COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on June 17th, 2020

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Chair, when will that happen?

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

We're working as hard as we can and as fast as we can to make sure that those businesses are supported.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Chair, mental health, particularly rural mental health, was a challenge before COVID-19; it is now made all the worse by these events. While many mental health services have been shifted online, for those without reliable high-speed Internet, the feeling of isolation is made worse.

Over the past weekend, I spoke with a local farmer and advocate who had to drive off-site to participate in an online mental health forum to talk about seeking the same therapy that he couldn't access online. When will the government make meaningful improvements to rural Internet access so that Canadians have access to services they need?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development]

Mr. Chair, life during COVID is incredibly difficult for Canadians, and the lack of access to high-speed Internet makes it that much more difficult. We have been working since the beginning of our mandate to connect over a million households to high-speed Internet, but our work is not done. We are working to expedite our efforts to ensure that every Canadian has access to this essential service.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Chair, this Sunday is Father's Day. It's also a time when we recognize men's mental health, a cause for which my friend from Edmonton Riverbend has been an advocate for nearly a decade. Sadly, over 75% of deaths by suicide involve men, and far too many of these are young men. With the isolation caused by COVID-19, access to normal supports is limited. Gyms and fitness centres are closed, affecting both the physical and mental health of Canadians. Far too often, alcohol and drugs are seen as coping mechanisms.

What actions will the government take to support mental health services, and particularly access to addiction services, during this time?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Chair, I'm pleased but certainly affected by the question that I'm hearing. I would like to congratulate the member for raising this very difficult issue.

We are, of course, all mindful in this House of the particular difficulties that all Canadians go through, including men and fathers, and I would like to assure this House that we have done very significant things over the last few weeks, including implementing a $350-million community fund, making an investment to fight homelessness and an investment for provinces to provide mental health services, including helping provinces and territories pay for the essential front-line workers who are so key in those sorts of circumstances.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We will now continue with Mr. Bergeron.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Chair, the federal government is proposing to pay $14 billion to Quebec and the provinces to help them cover part of the costs incurred to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. We know that the governments of Quebec and the provinces need much more than that, but this money would still be welcome, if the federal government did not attach conditions to it.

Yesterday, when I asked the government to give this money with no strings attached, a comedian on the other side said that we were asking for a blank cheque. As if the federal government, which does not manage any hospitals, which does not manage any long-term care centres, which does not manage any day care centres, which does not manage any public transportation services, knew anything about that.

Could the federal government, which knows absolutely nothing about it, simply transfer the money to the governments of Quebec and the provinces, which do know about it and have sole jurisdiction in this matter?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank our colleague for raising this extraordinarily important issue.

Since the beginning of the crisis, we have worked very effectively with all the provinces, including Quebec, to support workers, of course, but also communities and cities, to support the essential and so important investments by the Government of Quebec in personal protective equipment and health care.

There is also the $500 million we announced from the outset to support front-line workers, who are so important in the delivery of physical and mental health services. We are going to continue to do so, because this is an extraordinarily important issue for all Quebeckers.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, this government is getting its own responsibilities mixed up, as we have seen with border management. At the beginning of the crisis, people were flooding into the country clearly at the borders, ports and airports. What did it take for the government to finally come to its senses and shut down the airports and the borders? The City of Montreal had to send people to the Montreal airport to hand out leaflets, because there were no border controls.

Instead of taking care of provincial and Quebec affairs, take care of your own affairs. Transfer the money without strings attached.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Chair, since the beginning of the crisis, the government has been shouldering its responsibilities regarding borders and has been working with all the provinces, including Quebec. Things are moving forward, and that is perhaps what is bothering the Bloc Québécois, which likes to bicker. When there is no bickering, it makes something up.

We are in dialogue with Quebec and all the provinces, and things are moving forward.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Just pay out the money and there will be no problem and no bickering.

Madam Chair, the federal government, which knows absolutely nothing about water systems and water treatment, cannot even provide indigenous people with drinking water.

How can it delay the payment of money owed to Quebec for water systems and drinking water infrastructure projects?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Madam Chair, I assume that the Bloc Québécois knows a lot about water systems and so on.

