Post-Secondary Education  Mr. Speaker, we recognize that student debt can be challenging for graduates. That is why, in response to COVID-19, we increased the Canada student grants by 50% to help Canadians from low- and middle-income families. We have improved the repayment assistant program so applicants would not have to repay their student loan until they are earning at least $25,000 per year.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, as the member knows, and I thank him for his camaraderie on this really important file, two things are happening right now in EI. We are proposing immediate temporary changes to the EI regular benefit system to allow for an increased number of weeks for regular EI benefit recipients.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, when we put in place Bill C-4 at the end of September 2020, we built in the regulatory ability to increase the number of weeks on recovery caregiver and sickness benefits. Obviously we did know at the time that if we wanted to increase the number of weeks available on EI, it would have to be done through regulation.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. Our government has always supported workers. We do not know what September will bring, but we will continue to be there for workers. We will continue to improve the EI system. The more flexible measures we added last September will expire in September 2021.

Employment Insurance Act  moved that Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Madam Speaker, happy International Women's Day.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be present today virtually to speak to Bill C-24. I want to acknowledge that I am joining members from the traditional territory of the Musqueam and the Tsawwassen First Nation. The bill before us today makes significant changes to the Employment Insurance Act, the Canada Recovery Benefits Act and the Customs Act so that we can continue to support Canadians.

Employment  Madam Speaker, we recognize that it is a challenging time for many. Some workers are having difficulty returning, or their jobs just are not available. That is why we are committed to making the largest investment in training in Canadian history. This will include supporting Canadians as they build new skills, helping workers receive education and accreditation, and strengthening workers' futures by connecting them to good jobs.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Mr. Speaker, we know that this continues to be a difficult time for many, which is why we transitioned to a simplified EI program and created three new recovery benefits to support Canadians. Service Canada and the CRA work closely together to share data on Canadians who apply for benefits, to ensure that only one benefit is paid to someone applying at any given time.

Employment  Mr. Speaker, I am committed to working to ensure that every Canadian receives the benefits they are entitled to, including EI. We are not asking people to repay if they cannot afford to. I am happy to work with the member opposite on that particular case, of course. I will follow up with him directly after Oral Questions.

Employment Insurance Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the integral role farm workers and farmers play in ensuring that Canadians have access to food, and we are here to support them. We are working very hard to ensure the continued safety and timely arrival of temporary foreign workers into Canada.

Employment  Mr. Speaker, we are working very closely with the agricultural sector and we understand the need for foreign workers. The Minister of Agriculture and I have been putting significant resources into this file and we continue to support those workers and of course the farmers. We thank them for their work.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Mr. Speaker, paid sick leave has been a cornerstone of our public health response to COVID-19, both through the CERB, the Canada recovery sickness benefit and indeed EI. Our government is committed to extending EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks, and we stand firm and committed to doing just that.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Madam Speaker, I can assure the member and everyone in the House that we are making every effort to get this resolved as soon as possible. Understandably, we want to make sure people are not getting two benefits at the same time, but people need to get the benefits they are entitled to.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Madam Speaker, I can assure the member that the CRA and ESDC, through Service Canada, are working to resolve this issue of people having two different claims in the system. From an integrity point of view, we want to make sure people are not being paid twice, but that is small comfort I know for citizens who are waiting for their payments.