Carla Qualtrough

[Government Programs, May 6th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, since day one we have worked hard to improve and modernize the EI system. We have continued those efforts through budget 2021. We have introduced flexibilities into the EI system for last year and for another year, so women exactly like those referred to by the member can have easier access to maternity and parental leaves, as can all parents.

We know that there is more to be done on the EI file, and I look forward to working with my colleague on this effort, so every Canadian worker has access to better and more comprehensive supports.

[Labour, April 29th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, I disagree. This program is absolutely working. From the beginning of the pandemic, our government has focused on providing assistance for Canadians. Paid sick leave has been a foundational element of our public health response. More than eight million workers accessed the CERB, close to 500,000 Canadians have claimed the Canada recovery sickness benefit and millions more continue to have access to four weeks of paid sick leave.

Beyond our emergency supports, eight million workers have access to paid sick days as a result of the EI premium reduction program, and hundreds of thousands of workers continue to access more flexible EI sickness benefits. Through budget 2021, we are extending EI sickness benefits to 26 weeks, providing yet another 169,000 Canadians with additional support—

[Employment Insurance, April 29th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear: No one can access federal assistance if they have to quarantine after returning to Canada from non-essential travel. Nothing has changed.

EI sickness benefits are still only available to Canadians who cannot work because they are sick or injured, not to those who must quarantine after choosing to travel abroad.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said, effective April 28, Dynacare will provide temporary foreign workers with dedicated support services in French, English and other languages.

This agreement will help meet an increased demand for testing over the coming months, support essential sectors like agriculture, and protect the health and safety of foreign workers and Canadians.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, all federal departments worked together to expedite and facilitate the safe entry of temporary foreign workers into Canada.

On April 26, we announced a new partnership with Dynacare to provide specialized support for testing temporary foreign workers arriving in Quebec by plane. Starting April 28, Dynacare will be providing temporary foreign workers with specialized support in French, English and other languages. This agreement will help meet the increased demand for testing in the coming months.

[Employment, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle for the work she does for her community.

Our budget is a plan that invests in growth for all Canadians and an economic recovery that leaves no one behind. We are investing nearly $2.5 billion to help train workers while also helping Canadians transition to new jobs. We are creating 500,000 training and work opportunities, including 215,000 opportunities for youth.

We are also extending the wage subsidy and creating a hiring program for Canada's economic recovery. We are delivering on our commitment to create one million jobs—

[Employment, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, absolutely. In fact, that is why we are investing in sectors and communities in specific job transitions. We are investing in young people. We are investing in people with disabilities. We have a comprehensive plan that is not scattered or all over the map. It is just comprehensive. Perhaps the Conservatives have not seen such a plan before. We are creating jobs. We are training and upskilling workers, and we will continue to be there for Canadians.

[Employment, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the nature of work and the way businesses operate are indeed changing at an ever-increasing speed. That is why in budget 2021 we are investing nearly $2.5 billion to help employers train and re-skill people and health workers transition to new jobs. This investment will also enhance foundational and transferable skills, and create a new apprenticeship service for the trades.

We are creating 500,000 new training work opportunities, including 215,000 new job and training opportunities for youth; supporting businesses in the most affected sectors, such as tourism, and arts and culture; and accelerating investments in digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses. This is how we are putting our government on track to meet our commitment to create a million jobs by the end of this year.

[Health, April 26th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, of course our hearts go out to the families and friends of every single person lost in the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially to the family of that 13-year-old girl.

We have made paid sick leave a key public health measure since the onset of the pandemic. Workers have access to four weeks of benefits for the CRSB. We have raised EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. We are working with the provinces to complement the support they can and are, thank goodness, starting to provide.

Make no mistake. We know how important it is for workers to have access to paid sick leave. That is why we have done it since day one of this pandemic.

[Health, April 26th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, budget 2021 contains historic investments for workers, for training, for job creation and for employment insurance, as well as support measures to help us get through this crisis.

Paid sick leave has been a key public health measure since the onset of the pandemic. Workers have access to four weeks of benefits for the Canada recovery sickness benefit. In budget 2021, we will extend EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks, which will provide additional support to approximately 169,000 Canadians.

The government will help Canadians get through this crisis.