Thank you very much.
Evidence of meeting #29 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was need.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #29 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was need.
A recording is available from Parliament.
7 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thanks very much.
My last question is for Ms. Noble and Mr. Roma. Thank you for representing parks and recreation sectors across the country.
In my cities of New Westminster and Burnaby, the recreation facilities have been turned over to assist with the growing homelessness crisis. The Bill Copeland arena in Burnaby is now a homeless shelter. In New Westminster, right across from the local civic arena, we also have a new homeless shelter that was put into place. We're trying to use those facilities.
It strikes me, in addition to what you're requesting, that applying the wage subsidy to municipalities would make a big difference. If the wage subsidy applied to cities, towns and villages so that parks and recreation facilities could be financed, would that make a difference?
7 p.m.
Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
Thanks, Mr. Julian.
Yes, one challenge is that there has not been programming named to date that municipalities can tap into. That's just one example. Yes, for sure, it would be helpful. They're not able to tap into that. Folks have been laid off, not to mention that students won't be hired. That creates a scenario where it's going to take that much longer to get up and running. When the restrictions are lifted, I think the public—parents, seniors—is going to be very interested to get back into sport in their communities. The scenario of municipalities not qualifying for it just makes that process slower for us to get rolling when the time comes.
7 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Thank you.
I do have one question for Food Processors of Canada.
Denise, you are a big part of the economy and a key cog, if I could put it that way, in the food supply chain. You mentioned the expenses of the processing plants for PPE.
In your remarks, you talked about the need for liquidity. Actually, I think you were saying it goes beyond your own food processors, up the supply chain, in terms of the capital, so you would have some assurances that you'd be paid for the products you sell further up the food chain. Do you want to expand on that a little bit? It's a big system. Expand on that, if you could.
7 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Food Processors of Canada
Sure, and thank you very much for that question.
Currently, we're seeing a shortening of payment terms being requested across the board, especially in the food distribution side of the business. A lot of businesses are moving to cash on delivery, or COD. We know this is really challenging if you can't generate cash and you can't access loans in a crisis.
What we're trying to do is inject working capital where we think it can do the most good in the total supply chain. I'm not asking for, with respect to liquidity, a direct ask for food processors, but where the working capital is badly needed which is in independent restaurants.
You're absolutely right that, in injecting working capital there, we are going to help a lot of small business owners. A lot of these businesses are very relevant in their small communities, but in turn, what it's doing is shoring up our receivables so that we don't have to use COD terms to ensure that we get paid.
Again, we've taken a complete and total supply chain view. This is one link in the important food chain that we think we can remedy to ensure we don't have food shortages. As well, we are calling out the warning for severe price inflation if we don't start to remedy this.
Thank you.
7:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Thank you for that, Ms. Allen.
We've had quite a mix of presentations across the panel. I think it shows how complicated the economy is and how it works. There are so many component parts.
I want to thank all the witnesses for making their presentations, for diligently answering our questions and for their interest in today's panel.
With that, committee members, I guess we'll see you in Parliament tomorrow, but in any case, we'll see you at finance committee again on Thursday.
The meeting is adjourned.