Thanks so much, Mr. Chair. No, that indeed was not me.
I just want to start off by saying thanks to all the presenters, everyone who has come today. I'm listening to not only the initial presentations but also the conversations. They've made me, even more than ever, appreciate the leadership of our federal government and what it has had to do over the last three weeks. It's been extraordinary. It's also made me appreciate even more fully the job we have ahead of us.
I will just recap what we've done over the last two and a half to three weeks. We've introduced the Canada emergency response benefit, which is going to be up and running and taking full applications beginning April 6, this upcoming Monday. We've introduced the largest, historically speaking, support program for Canadians ever, the Canada emergency wage subsidy, which our Minister of Finance has let us know he is hoping will be up and running in three weeks. I know that six weeks has been thrown around, but I know that our civil service is working 24-7 to try to get that up and running sooner. We've also introduced the Canada emergency business account, through which our small-businesses will be able to access $40,000 in interest-free loans.
I don't want to throw out an amount just in case I have forgotten the exact amount, but we've put money into our economy, into our banking sector, to ensure that we have stability in our economy and banking sector. Today we announced $100 million in initiatives for our shelters and for food security. We are providing support for our seniors through the United Way, making sure that Meals on Wheels continues, and providing additional support for those seniors in isolation; and we are providing additional dollars for Kids Help Phone.
It's quite extraordinary what we've been able to do, and yet I know that we have to do so much more and that it will take our very best ideas to craft a path moving forward. It's going to take all of us to ensure that we come out in a way that is going to make us stronger at the end.
So my question is a general one. Mr. Cooper started asking this, and I want to continue. Our Prime Minister is constantly saying that he is absolutely always in touch with G7 leaders. He also talks about being in touch with the G20 leaders. Of course he had a telephone meeting with all the premiers and territorial leaders last night. I think we're always looking for the best ideas.
Countries around the world are grappling with finding the best ways to provide additional supports. Is there any idea that the U.K., Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan or any other country in the world right now is adopting that you think maybe we should be looking at but haven't looked at?
I'll start with Mr. Thibault of the Association Hôtellerie Québec and then go through the other presenters. Has there been any idea introduced out there that we haven't thought of but that you think we should be adopting?