Debates of May 26th, 2021

Finance—Main Estimates, 2021-22

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, some measures in the budget, such as the continued support of Mitacs, are continuations of and further investments in existing highly successful programs. I think that is the right approach to take, particularly in this urgent moment when we all need to devote our attention to the recovery. That is the approach we have been taking here, to take a program that is already working and to double down on it.

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

Madam Chair, she could just answer the question, which was on whether there was an open bid process. This was announced as a new program, so this was not a continuation of an existing government program.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, as I said, this is a tried, tested and well-known Canadian program. It is absolutely right in this budget, when we need to invest in innovation, to use systems that work.

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

Madam Chair, that is still not an answer.

Here is a new question. Typically a lender will require a business that owns property to have a separate company hold the land, particularly if there is a mortgage involved. The lender will insist on that. This creates a problem and makes it impossible for these businesses to qualify for the rent subsidy.

Has that problem, which has been well identified, been addressed or changed as part of these estimates or the BIA?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, the rent subsidy is one of the big success stories of our government's efforts to support Canadian businesses throughout the pandemic.

I will remind the member of how many businesses have been supported through that program. There are 182,000 businesses across the country that have benefited from the rent subsidy.

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

Madam Chair, it is a good thing the opposition was there to get them to make the changes that were necessary to actually create a successful program.

However, the minister still did not answer the question. Has the government fixed the problem under which a business cannot access the rent subsidy if they have their business separated into an operating and a holding company, which is required in any commercial financing?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I have a lot of respect for the member opposite, especially late at night, but he has to get his lines straight.

Either he can claim credit for the rent subsidy and say it is great, or he can criticize it. He cannot have it both ways.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, did the Minister of Finance personally approve abandoning sick people for one year by deferring until July 2022 the increase in EI sickness benefits to 26 weeks ?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Madam Chair, one of the elements of the budget is that EI sickness benefits will increase from the current 15 weeks to 26 weeks. That is a good thing.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, did the minister vote against the Émilie Sansfaçon bill this afternoon?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, yes, I voted with all my colleagues this afternoon.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, she voted against the bill.

Can the minister tell us what is the average duration of treatment for someone who has breast or colon cancer?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I will speak about my personal experience.

My mother died of cancer and, during the pandemic, my father had cancer. He is all right now.

I have personal experience with cancer, and that is why I supported increasing EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, my heart goes out to the minister.

Treatment for breast or colon cancer lasts 37 weeks. Why does the minister oppose 52 weeks of EI sickness benefits?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I think it is excellent that our government chose to increase EI benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks and—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, did the minister personally approve abandoning people between the ages of 65 and 75 in the last budget?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I would like to add something about the EI sickness benefits. The Conservatives need to pick a lane. On one hand the member asks questions about the debt, on the other he asks questions on the lack of programs. He has to—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, did the minister personally approve abandoning people between the ages of 65 and 75?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I am proud that our government kept its promise and increased the old age security pension for people 75 and up. That was one of our campaign promises.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, why are people between the ages of 65 and 75 being excluded from federal government assistance programs in the latest budget?

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Madam Chair, I rise on a point of order, as the English translation is not working.

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Interpretation is working now.

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, why did the minister personally support abandoning people between the ages of 65 and 75 in the last budget?