COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on May 21st, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Minister of Northern Affairs]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to begin by commending the Government of Nunavut for its hard work during this pandemic. I believe it's because of their hard work and their actions that we have not seen the same outbreak in Nunavut that other regions have seen.

I completely agree that the needs of Nunavut are unique, and that is why Nunavut has received over $30 million to address the immediate health, economic and transportation priorities related to COVID-19, as well as $5 million for air services.

The issue of water for Canadian citizens, north and south, Inuit and non-indigenous, is of tremendous importance to our government. We have committed to making sure that every Canadian, every Inuit citizen, every first nation and every Métis citizen has access to drinking water.

[Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Mr. Chair, I would also like to point out that the $30 million that was sent took over a month to actually get to the territory and it was $42 million that was requested, so it wasn't enough money and it took quite a while to get to the territory.

In my riding of Nunavut, airlines are the only way to get between communities and in and out of the territory. It's our transportation. It's our ambulance. It's our highways. Airlines serving Nunavut have committed to providing services as they can, but are facing a tremendously uncertain future without the normal commercial transportation their businesses are built around.

When is the federal government going to step up and make sure that remote communities across Nunavut still get the deliveries and the resources they need for the months to come?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We are very concerned, obviously, about ensuring that air travel to communities in the north is possible. That is why we worked with the Government of Nunavut to come to an agreement whereby we would transfer to them $5 million to ensure that Canadian North was able to provide the necessary services, not only to move people across the territory but also to ensure that essential cargo could be delivered.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Ms. Vignola.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, in a crisis, it is important to be able to cope, but also to prepare for the post-crisis period. In order to do so, it is essential to know where we stand at the moment, hence the importance of tabling an economic update.

Will the minister be tabling an economic update in June, as provided?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable minister can reply.

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, that is a very important question.

As you are aware, we have explained the measures and the costs of the measures transparently every day and every week. We also have to look to the future. To be sure, when the economic situation becomes more stable, we will—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Back to Ms. Vignola

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Are we going to have an economic update in June, as provided?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are assessing the situation. When the economic situation has become more stable, we will prepare an economic update.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, in order to be able to ensure economic stability, it is important to look to the future, and for that it is necessary to know where we stand now.

Are we going to have a full economic update in June, as provided?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, it is very important to have all the information we need for us to do our work. That is why we are going to prepare an economic update when the situation has become stable enough to make forecasts.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Okay!

Mr. Chair, what are the economic growth forecasts for the coming months?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, the situation is very unsettled because of the pandemic. It is therefore difficult to make accurate forecasts.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, I am going to switch to another question.

Does the minister have an economic recovery plan?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are working together towards a plan for Canadians and employers during the pandemic, and will give consideration to the next steps when the circumstances—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Back to you, Ms. Vignola.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

There is of course a plan during the pandemic, but what will happen after that? I am talking about economic recovery. Is there a plan? If so, can we see it?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we are working with all the MPs during the pandemic to ensure that we can examine the future steps that will lead to a more stable situation.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, the businesses are already prepared to contribute significantly to the economic recovery by creating quality jobs and skilled jobs. One such company is Chantier Davie here in the Quebec City area. Its reopening would lead to at least 3,000 jobs.

Is the minister going to miss the boat yet again or is there truly a recovery plan that includes Chantier Davie?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we know that we have to work with companies on an economic recovery plan. It's important to do so.

We are now assessing how we can protect employees and employers by coming up with a plan between now and the end of the crisis. This would ensure that our economy is in a good position for the recovery.

[Julie Vignola, Bloc, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Chair, I understand the need to protect people during the crisis. But to see the forest, you have to stand back from the trees. It's essential to anticipate and look to the future.

Hence my question: is there an economic recovery plan? Is there also an update with a view to implementing the plan?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we know that it is very important to review the next phases. That is why thePrime Minister mentioned last week that we would have to look into the possibility of granting the Wage subsidy until the end of August, while keeping an eye on its conditions and criteria. By doing so, we would be working to improve a situation that changes from month to month.

We will be providing more details soon.