COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 1st, 2020

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, we're making sure that they have the same access to programs through the regional development agencies as there is through the seafood stabilization fund. We're making sure that everyone who is in need of support through the programs will be able to access it.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

According to Stats Canada, before my granddaughter turns one year old, her share of the federal debt will be over $39,000.

What is Minister Morneau's fiscal plan for Canada so that the interest on this debt doesn't cripple Canada with higher taxes?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, we realize that it's always important to be responsible from a fiscal standpoint. We believe that the responsible approach today is to make investments to support Canadians and to support businesses. In that way we can have jobs and we can get through this pandemic and have a strong economy and be able to continue with our approach to managing our economy in a responsible—

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We'll go back to Mr. Epp.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Minister, when can Parliament, or this semblance of it, see that plan for economic prosperity?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I would like to remind honourable members to direct their questions through the Chair.

The honourable minister may reply.

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We've been quite clear that we need to be transparent on a daily basis by giving Canadians an understanding of the investments that we're making through this pandemic. Once the situation is more stable economically, we will certainly be coming forward with a broader plan.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Chair, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said three months before the pandemic that this current government's level of spending and incurring of debt is untenable and that future generations, like my granddaughter, will have to pay for it.

How much more debt is the minister planning to incur?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, coming into this pandemic in a strong fiscal position with the lowest amount of debt among the G7 countries is a function of our economy that's afforded us the opportunity to invest on behalf of Canadians. We will continue to take that approach. We believe that's the responsible thing to do through the course of this challenge.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

What is the budget for stopping illegal American guns from getting through our borders?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Chair, I thank the member for the question.

I can tell you that we have invested considerable amounts of money and have earmarked ongoing monies to ensure that we address the issue of illegal guns passing across the border. We realize—

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We'll go back to Mr. Epp.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

What's the budget, then, to fight government-trained and licensed Canadians in the court challenge that's now been triggered?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We will go to the honourable minister.

We're not getting any audio.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. Could I have some more time, please?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Yes. We're just going to hold time here momentarily, Mr. Epp.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

I apologize, Mr. Chair.

Could I ask for the question to be repeated, please?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Mr. Epp, what is your question again?

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

What is the budget for fighting the government-trained and licensed people who are now triggering a lawsuit against your order in council?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, I don't have the answer to that question, but obviously the government will defend its position.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Chair, COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem of this government's policy of spending the cupboards bare in good times instead of planning for a rainy day—and folks, we're in a storm.

Unlike this government, municipalities cannot by law say “put it on the tab” for the next generation. The balanced budget requirements force them to choose between slashed services and drastic tax hikes. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities says they need $10 billion in targeted emergency operating funding, so do municipalities slash services, do they raise taxes, or will we be there for the municipalities?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Our government absolutely understands the crucial role municipalities play as the engine of our economy at all times, and particularly today, as in many parts of the country we are looking to restart the economy. That is why the Prime Minister announced just this morning that we will be accelerating payments under the gas tax fund. Municipalities will receive the full amount of their 2020-21 payment on June 10. This will help them with some of their near-term liquidity issues.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We're now going to Mr. Manly, the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith.

Mr. Manly, go ahead.

[Paul Manly, Green, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program is not helping enough small businesses. Many landlords do not want to take part in the program. Small businesses are requesting that they be able to apply without the landlord's participation. Many small businesses do not meet the 70% income-loss threshold. Many did their best to keep employees engaged and tried hard to not lose clients, as the government urged them to do. They are, in fact, being penalized for that effort. Thousands of business owners across the country will not be able to pay their rent today and risk closing permanently.

Will the government push the provinces to include an eviction moratorium during the pandemic and make this commercial rent assistance program more flexible to ensure small businesses can survive?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank the honourable member for the question, which recognizes the very serious challenge that many small businesses are facing during the course of this pandemic.

We know that the programs we've put forward, programs like the emergency business account, are supporting businesses, but the emergency rent approach, on which we've worked together with provinces, can also help significantly. We are seeing a significant number of landlords and tenants coming forward with this and taking this up. I would encourage landlords to use this program, which is supporting them.

Of course, the suggestion from the member that provinces take action in restricting evictions is one that I've been speaking about to ministers of finance from the provinces over the course of the last couple of months. This is an area of provincial jurisdiction. We are supportive and working hard to make sure this program works.