $2,000 for those with a disability or a dependent. Employed students can keep up to $1,000 of the CESB.

In addition, we announced 70,000 jobs under Canada Summer Jobs, for which the conditions have been relaxed. Finally, 116,000 jobs will be available so that young people can continue to flourish.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Madam Chair, everyone reads the news and recognizes that we will have a recovery and a transition.

Some employers offer work for two days a week that may result in someone earning $1,000 a month. However, due to the recovery, employers may ask staff to work overtime or an extra day or two.

The government needs to realize what a dilemma that puts these individuals in. They will have to choose between helping out at work and losing the CESB’s $1,250. That was the reason for the motion and we want answers about it.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, it is very important that we discuss the situation for young people. Six million Canadians have lost their jobs or a large part of their income in the past few weeks. Many of them are young people. In Quebec, the youth unemployment rate is currently 34%. Before the crisis, it was 9%.

In Canada, 2.1 million post-secondary students are going to have a lot of trouble finding work in the coming weeks. We need to help them out so that, after the crisis, they can help us to reopen the economy.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The member has 25 seconds left.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Madam Chair, the government is not answering the question.

Everybody wants to help out young people. However, if the government does not adopt the motion, it is not helping them, it is hurting them.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The Minister has 10 seconds to answer the question.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, we will always be happy to work with opposition members because we know that this issue is of concern to us all.