Carla Qualtrough

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, June 3rd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure everyone in the House and all Canadians that we respect and understand the role that temporary foreign workers have played in ensuring our food security during this pandemic, and they deserve to be safe.

We are ensuring employers are preparing to safely welcome and quarantine workers. We are ensuring employers meet quarantine program obligations. We are improving the tip line to provide services in multiple languages. We are providing direct assistance to workers. We are also responding quickly to emerging issues.

This is an example of a program where we are working hand in hand with Quebec to ensure that employers and, in particular, agriculture employers get the workers they need in Quebec.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, June 3rd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of temporary foreign workers for our producers and our food processors. We are working tirelessly to ensure that temporary foreign workers can arrive safely in Canada, by supporting employers with additional costs incurred to accommodate the isolation period.

All federal departments involved in this program have worked together to simplify processes. I have worked hand in hand with my counterpart in Quebec, Mr. Boulet, and we are working very hard together. We understand the importance of these workers to our food security.

[Employment Insurance, May 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, that is a really important question. We know that individuals want to work, and we have been there through a variety of emergency and recovery benefits to help those who are not able. We have tried to align our EI system with our recovery benefits in order to make the transition seamless back and forth. I am aware of the issue the member is speaking about. We are trying to figure out a way forward for women, particularly new moms, who are in the difficult position of not having work at this time.

[Employment Insurance, May 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, EI sickness benefits are a very important support for Canadians. Workers who receive treatment need financial assistance and that is why we are extending EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. We will also continue to work on modernizing EI. Everything is on the table.

[Employment Insurance, May 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want and deserve to have an employment insurance plan that is flexible and meets their needs. Employment insurance sickness benefits are an important support for Canadians who have to stay home from work because of an illness or injury.

Workers who receive major treatments or who need more time to heal from an illness or an injury face financial pressures. That is why with budget 2021 we are extending EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks.

[COVID-19 Emergency Response, May 25th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, when workers find themselves without a job, the EI program and the Canada recovery benefit are there to support them. As we continue to fight COVID-19, EI and recovery benefits are important tools to help keep Canadians safe and financially stable.

In order to receive EI benefits, applicants need to demonstrate they are ready, willing and capable of working each day. We know that Canadians want to work and that the vast majority take jobs when they are available. Many Canadians continue to face challenges during this time, and we will continue to be there to support them.

[COVID-19 Emergency Response, May 25th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the government is determined to support parents dealing with the unique challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why we brought in the CERB, which has supported more than eight million Canadians, and introduced three recovery benefits to help workers. With budget 2021, we are also investing nearly $30 billion to create a Canada-wide child care system that will allow more women to participate in the workforce.

[Health, May 13th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, we worked with the other federal departments to expedite the process and make the arrival of foreign workers as simple as possible. The Public Health Agency of Canada and Service Canada were in regular contact with Switch Health, employers and industry associations to solve these problems.

We take these issues very seriously, and we will continue to work with Switch Health.

[Government Programs, May 6th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our EI system and the temporary recovery benefits support and include as many Canadian workers as possible and, in particular, women. As we know, they have been hit the hardest with this pandemic. We have introduced flexibilities, which mean that a person will need fewer hours to qualify for both regular and special benefits. We have extended these flexibilities for a year. We have a minimum benefit rate of $500 per week for claims established after September 27, 2020.

We are there for all Canadian workers, women in particular, and we are committed to modernizing our EI system to be even more there for them.

[Government Programs, May 6th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question, and I wish all mothers and caregivers across the country a very happy Mother's Day this Sunday.

We have been working to modernize and make EI more equitable since the beginning. This includes giving parents the choice of taking either 12 or 18 months for parental leave. We have also supported parents who face unique challenges from the COVID pandemic by providing them a one-time credit, enlarging our flexibilities and extending them for another year, and setting a minimum benefit rate of $500 a week for claims after September 27, 2020.

Of course, there is more to do, and we will keep working so that EI will be there for all Canadians.