Evidence of meeting #16 for COVID-19 Pandemic in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Chair, we have worked with the provinces and territories to respond to the crisis from the beginning. We've increased health transfers, provided medical protective equipment and responded to all requests for assistance. It is because of this co-operation that we've been able to make so much progress in the fight against COVID-19.
Creating a fake squabble between the federal government and Quebec during a pandemic isn't a good way to score points.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
We'll now pause for a moment to allow the console operators to switch out in safety.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Thank you.
We're now going to Ms. Sidhu from Brampton South.
Ms. Sidhu, go ahead.
Liberal
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm going to be sharing my time with the member from Kingston and the Islands.
My question is to the Minister of Seniors.
No Canadian should have to choose between putting food on the table, filling their prescriptions or paying their bills. During COVID-19, seniors in my riding of Brampton South have faced many challenges, especially those in long-term care homes.
One long-term care home in my riding has 86 COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths. Furthermore, in Brampton, the median age of those hospitalized from this virus is 73. Regardless of where they live, seniors are facing health, economic and social challenges. It is very clear that seniors, particularly, are feeling the impact of COVID-19. It is essential that we take care of the most vulnerable members of our communities and ensure they're able to get through these challenging times.
Canada's seniors built this country and it is our responsibility to work with the provinces and territories to ensure seniors get the care they deserve from coast to coast to coast.
Mr. Chair, can the Minister of Seniors please update the House on how the federal government is helping seniors directly address the increased financial pressure and how the minister is collaborating with provincial and territorial counterparts on seniors' issues?
Liberal
Deb Schulte Liberal King—Vaughan, ON
Mr. Chair, I'd like to thank the honourable member from Brampton South for her question and her advocacy for seniors in her community. The stories we are hearing are tragic and our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones in the long-term care system.
The Government of Canada is doing our part to help by providing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, by buying personal protective equipment, helping top up the wages of low-income workers, and sending in the Canadian Forces to help.
We will continue to work together with provinces and territories to address the pressing needs in the long-term care system.
We also recognize seniors' financial challenges. Seniors in Brampton South and all across Canada are staying safe at home because of their increased risk of the virus, but that has made life more difficult and more expensive for seniors. Groceries are more costly and deliveries are coming at a premium. Prescription dispensing fees have increased because of the new 30-day limits in some provinces. We're helping millions of seniors during the pandemic with a tax-free payment to those on OAS and GIS, which is coming soon. Together with the GST credit payment that came in April, a low-income senior couple on GIS will be receiving over $1,500 in direct financial support.
Our government is working hard to help seniors during this difficult time.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The surge of online misinformation regarding COVID-19 has been termed an “infodemic” by the WHO. While we know that physical distancing is important to keep Canadians safe, we must also be mindful of the importance of sharing reliable, trustworthy information. Not only is it integral to the health of one another but also the health of our democracy.
While the Internet can support democracy, bad actors can use the Internet to undermine and interfere with it. Malicious actors are, right now, attempting to erode democratic institutions through the spread of malicious falsehoods that create confusion, sow division and cause harm.
My question is for the President of the Queen's Privy Council. Could he please tell us how the government is working to protect our democratic institutions?
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB
Mr. Chair, as colleagues will know, ahead of the 2019 election, our government took decisive action to protect and uphold democratic institutions from interference. Now, with the increasing presence of the Internet in our lives, we recognize that we must be proactive in the fight against cyber-threats and the need to build an Internet of trust in the face of an issue that ignores borders.
We're adopting an approach that works with states, businesses and communities, allowing us to remain at the global forefront of new developments in emerging threats and best practices. That's why our government has decided to take a leading role on principle three of the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace to address the threats endangering citizens and our infrastructure and keep our democracy resilient.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be sharing my time with the member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
Today, we heard from the Prime Minister again. There have been questions asking the Prime Minister when he will make good on his promises to Canadians, and Canadians have, once again, been told that it is their lot to wait.
Millions of people impacted by COVID-19 have been forgotten by this government, and people with disabilities are now facing new challenges in increased costs just to survive. It's been 12 weeks since this pandemic began, five weeks since this House unanimously passed our motion to act “without delay”.
Why is this government still making people with disabilities wait for the help they so desperately need?
