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, the first thing I would say is this is not about support two months from now. This is about support really quickly.
The second thing I would say specifically to the Conservatives is that it is time for them to choose a lane. They need to decide whether they think we need to be offering meaningful support to Canadian businesses, as the questions I am getting now suggest, or whether their preoccupation is with debt and deficits. Pick a lane.
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Madam Chair, my lane is with Canadian businesses and I hope that the government will also do so. It is not about WE Charity. It is not about people like Mr. Silver and all of those things. It is about Canadian businesses and people losing their jobs across Canada. It is not about the friends and relatives of the Prime Minister. It is not about the friends of the Liberal government.
This said, I would like to know what I should tell the residents in Elgin—Middlesex—London, who know nobody because they are just average Canadians, who are losing their businesses today? What do I tell them when the government is saying we are here already? This program was already gone a month ago, so Liberals are late to the ball game. I am wondering what we tell businesses that are going out of business because the government has not been there.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I would tell them that it is not about what interest rates were in the 1990s, which seems to be the obsession of the member's caucus colleague. I would urge the members on the Conservative benches to really reflect on what they care about. Is it supporting Canadian businesses or is it debt?
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, the wage subsidy bill this past spring did not list political parties.
A number of parties, including the Liberal Party, chose to give it a shot, and the Canada Revenue Agency chose to pay. However, the wage subsidy is meant to help businesses offset the loss in revenue as a result of the crisis. It is not meant to line the pockets of a political party that has raised nearly $9 million so far this year.
Does the government think that the taxes and collective debt of Quebeckers and Canadians should be funding millionaire political parties like the Liberal Party?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Madam Chair, I thank the member for his question.
The wage subsidy is designed to help employers protect the jobs that Canadians depend on and to rehire workers who have already been laid off. This support applies to employers of all sizes in all sectors, including not-for-profit organizations that have been hit hard by COVID-19.
To date, more than 3.8 million employees across the country are being supported by the wage subsidy. It is an important program—
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, sometimes it is easier to not answer the question.
We proposed an amendment to the bill to exclude political parties from applying for the subsidy. Does the government support this principle?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, as I said, this program was created to help a large number of businesses and organizations across the country.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, as I said, the purpose of the program is to help many businesses.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, will the Liberal Party commit to paying back all the money it received through the wage subsidy?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I might add that the Liberal Party stopped accepting the wage subsidy at the end of August.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, that is a step in the right direction. We will see what happens next.
Does the government think it displayed exemplary behaviour and the highest ethical standards by taking more than $1.2 million from the wage subsidy from March to August, when it has raised nearly $9 million in political contributions so far this year?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I thank the member once again for the question.
I know the member is very familiar with the wage subsidy program. As I have already explained, this program was created to help many businesses and organizations in Canada.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, the original bill did not list political parties.
When there were discussions with the former finance minister and his staff, and when we met in committee of the whole in this place, there was never any question of political parties being eligible. In my view, that does not reflect the spirit of the bill.
Yes, community-based organizations should be eligible. However, is the Liberal Party, which has raised $9 million so far this year—and the year is not even over—a community organization, or is it a political party, a money-making machine, a machine that awards contracts to its friends? That is what we have seen in recent months.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I thank the member for his question.
I know that the member is very familiar with the wage subsidy and that he knows that this program was created for all of Canada, for all businesses, big or small, and for not-for-profit organizations. That was the purpose of the program, that is what the program did and that is what it will continue to do.
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Madam Chair, they received $1.2 million in wage subsidies, which enabled them to raise $9 million.
Ultimately, this $1.2 million will be used for the next election campaign. When this money is spent, the Liberal Party will get a 50% refund, or $600,000. Thus, the Liberal Party will receive $2 million thanks to the Canada emergency wage subsidy, even though it is a millionaire party that does not need this money.
Does the government agree with this practice, or does it have any regrets?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I have no regrets about the wage subsidy. It is an excellent program that has helped many Canadians and Quebeckers.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, I know the minister knows my riding well. Too many businesses in my riding of Edmonton Strathcona were locked out of the rent subsidy program because their landlords refused to apply. Some of them have gone out of business as a result, but others are still hanging on by a thread.
Will you allow those businesses still hanging on to apply to recover the rent subsidy funds that they were denied under the CECRA program?
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
I want to remind the member that she is to address questions and comments to the Chair.
The hon. minister.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Madam Chair, I did go to high school in the excellent riding of Edmonton Strathcona.
We absolutely know that there are businesses across the country that need support. That is why we are discussing tonight strong programs to support Canadian businesses, rent support of up to 90% if a business is subject to local lockdown.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, will she make it retroactive until April?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, as the member opposite knows, the program is retroactive to September 27. It is a good question, but our focus is on tomorrow.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Madam Chair, will companies that have locked out their workers be able to access the wage subsidy? Would you consider changing the criteria to ensure the program is not enabling employers to pay for replacement labour?