Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I thank you for the work you are doing.
I know that since you took on this role, you've made it a priority to speak with your workplace health and safety counterparts, including your Quebec counterpart.
This situation is worrisome. There is a lot of talk about how we've had to adjust and implement programs in response to the crisis that hit us all on March 13. I'd like to talk to you about the concerns of two categories of workers. There may be more, but I'd like to discuss two categories in particular.
I'll start with the tourism industry. This industry will be hit hard during and after the crisis. In Quebec, we're talking about 400,000 jobs. I imagine that number is much higher when you add in the rest of Canada.
I've spoken to stakeholders in this industry, and as you know, their revenues are earned within a short period, but their expenses go on all year. They are worried that the recovery will be slow. The tourism industry has some specific demands. One demand is that it wants the government to consider expanding the 75% wage subsidy over a longer period.
Could workers in this seasonal industry be considered permanent workers for an entire year?
These are issues of concern. I'd like to know how you're working with the other departments. I know that the Minister of Labour works with the Department of Employment and Social Development and, as I was told earlier, the Department of Finance.
How are you working together on these issues?