Evidence of meeting #27 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was stores.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
We have seen that the CERB has possibly had a rather negative effect on low-paid workers, in the sense of their interest in being able to work or not work in the grocery stores.
Do you think that extending the CERB once again, could have a negative effect on the interest in working in the industry? Would you not have preferred employment incentives, such as the government increasing wages by means of a premium for essential workers?
Director of Communications and Public Affairs (Quebec), Teamsters Canada
Yes, a premium for essential workers is required. In addition, companies must assume their responsibilities and put more money on the table for the workers, so that those who are risking their lives every day can continue to work with fewer financial troubles.
There, you get it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Thank you very much.
Our last round goes to MP Masse. You have two and a half minutes.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Let's put some context to this.
When COVID-19 hit, grocery store chains remained open. Their closest competitors were restaurants, bars and other food services, which were closed altogether. Then they temporarily reopened with new structural models that today are still somewhat restricted, so government policy actually changed the business model in favour of the chains. That's just the reality of what it is.
I worked extensively to try to get credit card rates lowered, and some of that was done. Some of the telcos stepped up, providing freer services or expanded services. Even Lowe's is continuing with its $2 pay increase.
If grocery store chains make record profits off this situation, they deserve a special corner in hell for it, because the most stressful thing for people is to get food and sustenance and to have that security. Think back to those months when people were worried about getting into a grocery store in their neighbourhoods, about losing bus service and reduced public transportation and all of those basic supports. We even saw a run on toilet paper.
Mr. Dias, I'll start with you in regard to this aspect, since you mentioned it. Do you believe that grocery store chains are making record profits during this time and are expanding their business models at an advantage because of government policy? I'm not faulting what we did and how it was done, but it has led, in my opinion, to a net benefit for them. I think this might be true for their bottom line as well.
National President, Unifor
I see a difference between the CERB and the pandemic pay. There's no question in my mind that one of the reasons that employers gave the two bucks was the potential of the CERB.
However, I agree with the CERB. There are some pieces of it that I think need to be fixed, but a lot of low-wage earners who work in restaurants, a lot of the most vulnerable in our society, need it to get through the pandemic, so I don't second-guess that decision. What I do second-guess is what they did.
We know that 80% of all grocery store workers in Newfoundland make less than $15 an hour, so we know the CERB has been about a 20%-plus pay increase during this time period. The question is—
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I only have a few seconds, so I'd like to get something on the record. Do you think that the workers you represent who are working in the chains are making more money during COVID-19? I'd like a quick answer from everybody.
National President, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada
I believe that they are, but I believe that the CERB is absolutely necessary—
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Yes, absolutely, I agree on the CERB.
Mr. Lacroix, would you comment?
Director of Communications and Public Affairs (Quebec), Teamsters Canada
The answer is just one word: yes
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
That is all the time we have today. I'd like to thank our witnesses for being with us today, and we look forward to hearing from the representatives of the grocery chains on Friday.
With that, this meeting is adjourned.