Mr. Chair, applicants to the regional relief and recovery fund program in Atlantic Canada are to receive help through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. They are required to attest that they've applied to other government programs before being deemed eligible for support.
Let's think of what that means. It means that they are required to have applied for a program even if they know they do not qualify. Even if they have been told by their accountant or their lawyer that they do not qualify, they are being told that they must attest to having applied for one of these other programs. This means they are applying for a program like CERB, CEBA, or the wage subsidy even if they know they are not eligible.
Is it the government's intention to have small business owners apply for programs they know they are not eligible for in order to receive support from Canada's regional development agencies like ACOA?