Debates of July 8th, 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is simple. Yes, we are considering all the options when it comes to standing up for human rights. As I said to the member many times, and I welcome him, we should speak with one voice. This is not a political issue. This is about fundamental values and principles that Canadians who are watching from home share with us. There are no politics in that. Canada will stand up and speak up for human rights around the world.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Calgary Rocky Ridge.

Will the fiscal snapshot include specific funds for the energy and resource sector, yes or no?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, today's snapshot will present the investments that our government has made since the beginning of the pandemic.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, will the fiscal snapshot include what funds will be allocated for businesses that use personal chequing accounts and want to apply for the CEBA program?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today's snapshot will present the investments we have made with the economic response plan. We will present the numbers, the amounts for CEBA, the CERB and the different investments that—

[The Speaker, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Edmonton Centre.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, will the fiscal snapshot indicate if the wage subsidy program can be extended within the budget allotment?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning, our government has acted promptly and decisively to make sure we are supporting Canadians, workers, businesses, non-profit organizations and vulnerable—

[The Speaker, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Edmonton Centre.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what percentage of the trillion dollars' worth of debt is termed out over two years?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, our government acted decisively and promptly to make sure we supported Canadians, workers and businesses. We will present—

[The Speaker, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Edmonton Centre.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, my province has announced a recovery plan. On what date can we expect a recovery plan from the government, including a comprehensive fiscal update?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the situation continues to be very volatile, our government is committed to continuing to be transparent with Canadians about what we know and what we do not know.

[James Cumming, Conservative, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we are all here today, and the government claims accountability.

Why on earth would the finance minister schedule the fiscal snapshot for after question period?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I invite the hon. member to stay this afternoon, as the Minister of Finance will be presenting the economic snapshot.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the only explanation for doing it after and not before is to avoid actually taking questions on the update.

Maybe this minister can tell us how much interest Canadians are going to have to pay to service the debt, which is expected to hit a trillion dollars before the end of the year.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, going into the global pandemic, Canada was in a great position to deploy its fiscal firepower to protect Canadians, and we have. A worst-case scenario for Canadians and the economy would have been to not act.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, that is not true. Before COVID hit, the government's track record of mismanagement compromised our ability and fiscal capacity to deal with the crisis. The government inherited a balanced budget, a near-full-employment economy and a AAA credit rating, and has squandered all of it.

Will this minister tell us what the cost is to service Canada's debt?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the pandemic, Canada was well positioned to use its financial power to protect Canadians, and that is what we did. Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan involves giving workers and Canadians the financial support they need to get through this crisis.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, how much will the downgrade of Canada's credit rating add to our cost to service debt?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the crisis, we have been clear and transparent with Canadians. We will continue to be and we will support Canadians during the crisis.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what about a further downgrade?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's sound fiscal position means that we can continue to support Canadians.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General tabled only three reports. Typically in a session they would table seven or eight.

When will the government fully fund the Auditor General so the Auditor General can do her job?