COVID-19 Pandemic Committee on May 19th, 2020

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

With regard to provincial jurisdiction, the office of Quebec's finance minister, Éric Girard, doesn't agree with the Prime Minister. The office says that the federal government announced the program and that the CMHC is entirely responsible for running it. The program as it stands has no provincial component at all.

The Association Restauration Québec surveyed its members. Two-thirds of its members said that they were very or extremely worried about paying their rent, suppliers and employees in the coming weeks. According to the survey, fewer than one in four restaurant owners have managed to apply for rent assistance. The association is asking for a real commercial rent payment program.

What will the Prime Minister do?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Since the start, we've been implementing programs to help workers, small businesses, Canadians and families facing terrible challenges during this crisis.

As the situation changes and as we understand where improvements are needed, we've been improving the programs. We're working on a mechanism for property owners without mortgages, for example, and on the eligibility of small businesses. We'll work with the property owners as well.

We acknowledge that we still have more to do, and we'll be there for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Ste-Marie, please ask your question in 30 seconds or less.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

The fixed costs for SMEs far exceed the rental payments for a whole host of economic sectors. Examples include hotels and hair salons, along with zoological gardens.

How will the government address fixed costs for SMEs in addition to providing rent support?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The right honourable Prime Minister has 30 seconds.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

This morning, we announced an expansion of the $40,000 loan program for small businesses that didn't qualify for the program.

Small businesses with contract employees or small businesses where the owner is also the sole employee can now access the $40,000 loan to help them cover their fixed costs.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The next question goes to Mr. Julian.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Canadians are suffering during this pandemic, but some very wealthy are profiting. During World War II, there were laws against profiteering, but this government seems to be providing incentives for profiteering. First, we talk about the corporate bailout program, LEEFF. It is open to companies that use tax havens, which is over 90% of Canada's largest publicly traded companies.

Why didn't this government shut the door to LEEFF to all companies that use tax havens?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Chair, as a government, we have increased substantially the resources available to Revenue Canada to go after tax avoidance and tax evasion in the billions of dollars. We will continue to do exactly that. We have no patience for those who don't pay their fair share of taxes as a government or as a country.

At the same time, we need to make sure that we are supporting workers across the country, whether they work for large companies or not. Perhaps the NDP is willing to put aside the tens of thousands of workers in 90% of Canada's largest companies, but we are not. We will continue to be there for Canadians.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Chair, not a single company listed in the Panama papers or the Paradise papers and not a single company involved in the Isle of Man scam have ever been charged with, let alone convicted of, tax evasion. They can all get the Prime Minister's corporate bailout.

Demark, France and other countries have banned tax-haven companies from getting bailouts. Why hasn't this government done the same?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Chair, as a government, we have taken very seriously the responsibility of cracking down on tax avoidance and tax evasion and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. If the NDP really wants to continue on this approach, they should start naming companies that they feel should not be eligible and explain to their workers why they don't qualify for the help that other Canadians get.

We need to work first and foremost on supporting workers, but if the NDP wants to start listing companies whose workers shouldn't be helped, please go ahead.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Other countries have done it and the Prime Minister, with respect, should be doing the same thing.

There are the big banks as well. In the last economic crisis, the Harper government gave over $69 billion in largesse as the banks racked up over $27 billion in profits over the same period. Now this government is going even further, approving up to $150 billion in support to Canada's big banks. The banks can and do impose penalty fees and interest on any deferrals they approve, and they are benefiting from near-zero Bank of Canada rates.

The government has tools to cut the banks' profiteering, why don't they use them?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Again, Mr. Chair, we see the NDP being long on rhetoric and attacks but short on specifics. They will not name the companies where they don't think employees should be getting benefits like other Canadians because of the companies they work for. I'm still waiting for the NDP to start naming companies that shouldn't receive the LEEFF.

On the other side, we will continue to work with the banks, which have made strong measures to support Canadians and will be doing more in the coming months. We know that we need to work together to get through this and that businesses, large and small, are part of the solution in this country. We will keep working with them for the benefit of all Canadians.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Mr. Chair, they haven't used a single tool. People should come before profiteering. It's time the Prime Minister understood this.

Amazon is owned by the world's richest man, who's made an estimated $30 billion off the backs of Amazon workers during this pandemic. Amazon has announced it's cutting wages at the end of this month. Amazon is on the dirty-dozen list of most dangerous employers. Instead of defending workers, this government is helping Amazon with public money. This government has given Amazon a sweetheart contract to take over from our post office and our federal emergency warehouses.

Why support Amazon's profiteering with public funds?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

We know how important it is to get personal protective equipment out to places across the country that need it quickly and urgently. That is why we're working with Amazon Canada as a distribution space.

Perhaps the NDP is suggesting that Amazon Canada employees shouldn't be receiving benefits from the government. We think that employees, regardless of the companies they work for, large or small, should be getting the help they need. We're ensuring that the help that goes to companies goes directly to employees. Those are the things, with the wage subsidy and others, that we are focused on to make sure that Canada can come back strong, both health-wise and economy-wise, once this is through.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Rayes, it's your turn. You have the floor.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer expressed concern about the lack of a budget plan from the government.

Does the government plan to table an economic update or a budget by the end of June, yes or no?

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The right honourable Prime Minister has the floor.

Rather, the honourable minister has the floor.

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the member for his question.

Of course, we must be transparent with Canadians. We've explained all our measures and the approximate cost of the measures.

We'll continue to use the transparency approach. When the situation is more stable, we'll have the opportunity to better explain the future of our fiscal situation.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Chair, I hope that the time taken to choose the person who would answer me will be taken into account in the calculation of my speaking time.

I'll repeat my question for the minister. If he can't table a full budget, what's stopping him from providing an economic update?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, as I said, we know that we must be transparent. That's why we provided the information to the committees, to Parliament and, of course, to Canadians.

We'll continue to use our approach, and when we have a somewhat more stable economic situation—

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Mr. Rayes, you have the floor again.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

I'll ask a simple question. Will we have an economic update by the end of June, yes or no?

[Bill Morneau, Liberal, Toronto Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, when the economic situation is more stable, we'll have more to say.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

The government announces billions of dollars in spending every day without any accountability. I want to point this out.

Can the Prime Minister tell us when we can return to the House of Commons in a small group and in accordance with the guidelines of the Public Health Agency of Canada so that democracy can be properly exercised?