Thank you so much, Chair. It's nice to see you again, Minister.
Campaign 2000 has been calling for repayment amnesty for low-income individuals who received the CERB since last July. The recommendation was submitted to this committee, and most recently, a parliamentary petition was launched. They are calling for a human rights-based approach towards all who have access to emergency benefits in order to cover basic expenses at a time of heightened need.
We know that the cost, for example, for families who were living on EIA and who have children increased just because kids were at home all day—for example, food costs, hydro costs and water costs. These recommendations call specifically for repayment amnesty based on annual total income and family size, and for an end to calls for penalization for anyone who received CERB and is now deemed ineligible.
You've been clear in prior committees that when the CERB rolled out, instructions weren't clear. I think your government has demonstrated that, in terms of rolling back some of the penalties it's already discussed. Is your government willing to provide CERB repayment amnesty for low-income individuals who received the CERB, including youth aging out of care?