COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 16th, 2020

[Bardish Chagger, Liberal, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth]

Mr. Chair, since our government took office in 2015, we have been making investments and working with communities. The difference between our government and the previous government is that we will actually consult with Canadians, including black Canadians, including Asian Canadians, to respond to the challenges, including with an anti-racism secretariat and an anti-racism strategy.

It will take all of us. I appreciate the member's question, so that we can also work together.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, one business owner I know in Markham has operated for 20 years. Now she's looking at over $9,000 in rent due on June 24. COVID-19 has crippled her sales and she's going to go out of business. Her landlord has no interest in the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program.

How can the government say this program is working?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Chair, this program was made possible by working with the provinces, and we will continue to encourage landlords and tenants to work together to make sure they have relief for this very difficult time in which they're living. We're continuing to monitor the CECRA program and we will make it possible for businesses to have access to the program.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, the government business rent relief program has been a total disaster. Even the government's own numbers show it is a failure. As of June 8, less than 2% of the $3 billion budgeted has been spent.

What is it going to take for the government to admit that the program is a disaster and needs changes?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Chair, we know our government has been working closely with the provinces and territories to deliver the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance. Although the tenant-landlord relationship is ultimately the responsibility of the provinces and territories, our government has stepped up to provide support through the tools we have and through CMHC so that small businesses can get the rent relief they need.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, according to the government, there are around 1.1 million small businesses in Canada. At committee, we were told only around 5,500 of them are receiving COVID-19 rent relief. That number is shameful.

When will the Liberal government wake up and make the changes?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Chair, we welcome the steps some provinces and territories have taken to further protect commercial tenants. We will continue to monitor this program closely and ensure that Canada's small businesses are supported during this challenging time. We will continue to monitor to see—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll go back to Mr. Saroya.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, there was no answer.

When can the government make these changes?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Chair, I want to assure the honourable colleague that we are doing everything and will continue to do everything to help small businesses in our country.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, on May 27 the CBSA seized 65 small handguns at Pearson airport, the largest firearms seizure on record. It is clear that smuggled handguns are the weapon of choice for criminals. Why is the Prime Minister focusing on an ineffective municipal ban?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Chair, I would point out that gun violence in any of our communities is unacceptable, and it's important that governments and communities take steps to prevent guns from getting into the hands of criminals. That's why we do important work at our border to keep guns from being smuggled into our country, but it also necessitates additional work. I don't think you can talk about gun violence without talking about stronger gun control. That's why our government has taken a very strong position and will strengthen gun control to keep Canadians safe.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Saroya, you may have a 10-second question, if that's possible, please.

[Bob Saroya, Conservative, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Chair, COVID-19 has not stopped gun violence in the GTA. My constituents are concerned about shootings minutes away from their homes. We know the Liberals' gun ban won't change anything, but a focus on smuggled guns and criminals will. When will they make that change?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Chair, stronger gun control laws are an effective tool, and that's been told to us by police leadership and communities across the country.

We're also making investments in borders and law enforcement. Most importantly, we're making investments in communities and in kids to keep communities safe. I look forward to the member's strong support of those measures when we bring them forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll now go to Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Chair, the U.S. and the U.K. began their second round of free trade negotiations yesterday. Does the government intend to have a trade agreement in place before the U.K. tariffs come into effect on January 1?

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

Mr. Chair, the U.K. is a strong partner of Canada, as is the European Union, and we're looking forward to continuing that strong relationship—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll now go back to Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

With respect to the negotiations with the U.K., when will the minister publish her goals and objectives for this agreement?

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

Mr. Chair, we're going to continue to work to ensure that any future agreement is going to be based on the best interests of Canadians, and we will—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will go back to Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Can the minister confirm whether they've entered into negotiations with the U.K. at this point?

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

Our government is analyzing the most-favoured-nation tariff regimes schedule the U.K. has put out. I want to assure Canadians—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We'll go back to Mr. Hoback.