Finance Committee on May 14th, 2020

[Frank Vermaeten]

Certainly we can provide you with the distribution with respect to the wage subsidy, which is a program we administer, and the same thing with the CERB. We're certainly aware of that issue and trying to work with indigenous businesses to ensure that if they are eligible they can apply.

[Michael McLeod, Liberal, Northwest Territories, NT]

Okay. I'm not sure if you can answer this, but I want to talk about how the different regions are impacted by COVID. I think the federal government's economic recovery approach has to reflect existing regional distinctions.

In the north we've been very fortunate, especially in health impacts; right now we have no cases, but we do have existing costs of living, a large service area and infrastructure gaps.

I'm very keen to know whether the government is prepared to assist us in addressing some of these unique recovery challenges faced by all our northern territories. We've talked lots about greater flexibility and doing things differently, especially with cost-sharing projects or allocating recovery programs. We focused on a base plus per capita formula. That's not something we do across the board with all departments.

Should that be considered, in your opinion?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

I don't know who that could go to, maybe Suzy McDonald, somebody from finance, or Mr. Leswick. Somebody want to take a stab at that?

It relates to business and individuals in the north, which I've learned, Michael, is quite a different set-up from what we understand down here in what you call the south.

Suzy, do you want to give that a go? I see you're—

[Suzy McDonald, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance]

Perhaps I could start, and then perhaps my colleague Evelyn who deals with infrastructure might want to add something.

I think we're certainly very aware of the concerns and the particular needs of the north and northern communities, working closely with the territories to understand those needs. We're very aware that funding has been provided to Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut to support the COVID-19 health and social services preparations and response. Those funds are being delivered through CIRNAC and are expected to flow to the territories in the coming days. We're continuing to discuss their needs with the territories; continuing to provide funding on a regular basis through the territorial funding formula and making sure those funds continue to flow through these difficult times.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Ms. Dancey, do you want to step in?

[Evelyn Dancey, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Development and Corporate Finance Branch, Department of Finance]

Sure, simply to add appreciation for those thoughtful comments.

I share the view that an awful lot of learning and collaboration has come to the fore in the past few months and will endure through our stabilization and recovery. I think we will have a great interest in thinking about infrastructure, whether it's current programming done better or stimulus related, and thinking about how those funds can be best applied toward our next normal, the way you've highlighted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you.

We are over time. Some good thoughts there, Michael.

We'll turn to Mr. Ste-Marie and Mr. Julian. We have time to go to a five-minute round, fellows.

Gabriel, you're on.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My questions are for the representatives of Employment and Social Development Canada.

First, people whose EI benefits are running out are noticing that the criteria for the Canada emergency response benefit are a little vague.

Here's a quote from the information available online: “The date for which you would potentially become eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit would be the week following your last Employment Insurance benefit payment...You may not receive EI benefits and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for the same period.”

Can these people apply for the Canada emergency response benefit after a week? How does that square with the 14-day no-income requirement?

Does it mean that a person can't receive both EI and the CERB at the same time, or that they can't collect them both during an official CERB period, like the period from March 15 to April 11 or the period from April 12 to May 9?

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Who wants to take that on, Department of Employment and Social Development or CRA?

Go ahead, Mr. Ram.

[Elisha Ram, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

To be clear, one cannot receive the Canada emergency response benefit and EI benefit for the same week. The government has adjusted the eligibility rules for the emergency response benefit to allow it for people whose EI regular benefit claim has run out following the beginning of the COVID crisis, recognizing that in many cases people are not able to get back to work.

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

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Yes, go ahead Gabriel.

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

The interpreter is telling us that the sound quality isn't good enough for interpretation. I don't know if a colleague could answer for the witness or if there's a way to improve the sound quality.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Mr. Ram, is your Zoom channel on the same language that you're speaking?

Speak slowly and we'll give it another attempt.

[Elisha Ram]

Okay, my apologies. I will begin again.

I wanted to confirm for the honourable member that there is no ability to receive the emergency response benefit and the employment—

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

Mr. Chair, point of order.

The interpreter is saying that the sound quality still isn't good enough for interpretation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay. Is there anybody else who can take that question?

Maybe the technical people could look at Mr. Ram's set-up to see if we can get a question a little later.

Go to another question and maybe we can come back to that one, Mr. Ste-Marie.

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

If it's not possible during this meeting, I'd like to get a written answer to this question as soon as possible. I wrote to the Department of Finance over a week ago, and it referred my question to the Department of Employment and Social Development. I got an acknowledgment of receipt saying they would get back to me, but I'm still waiting for an answer.

My other questions are also for the Department of Employment and Social Development.

First, what's happening with the Bloc Québécois' proposal to incentivize work for workers and students who are getting emergency benefits, along the lines of the EI system, so that people can earn more than $1,000 a month without losing the whole benefit?

For instance, it was suggested that $0.50 be clawed back for every dollar earned over the $1,000 limit, like for EI.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Does somebody want to take that?

Mr. Ste-Marie, Mr. Ram has indicated by the shaking of his head that he will get a written answer to you on your first question. I don't know if he can give you a written answer on the second or not.

Okay, he'll give us a written answer on both, Gabriel. Do you have another quick question?

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

All right.

Could a student who's receiving the Canada emergency response benefit apply for the Canada emergency student benefit when their benefits run out?

[Cliff C. Groen]

I think Mr. Ram is better placed to answer that question. But he'll have to answer in writing, unfortunately.

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

Thank you.

I'll move on to my next question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

It will be your last one.

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

Okay.

Can a student who's receiving the Canada emergency student benefit get a job funded by Canada summer jobs if they earn less than $1,000 a month?

Since you've warned me that this was my last question, Mr. Chair, I'll wait for the written answers. I'm also going to email my questions to the department.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Okay. I don't see anyone up to answer that one.

There are about four questions there to be answered. Please send them to the clerk. That would likely be faster. He'll make sure they're in both languages and get them out as quickly as possible.

We'll turn to Mr. Julian for five minutes.

I'll give you the lineup for the next set of rounds: Mr. Cumming, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Cooper, Ms. Koutrakis.

Did you have a question, Elizabeth May? Put your hand up if you do.