COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on May 27th, 2020

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

So the minister confirms that the 100,000 people who arrived by air were providing a service considered essential to Canada. I'm not talking about the people who crossed the land border, but the people who came to Canada by air.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

What I can tell you is that at all points of entry, including our air borders, we apply the standard that the travel must be deemed essential, and that determination is utilized to see if a person is eligible to enter into the country.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

We're now learning that the Correctional Service of Canada's investigation into the murder of Marylène Levesque is suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Canadians aren't fooled; they know full well that it is a political decision. All the technological means are available to allow the investigation to continue. I'm proof of that today.

Can the minister direct the Correctional Service of Canada to resume the investigation into the death of Marylène Levesque?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Again, I thank the member for the question, because we know the concern of the people of Quebec, and the family of Ms. Levesque needs answers and deserves answers. That's why we asked the Parole Board and the Correctional Service of Canada to convene a board of investigation.

Clearly, during COVID transmission, the ability to conduct that investigation and to interview all of the witnesses became extremely difficult and has been temporarily suspended, but at the very earliest opportunity we remain resolute to resume that investigation and get to the bottom of it to provide the answers that the family deserves.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Mr. Paul-Hus, you have only 20 seconds remaining.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Chair, victims of crime are one of the segments of the population most affected by the crisis.

As we know, the government refuses to allow victims of crime to participate in parole hearings. For the first time in its history, and to add insult to injury, the government has cancelled all activities related to Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, which was to take place next week.

Why is the Prime Minister turning his back on victims?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Again, at the earliest days of COVID, until arrangements could be put in place, there were restrictions on victims participating. We have put the systems in place to allow victims to present their evidence virtually, either by video or by phone, to ensure that their voices are heard in these important things.

We very much respect and support the role of victims in these determinations, and we're making every effort to ensure that they can participate.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We'll now to Mr. Cumming, Edmonton Centre.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Chair, yesterday I asked the Minister of Small Business how many business credit availability guarantees were issued by EDC, and I didn't get a number.

Does she have an exact, finite, number of the guarantees today?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, thank you to the honourable member for that question.

Our government has taken swift and immediate action to support Canadian businesses through this time. Money from this program is flowing, and businesses across the country are receiving the important support that they need.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

How many BCAP applications have been received so far?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, these are large loans, and they require important due diligence and adjudication by the financial institutions. We will continue to be open and transparent as the accurate information becomes available.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

How long does it take to be approved for a BCAP guarantee?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I want to assure the member that we're going to do everything possible to support businesses and workers during this very important time.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

How many businesses have received funding under the BCAP co-lending program since March?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

The lending programs, particularly the program to help small businesses, have really helped lots of businesses. Over 630,000 loans have been issued, and this is really helping those—

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We go back to Mr. Cumming.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Unfortunately, “lots” is not an answer for the businesses that I'm trying to talk to.

Can you tell me, for the CEBA changes that were recently announced, when will we be able to see people who have income through a dividend able to apply?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

That's a very important question, Mr. Chair.

There's nothing more important to me and to our government than getting these supports out to businesses. Those small businesses that will meet the expanded CEBA criteria are working very diligently with the financial institutions to make sure that they can get access to those loans as quickly as possible.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Can the minister give me a day when that will happen?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

The financial institutions are working very hard to make sure that they can make this available to businesses.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

When will a sole proprietor be able to go for those loans?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

We will work very hard and very diligently to make sure that these businesses and those sole proprietors are supported.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Could they go on Monday?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

There is nothing more important than making sure these businesses weather the difficult time of COVID-19, and our measures are—