Evidence of meeting #6 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 seniors.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

The honourable Minister has the floor.

I would also like to remind members to ask their questions through the Chair

12:55 p.m.

Toronto Centre Ontario

Liberal

Bill Morneau LiberalMinister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We know that our approach has to help small and medium-size companies, but also large companies in order to provide a bridge to the end of the crisis. In our opinion, that is very important. It will protect the jobs of Canadians and the future of our economy. That's why the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility is very important. That said, we know that it is necessary and important to impose conditions. Yes, we do want to make sure that the facility is available for companies that are going to continue to support our economy, to protect their employees, and to make a significant contribution to our communities. That is why we have attached a number of major conditions to our approach. We will have more details on the subject in the coming days.

We established from the outset that we had to impose conditions on executive compensation. That is very important. We are going to consider the rules and conditions that are needed in order for the facility to be available to the companies, the operations and the employees. Of course, conditions are required to ensure that the facility is available for operations, not for dividends or share buybacks, for example. We will impose conditions of that kind. We also want to make sure that we are aware of the situation the companies are in. For example, we want to be sure that they are not engaged in tax evasion.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

We'll now go on to Ms. Sgro.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the opportunity.

I will be sharing my time with the member for Kings—Hants.

Canadian seniors are worried about COVID-19. In my own riding of Humber River—Black Creek, 30% of the population are 65 or older. We know they are one of the highest risk populations. During this time, their costs have gone up. They have had to spend extra on medication and grocery delivery, as many cannot leave their homes. I have also heard of many seniors who are facing extra dispensing fees. These costs all add up, and many seniors were already carefully budgeting before the pandemic.

It is so important that our government be there to support them. Can the minister please tell us what our government is doing to ensure that vulnerable seniors get the support they need during this very difficult time?

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota

The honourable minister.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Deb Schulte Liberal King—Vaughan, ON

My colleague is right. Seniors have faced increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our government today has responded to that with additional action. We announced a one-time, tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for OAS and an additional $200 for seniors eligible for GIS. This means there will be up to $500 for the most vulnerable seniors to help them with their financial security to get through this challenging time.

Beyond this, we announced $20 million to expand the new horizons for seniors program to kick-start initiatives and services that will help seniors—for example, to get grocery deliveries right to their door and to stay connected. We've worked tirelessly on this as well as on other recent measures like the GST credit to help the most vulnerable seniors.

Thank you to my colleague for her advocacy.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

You have 30 seconds left, Ms. Sgro.

Go ahead with a short question and a response.

1 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro Liberal Humber River—Black Creek, ON

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I want to applaud the minister for that work. I know she's been working extremely hard to make sure that we get some additional announcements over and above all of the ones we have already made, so congratulations. Keep up the work. You know there is lots more we want to do.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

Please give a short response.

Go ahead.

1 p.m.

Liberal

Deb Schulte Liberal King—Vaughan, ON

Thank you very much to my honourable colleague for her advocacy. Thanks for everyone's advocacy.

Seniors across the country have been communicating with us and letting us know their needs, and we have been responding.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

Now I'll go over to Mr. Blois.

Go ahead.

1 p.m.

Liberal

Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It's always a privilege to have a chance to speak on issues that matter to Canadians, whether it's from the floor of the House of Commons or, indeed, from my house here in Nova Scotia. It's great to see everyone across the country.

Like my colleagues, I'd like to thank the staff of the House of Commons for their continued work to make sure that we have this forum to be able to continue the democratic process. I would also quickly like to thank my staff both here locally in Kings—Hants and in Ottawa for their continued work for my constituents.

Mr. Chair, my question through you is to the minister of agriculture.

In Kings—Hants, agriculture is an important economic driver for our economy. We have the greatest concentration of agriculture producers east of Montreal. From our beef industry to our wine industry and everything in-between, it is extremely important. We have the Kentville Research and Development Centre and the Hants County agricultural exhibition, the longest-standing exhibition in North America.

We know that COVID-19 has had impacts on the agriculture industry to differing degrees. In particular, Kings—Hants is home to an important dairy sector. We also have a growing and important horticulture sector.

Can the minister specifically provide an update to the House on the measures our government has taken on those two particular commodity groups that are so important in my riding?

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

The honourable minister.

1 p.m.

Liberal

Marie-Claude Bibeau Liberal Compton—Stanstead, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We are targeting support to some of the most critical challenges facing the food supply chain. Last Tuesday I was proud to announce our emergency processing fund for a total of $77.5 million, $50 million for the surplus food program and $125 million through AgriRecovery to support our beef and pork producers.

Concerning the dairy sector in particular, I'm hopeful that tomorrow we will get the support of all of the parties to be able to respond to their request for an increase in their loan capacity from $300 million to $500 million.

I would like to encourage all farmers to apply to the business risk management programs, including AgriStability, for which we have improved some of the mechanisms.

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

We'll go on with questions, but I'll also just ask Mr. Blois to excuse me for mispronouncing his name.

Let's go now to Mr. Masse for Windsor West.

Go ahead, Mr. Masse.

1 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Michigan has become an epicentre of the outbreak. The city of Detroit alone has more deaths than the entire province of Ontario. The border communities of Sarnia and Windsor have higher per capita infection rates than the rest of the province.

Next week, the border restrictions between the U.S. and Canada expire. With the premiers of B.C., Quebec and Ontario opposing the opening of the border at this time, will the restrictions be extended, or is the Prime Minister discussing changing the restrictions?

1 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

The honourable minister.

1 p.m.

University—Rosedale Ontario

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Let me assure the honourable member that, first and foremost, all decisions about Canada's border are taken by Canadians and with the health and safety of Canadians first and foremost in mind. When it comes to the current agreement's coming up next week, we are in very close conversations with Americans about next steps.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

What changes are on the table?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

Let me just be clear that I didn't speak about any changes; I spoke about a very collaborative conversation with our American neighbours about next steps.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Are you discussing any changes to the current status right now?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

I found during the NAFTA negotiations that negotiations are best not conducted in public, but let me just assure Canadians that the health and safety of Canadians is first and foremost. Our government is taking a cautious approach, and we're working effectively.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

This is not negotiation. This is whether there are changes on the table. What are they?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON

Let me just say that I think the honourable member was actually seeking to know what exactly is being discussed with our American partners. Let me just say that we are taking a very cautious approach to the health and safety of Canadians. A very collaborative discussion is happening.

1:05 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Will more information be shared between your government and the American government on Canadians and Americans crossing the border on both sides?