Evidence of meeting #4 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 crisis.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

We know that we're currently going through an unprecedented crisis. We want to support workers, and we're doing so through the Canada emergency wage subsidy. The subsidy is designed to help Canadians pay their bills, keep their jobs and get through this crisis.

If a business that avoids paying taxes gets caught, it must face the full force of the law. The business may be deemed ineligible for federal emergency programs. The government will target the decision-makers, whether they be the executives, board of directors or shareholders.

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

I can see that the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity is reading the responses prepared for her colleague from national revenue. We aren't out of the woods yet. I'd like the responses to be as long as the questions.

Let me start again. What's non-aggressive tax avoidance?

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

I just want to take my few remaining seconds to say that we're currently focusing on workers.

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

The government doesn't seem to have a definition of what constitutes non-aggressive or aggressive tax avoidance. That's my understanding.

I'll ask another very simple question. Why can Denmark say that it will give money only to the people who have paid their fair share of taxes? Why can Denmark do this? Why is Poland doing this? Why are France and other countries doing this? Simply put, why isn't the Government of Canada doing this? The logic is simple. The people who don't pay their taxes shouldn't receive any assistance.

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Since we were elected to form the government in 2015, we've invested billions of dollars to fight tax evasion. We'll continue to crack down on tax cheats in Canada and abroad because this issue is a priority for our government.

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

The results show that the government isn't able to do this. Yet it's simple. The people who don't pay their taxes shouldn't receive any assistance from the government. Even my dog would understand this.

I'll ask my question again. Why doesn't the government make sure that the people who fail to pay their taxes don't receive any assistance?

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Once again, I want to remind my colleague that, since 2015, we've been making historic investments in the Canada Revenue Agency to ensure that we have the necessary tools to catch offenders and bring them to justice. There are 50 international tax evasion investigations under way. I also want to reiterate that we're in a time of crisis and that we'll be focusing our efforts on workers.

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

We know that we're in a time of crisis and that the Liberals are providing over $150 billion in assistance, since we've given our approval for this assistance.

However, now that we're in a time of crisis, why aren't the Liberals choosing to give money to the people who have paid their share? Can the minister stop reading the responses prepared for the Minister of National Revenue? I don't read. I speak from the heart. I want the minister to do the same and to answer the question. Why doesn't the government take the same approach as Denmark, France and Poland? These countries are fiscally virtuous.

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

We're currently focusing on workers. The Canada emergency wage subsidy covers 75% of wages and helps pay workers. We want workers to be able to keep their jobs and we want to protect their jobs. We'll continue to focus our efforts on supporting workers.

2:50 p.m.

Bloc

Alain Therrien Bloc La Prairie, QC

Does the government think that Denmark isn't taking care of its workers? Denmark is a social democratic country and one of the most virtuous countries in the world.

The minister will say that Denmark isn't taking care of its workers, but that the Liberals are taking care of workers by letting people who don't pay their share receive taxpayer dollars from people who do pay their share. That's what she's saying. She defends—

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

Unfortunately, we don't have enough time for the minister to respond.

We'll move on to Mr. Martel.

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, businesses that give their employees T4A slips, which are T4 slips for self-employed workers, still don't have access to the Canada emergency business account, even though they meet all the criteria.

When will these businesses receive support?

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Madam Chair, as I've been saying all along, we have put programs in place to help small and medium-sized businesses. This includes the $40,000 loan to help them pay their bills. We will continue to ensure that these entrepreneurs have access to this loan.

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, seniors have yet to receive any assistance from the federal government. Yet the COVID-19 crisis is driving up prices and creating additional expenses for seniors, including grocery delivery costs.

How does the government intend to help those who helped build our country?

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Deb Schulte Liberal King—Vaughan, ON

Madam Chair, I do, again, want to assure Canadians that seniors are top of mind for this government.

We have implemented many measures to support them financially. One is the GST credit, a supplementary payment for low- and modest-income seniors. We have reduced the minimum withdrawals from RRIFs by 25%. We have also put in $9 million and are pivoting another $50 million to the new horizons for seniors program to help seniors directly with supports in their own communities.

We will have more to say on this matter soon.

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, those who have exhausted their weeks of employment insurance for long-term illness and whose eligibility period is still open should receive the Canada emergency response benefit instead of regular EI benefits.

Does the government intend to correct this inequality?

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec, QC

Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his interest in this issue, which is extraordinarily important.

A few weeks ago, we realized that the employment insurance system, which was created in the context of the Second World War, was totally inadequate to take care of people in a crisis situation like this one. We announced parameters for all those who have lost almost everything so that they can make ends meet and get through the crisis. We are talking about 7.5 million people. There are a variety of conditions and I will be happy to talk about them in detail if my colleague so wishes.

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, we parliamentarians must respond to our citizens on a daily basis. Measures have been put in place by Service Canada to provide us with better support. At the Canada Revenue Agency, things are more difficult, particularly because the parliamentary line has been closed.

Is the Canada Revenue Agency planning to better equip parliamentarians in a timely manner?

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Madam Chair, I would like to thank my honourable colleague for sharing this reality that affects his region.

I'll talk to the Minister of National Revenue. We want to ensure that we continue to provide services to Canadians, as we should.

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, Canada's emergency commercial rent assistance may not necessarily achieve its objective. In fact, many landlords will not agree to reduce their rents by 25% and take on the extra paperwork. It is likely that the government will have to force landlords to comply.

Could there be other ways to help the commercial tenants?

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Madam Chair, as I said earlier, we recognize the challenges facing Canadian businesses and owners. We have reached an agreement with the provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for Small Businesses program. This support is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in cooperation with the provinces and territories. We will provide refundable loans to commercial landlords who, in turn, will reduce their tenants' rent by 75%. We encourage landlords to continue to provide these services and support.

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

Mr. Martel, you have 10 seconds to ask your question if you want an answer.

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Madam Chair, Canada's emergency commercial rent assistance unfortunately does not include outdoor businesses that rent land for commercial activities during the summer, such as mountain biking centres.

Will the owners of these leased lands be eligible for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance?

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes

Madam Minister, you have ten seconds at your disposal to answer that question.

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Madam Chair, given that brief timespan for my answer, I will check and convey that information to my colleague.