Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the participants in today's meeting.
It's heartbreaking to hear this testimony. In my riding in Vimy, Laval, there are many small and mid-sized businesses, predominantly restaurants. I am the daughter of a former restaurant owner, so I've lived it. I know exactly what the challenges are and what it takes, and it breaks my heart to see how many small businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, are suffering.
I have a question for Ms. Abou-Dib.
In the riding of Vimy is the headquarters of Teamsters Canada. I saw the building being built not too far from my office, and I was proud to see your building go up in my riding.
Ms. Abou-Dib, your president, Mr. Laporte, in response to the fall economic statement, said that the federal government is “dead serious about supporting working-class and middle-class Canadians” and that “continued government spending will be the only thing keeping millions...from total ruin”.
How would you respond to criticism from the opposition suggesting that the federal government should ease its emergency spending, and what specific elements of the FES demonstrate a commitment to ensuring continued support for Canadian workers and families?