Very good.
Let's talk specifically about the CEBA, or the Canada emergency business account. For those watching me or hearing the excellent interpretation provided to us, this program provided interest-free loans of $40,000 to $60,000 to over 900,000 small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations. The government has lent more than $49 billion through this program.
In recent weeks, thousands of businesses have been asked to pay back the full amount, including a grant they are expecting to receive by December 31, 2023. Because the EDC is not intended to interact with the public, these businesses are unable to get answers about the rejections, submit another document, or simply talk to someone. That's because the EDC doesn't have a customer service department or a department tasked with providing that type of service.
Why was the EDC entrusted with this program?