The Government of Canada works directly with the Government of Quebec every day. We are funding major projects throughout Quebec and we will continue to do so. We will always do what is best for all Quebeckers.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

It's all well and good to talk about it, but we need concrete action. The federal government is responsible for indigenous rights under its own Constitution.

What happened during the railway crisis? The government sat on its hands for weeks, asking the Government of Quebec to send the police to take down the barricades. Instead of looking after other people's jurisdictions, it should look after its own. Just transfer the money to the provinces and Quebec so that they can deal with the health crisis we are currently facing.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Madam Chair, the Bloc Québécois seems to want to play the role of spokesperson for the Government of Quebec. I can assure you right away that the Government of Quebec is playing its role very well and that it is communicating directly with us. We do not need the Bloc Québécois for us to come to an understanding with the Government of Quebec.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

You have 24 seconds left, Mr. Bergeron.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

If they didn't need us, things would be settled. The problem is that they keep messing around. Money is sitting in the federal coffers right now that should be paid out, particularly for housing. An amount of $1.4 billion is owed to Quebec for housing.

What are you waiting for to pay out that money?

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Mr. Rodriguez, please give a short answer.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

We are discussing the housing issue and all the other issues with Quebec. We are making progress with the Government of Quebec, to the great chagrin of the Bloc Québécois. We are here for Quebec.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Before we continue, let me remind honourable members to direct their questions through the chair.

We will go to the honourable member for Ottawa South, Mr. McGuinty.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I'll be sharing my time with the member for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne today.

My question is regarding the steps the government is currently taking to ensure that families, and especially families with young children, find themselves supported right now and as we go forward into the recovery phase of COVID-19.

I was pleased to see the government implement a one-time increase through the Canada child benefit by $300 per child, but I have heard from many parents in my own riding that they need additional support.

The government must continue working to support families in the future. We must ensure that parents receive income support and that they have access to affordable child care services. Not only are these the right measures to help families, but they’re also necessary to support Canada’s economic recovery.

My question is for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. Can he explain what the government does to support families through this difficult period?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Families]

Madam Chair, I would like to thank my honourable colleague for Ottawa-South for his important question and really hard work and advocacy on this really important issue.

Our government's message to families right now is very simple: We are here for you. That is why we have taken concrete action to support families and parents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, from CERB to the one-time increase to the Canada child benefit. However, we understand that families need more long-term support. That is why I am proud to announce that our government will be moving forward to increase the Canada child benefit once again, on July 20, to help families keep up with the cost of living.

We understand that Canada's economic recovery depends on parents with children being supported and being given the option to return to work. In addition to the increase to the Canada child benefit, we are moving forward with our promise and our commitment to provide an additional 250,000 affordable child care spaces.

Madam Chair, we are committed to being there for parents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond so that they can take care of themselves, their children and their families.

[The Acting Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The honourable member for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, Mrs. Romanado.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

While businesses in my riding of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne are beginning to safely resume their activities, it is obvious that the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has played an extremely important role in helping them weather the storm.

The Canada emergency response benefit ensured that citizens in my riding could count on a stable income even if their workplace was closed or if they lost their job due to COVID-19. The Canada emergency wage subsidy helped employers keep their staff on payroll even when their revenues disappeared. The Canada emergency business account ensures that small businesses in my community can continue to keep the lights on.

Madam Chair, now that people are beginning to head back to work and businesses are beginning to open their doors and serve customers, many are looking to the government for information on how our economy will look in the months to come.

Can the Minister of Finance please tell us when he will update this House on the state of the economy and Canada's fiscal position?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

I would like to thank the member for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne for her question and her hard work during this crisis.

Since the beginning of this crisis, we have obviously worked hard to protect the health of Canadians. With the best situation, from a fiscal standpoint, among G7 countries, and with the lowest debt as a function of our economy, we have also been able to deliver direct support of more than $150 billion to individuals and to businesses across the country to allow them to get through this period of crisis.

While the situation continues to be very volatile, and obviously it's difficult for us to know exactly what the future will bring in this sort of situation, we do realize that it's important for us to continue to be transparent with Canadians. That's why on July 8 our government will move forward to present an economic snapshot of our current situation to ensure that Canadians understand where we are and to help them have confidence in our future together.

Thank you, Madam Chair.