Mary Ng

[Small Business, October 19th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, nothing is more important to us than helping small businesses and farming businesses get through this very difficult time of COVID-19. I just learned that the hotline response time is within 48 hours, and many businesses are getting their answers right away, in under 48 hours but absolutely no more than 48 hours. We want to make sure the CEBA loan is getting out to all the businesses that need it.

[International Trade, October 8th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member and, indeed, all Canadian farmers, producers and the agri-food industry that Canada will always stand up for them. Our government is concerned about the U.S. decision to launch the global safeguard investigation into fresh and frozen blueberries. Our agricultural products and exports are not contributing to harming the U.S. market, and Canada expects the U.S. to respect the new NAFTA safeguard provision. Rest assured that we are going to actively participate in this safeguard investigation to defend the interests of our agri-food industry.

[International Trade, October 6th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, our government will always stand up for Canadian producers, farmers and the agri-food industry.

Canada is concerned by the U.S. decision to launch a global safeguard investigation on fresh and frozen blueberries that could eventually lead to tariffs on imports from Canada. Canadian agricultural exports of fresh and frozen blueberries are not contributing and are not harming the U.S. market, and Canada expects that the U.S. will respect the CUSMA safeguard provisions. Canada will actively participate in the safeguard investigation.

[COVID-19 Emergency Response, September 29th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member on being my new critic. I look forward to working with him.

I would disagree. Over 760,000 businesses have benefited from the small business loan. Businesses have benefited from getting fixed support to deal with their fixed costs, such as rent. We are listening to business owners and we will continue to listen to them. It is why we committed in our throne speech to ensure that the hardest-hit businesses will get support to deal with their fixed costs. We are going to continue to do whatever it takes to help businesses across this country weather this difficult time.

[Forestry Industry, September 29th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is disappointed that the United States decided to appeal the WTO report from last month. The WTO found that the countervailing measures that the United States had imposed on Canada were inconsistent with the United States' obligations. The American countervailing measures on Canadian softwood lumber were deemed to be unfair and unfounded, and they are undermining the economic recovery on both sides of the border.

We will continue to work—

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, September 25th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses are extremely important. We are very committed to making sure they get the support that they need.

The call centre has been changed temporarily to respond to the many calls that have come in, but it can deal with the answers to the questions those very businesses have asked, those very farmers. This is an effort to process those questions a lot quicker. We are working very hard to make sure they get the answers they need.

[International Trade, September 24th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I remain in close communication with my contact in the U.K. The U.K. trade secretary is really pleased that we will continue to work with the U.K. to build on our strong trade agreement. We are going to continue working on a solid path for both of our countries to grow our economies and benefit our people on a transition agreement that will ensure continuity for businesses here in Canada and for workers and businesses in the United Kingdom. We are going to keep working hard for Canadians.

[COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Matters, August 12th, 2020]

Mr. Chair, we have been talking to businesses all around the country. I was just on an Atlantic tour last week, and it is absolutely our priority to support them to ensure that they are getting more digital options. They can count on the government to have their backs.

[Small Business, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for her advocacy on behalf of small business and for the people of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne.

The smallest and most vulnerable businesses may face the additional challenge of accessing financial planning advice to help them survive through this difficult period. It is why we launched the business resilience service. It is a free hotline, operated by the Charter Professional Accountants of Canada. It is going to operate seven days a week for the next four weeks. It is a service that is going to help Canadian business owners, including those who run charities and not-for-profits, with customized financial guidance, from navigating tax regulations, government supports and planning their path to recovery. It is a great help for small businesses.

[COVID-19 Emergency Response, May 26th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, we have put many supports out to help our struggling small businesses across the country, including the business credit availability program and additional lending supports for our businesses. I look forward to making that information available to my colleague and members of the House.

These supports really are going to help our small businesses weather through this difficult period with the operating capital that they need during this time.