Madam Chair, I thank the minister for her answers.
Once again, we in the Bloc Québécois expect a formal commitment from the government to be prepared to step in and amend by regulation the parameters of the upcoming bills passed to support the sectors most affected. As a society we cannot afford to turn our backs on them. The purpose of assistance programs is to collectively support these strategic industries so that they can get through the pandemic. That is really important to us.
Now I would like to point to another situation. Since the summer, we have all heard from seniors in our ridings who are experiencing really terrible financial hardship. Some are in disastrous situations, for example working seniors who receive the guaranteed income supplement. When the pandemic kit, those who had to stop working were told to apply for the CERB. However, the benefits they receive are taken into account in the calculation of the guaranteed income supplement they are entitled to. The government is telling them that they received too much money, that either they pay it back or their guaranteed income supplement will be clawed back.
Among the points I would like to raise, I wish to touch on three issues concerning the Canada emergency response benefit and the guaranteed income supplement for seniors. First, the Bloc Québécois is asking that CERB payments be considered employment income for the purposes of calculating the GIS, so that recipients are not penalized as much. Otherwise, seniors will fall well below the poverty line and will be unable to make ends meet. The criteria were poorly explained, which has caused a lot of problems.
Second, the guaranteed income supplement should be recalculated immediately, regardless of whether seniors dealt with Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency. At first, depending on the agency, applications could not be made. Now, any applications are systematically rejected, as though by a computer.
Third, it should be possible to make repayments over three years, rather than over the current year. Some seniors earning $1,500 a month have to pay back $800 or $900 a month, which leaves them with just $600 to cover rent and living expenses. That is an impossible situation.
Is the government committed to correcting this injustice? If so, how, and when?