Liberal
Carla Qualtrough Liberal Delta, BC
From the beginning, people with disabilities have absolutely been at the heart of our decisions, and we've put a disability inclusion lens on our government measures in response to COVID-19. That's, in great part, due to the passing of our historic Accessible Canada Act, and I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy National AccessAbility Week.
As both the Prime Minister and I have said, I can assure every Canadian that, before this week is done, they will have news they will take very positively.
Take care.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Chair, last week and just now, the minister said that, “We are three days away from National AccessAbility Week, the first week after we legislated it in the Accessible Canada Act. I would expect something from our government during that week.”
Has the government been holding back supports for people living with disabilities so they could time an announcement to make a splash?
Liberal
Carla Qualtrough Liberal Delta, BC
Mr. Chair, absolutely not. In fact, we've been working very hard with our disability advisory group to ensure that what we do announce and the support we do provide to Canadians with disabilities is exactly what is needed and targeted at the people who need it most.
I'll remind everyone that we put in force an extra $750 per month for students with disabilities, and Canadians with disabilities have access to the CERB. We are investing in a number of ways, of course, through the GST increase that disproportionately benefits—
Conservative
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Chair, people living with disabilities are not publicity tools. If the minister denies that this is what they are doing, then what is the excuse for their long delay on their promise?
Liberal
Carla Qualtrough Liberal Delta, BC
Mr. Chair, as someone with a disability, I take great offence that we would do that. We certainly haven't. We are working very hard to provide for everyone, including people with disabilities. I regret, of course, that it's taken as long as it has, but we are not leaving anybody behind.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
We'll go to Mr. Julian, New Westminster—Burnaby.
Mr. Julian, go ahead.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Mr. Chair, people with disabilities are the poorest of the poor in this country, and making them wait is simply despicable; but there's one group that doesn't have to wait for COVID relief, and that's Canada's major banks.
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has revealed that the sum total of supports for the big banks is now at an astounding $750 billion, and yet banks continue to gouge Canadians and small businesses as they impose massive fees and penalties. Why does this government allow them to act with impunity?
Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance
Mr. Chair, we continue to support Canadians. One of the ways we're working to support Canadians is to make sure that they have access to loans. Of course, that means we need to work with banks, push banks to do the right thing in using the liquidity available to them to get credit out into the markets to Canadians, to Canadian businesses.
We will continue to work with them. We will continue to make sure that they help their customers, their clients, so we can all get through this crisis and get to a better economy afterwards.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
A few weeks ago the finance minister promised to keep the banks' feet to the fire. Instead, it turns out this government just wants to give bankers a warm foot massage. These banks have recorded $5 billion in profits during this crisis so far while small businesses close forever. While Canadians struggle to put food on the table, this government is letting the banks make a fortune from the misfortune of Canadians.
Why hasn't the government used its powers to stop banks from profiting from this crisis? Why isn't it stopping the penalties, the fees, and high interest charges on mortgages, credit cards and lines of credit as Canadians struggle to survive this pandemic?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, we know that one of the things we can do in order to ensure Canadians get through this time is to help them in working with their banks. That's one of the reasons we've worked hard to make sure that banks will actually have deferrals on mortgages. There are a very large number of Canadians who have deferred their mortgage during this time.
We have also worked with the banks to make sure they reduce their credit card fees for Canadians who are struggling to pay those credit card rates, and they have reduced them by half in most cases.
We will continue to push banks, keep their feet to the fire as the member mentioned, and we will continue to support Canadians not only through direct payments to individuals and to businesses, but also to ensure they can get access to credit through their bank or through their financial institution so they can get through a challenging time.
Conservative
Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Canadians need some good news. Hockey is our national pastime and something that unites Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
The NHL is considering three Canadian cities to host the playoff games. The Quarantine Act might prevent these games from happening.
What is the Prime Minister doing to ensure that at least one Canadian city gets to host the NHL?
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would agree with the member opposite that we're all looking forward to resuming our favourite pastime, which is watching the NHL. I will tell you right now that the Public Health Agency of Canada has been working very closely with the NHL to understand what their plan is, to make sure they protect the players, to make sure they protect the staff that support the players, and to understand how we can work as a country to protect the communities in which they may locate.
I look forward to having more to say about that in the near future.