COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 15th, 2020

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Canadians and Quebeckers also know that the Government of Quebec will table its economic update this week. Why isn't the federal government doing the same?

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

Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to explain to hon. members and to Canadians what the government is doing for the economy—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We return to Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, it is a real pleasure for me to explain to the minister and everybody in the House of Commons that today the Saskatchewan government will table its economic update. Why can't Ottawa do that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable Deputy Prime Minister.

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

Mr. Chair, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share with Canadians what our government is doing to support workers, businesses and the economy.

Eight million Canadians have received the CERB, essential support for Canadian workers and their families.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll now go back to Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, 11 days ago the Newfoundland government tabled its own economic update. We see governments acting correctly for their people, except for the Liberal government, which cannot table an economic update.

When will the Liberal government table an economic update, which Canadians would like to see?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable Deputy Prime Minister.

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

Mr. Chair, I am delighted to share with the member opposite and with Canadians what we are doing practically that has meaning for Canadians.

Let me talk about what we are doing for Canadian businesses. Nearly 670,000 Canadian businesses have received support—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll go back to Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

In Canada, the Quebec government will table its economic update this week. The Saskatchewan government tabled its economic update today. The Newfoundland government has tabled its economic update. Everybody is working hard in Canada, and the business community would like to know where the Liberal government is going.

The question is crystal clear. When will the Liberal government table an economic update?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The honourable Deputy Prime Minister.

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

Mr. Chair, Canadian workers and Canadian businesses want to know that our government is here to support them. I have shared with this House our support for Canadian workers through the CERB. I've spoken about the CEBA, and let me point out that more than $26 billion of support has been given through that essential program.

Let me talk about the wage subsidy. More than 2.6 million—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll return to Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, this is starting to get interesting; the minister is revealing some of these expenses.

Could the minister tell us how much the government has spent in the last three months?

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

Mr. Chair, I will continue in French by explaining what our government is doing for Canadians and workers—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Chair, this is a little bit concerning for all Canadians, because this government cannot say when they will table the economic update, cannot identify how much money they have spent in the last three months and cannot say what is the deficit of Canada.

Is somebody in this government running this country correctly?

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

Mr. Chair, absolutely we are running this country, and we are supporting our economy. In fact, we appreciate that Canada currently is experiencing its greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. That is why we have devoted nearly 11% of GDP to support Canadian workers and Canadian businesses.

I want to assure Canadians—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll now continue with Ms. Normandin.

Ms. Normandin, you have the floor.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, there are times when Quebec and the provinces are not just two solitudes, but they get along and speak as one, such as when the time comes to tell the government to mind its own business.

On reading section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which sets out the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, nowhere do I find that the federal government must meddle by attaching conditions to health transfers.

It is Quebec and the provinces that hire the medical personnel, doctors, nurses and caretakers. It is Quebec and the provinces that are responsible for purchasing the necessary equipment. It is Quebec and the provinces that know what is happening on the ground and what their needs are.

Will the government do the only thing within its authority, which is to take the cheque, sign it and put it in the mail?

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

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

We fully understand the importance of federal support for the provinces, especially in our national fight against the coronavirus.

I agree with the hon. member that we must give financial support to the provinces, including Quebec absolutely. I would also like to point out the importance of the support of the Canadian Armed Forces, who are doing an important and excellent job in Quebec and Ontario today, right now.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Chair, I am glad to see that there is recognition of the importance of transferring this money. My question is whether it can be transferred unconditionally; that's what I'm asking.

There's a state of emergency. In the past, we have seen that it takes a long time to negotiate conditions with the federal government. We saw it in the case of the Quebec City tramway, and we are still seeing it now in the case of transfers for housing in Quebec, for which there is no agreement and, therefore, no transfer of money.

Will the federal government send the money free of conditions?

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

Mr. Chair, the hon. member said in her first question that the only thing the federal government had to do on health care was to sign the cheques. I can't agree because, today, at this time, at the request of the Premier of Quebec, the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces are in Quebec today; they're there to save the lives of seniors—