Minister, I just want to start off by saying a heartfelt thanks to you and your team. I can only imagine the around-the-clock, non-stop work that has transpired over the last two to three weeks, so a huge thanks to you.
I know that our government has aimed at going as fast as possible and not for perfection. I think Canadians understand this, because we have to do it. The pandemic, as you mentioned, is unprecedented in our history. It required fast action on our part. Literally, in the days after the pandemic was declared, Canadians were losing their jobs and their incomes. Many small businesses had to shut down. I just want to let you know that I'm very proud of the huge and, indeed, historic economic supports we have announced. I know that we worked as fast as we could.
As many other MPs right across the country are in touch with their local leaders, I've been in touch with leaders and residents in my riding of Davenport. While they're very worried about the current situation, the vast majority of those I've talked to are very happy with the measures.
I will say to you, though, that there are a few groups that are asking for some additional supports or feel there are some rules that might be in their way in terms of applying.
The first of these groups are contract workers or those who work in the gig economy. Some of them really want to keep some tiny contracts so that when they actually eventually come out of this crisis they might continue to have some of that business. Some others of those within this group find the 14-day rule of earning no income difficult. Once they wait for 14 days of earning no income and then they apply, they still have to wait a certain period of time before actually getting a first paycheque.
That's the first group. I'll talk about the second group and then I'll ask my question.
The second group is renters. I'm very blessed to live in downtown west Toronto, but the rents are very expensive here. For those who are individually renting places, the $2,000 goes a long way, but it just covers their rental costs and not very much more. They're wondering if there could be some additional supports for them. The part B of renters are small business owners, whose rents tend to be, in my area, around $7,000 to $10,000 a month. With no income coming in, and even with the measures that we've introduced, they wonder if they'll actually be able to survive these next two to four months.
My question to you, Minister, is this. How would you respond to them? Are we also looking at providing some additional supports?
I'll leave it at that.