House of Commons Hansard #27 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was ndp.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I certainly am and when it comes to offering forecasts, we were clear in the Speech from the Throne about that.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Madam Chair, will the minister commit to doing forecasting as opposed to what she has been saying for the last three hours. that she does not do hypotheticals, which are hypotheticals?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, we committed in the Speech from the Throne to offer detailed fiscal projections in the fall economic update and we will do that. We are not going to—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON
Madam Chair, will the minister commit to the debt-to-GDP ratio not increasing above 100%?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I was clear in my speech last week on our fiscal guide rail approach and fiscal anchor approach.
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, on May 14, I offered many different solutions to the old rent program. Could the Minister of Finance tell us today how many businesses were turned down under that old program?
Mary Ng LiberalMinister of Small Business
Madam Chair, it was wonderful to work with you as the critic. I think you will agree with me that what we have here as legislation really is responsive to those businesses—
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
Before I go to the hon. member, I want to remind the hon. minister that she is to address her questions through the Chair.
The hon. member.
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, how many businesses do we expect to apply under this new program?
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Madam Chair, every small business that is eligible should apply to this program.
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, under the design of this new program, did the department do a sectoral analysis before designing both these programs, the wage subsidy and the rental program?
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Madam Chair, today's legislation is about helping businesses continue to pay for payroll and to pay for that important fixed cost, including that lockdown support.
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, did the minister consult the provinces on a design of this new program?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Madam Chair, I am delighted to say that I had many conversations with provincial and territorial ministers of finance about this program and their comments were—
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, in designing this program, why did the minister select June 21 as the extension date?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, that is the date that is the extension date for the wage subsidy and it is important for the two programs—
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, does the minister expect the economy to be fully open by June 21?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, what I expect is that Canadian businesses and Canadians can now rest easy knowing we have programs in place until then.
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, would the minister agree that the private sector has taken the initiative through rapid testing, particularly in travel agencies doing some test cases, and that program should be expanded so that we can get people back to work?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I have huge respect for the private sector and I am so thrilled that so many Canadians are back at work, that 76% of Canadian jobs are back. I am grateful for all—
James Cumming Conservative Edmonton Centre, AB
Madam Chair, will the minister consider, instead of doing an economic update, doing a full budget this fall?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, we have been clear. We committed in the Speech from the Throne to do a fall economic update and that is what we are going to do.