Business of Supply  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.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I certainly do not disagree, but that was not my question. I asked how it was chosen. Maybe specifically, was there an open bid process, or by what specific criteria was Mitacs chosen?

Business of Supply  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.

Business of Supply  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?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I will share my time with the member for Mégantic—L'Érable, and I will use my portion of the time to ask a series of questions. Some new small businesses that were at the pre-revenue stage prior to the pandemic have been systematically excluded from the government's programs.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I only need a yes or no to the question. Do the estimates contain any provision for relief for new small businesses, yes or no?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, can the minister say if there is anything for businesses that have been excluded from the relief program so far? That is what I would like to know, if the minister can answer that question, please.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, for a small business that does not meet the criteria of the wage subsidy or rent subsidy, is there anything that will allow these businesses to survive and pay their immediate bills?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I understand that businesses that spent all of their savings building a plant, restaurant or a store, and had a grand opening date in March, still do not receive eligibility for the rent subsidy or the wage subsidy. Will they be eligible for the new hire subsidy?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the estimates include $81.5 million for Mitacs to administer a small business internship program. That is included in these estimates. How was Mitacs chosen?

Bill C-10  Madam Speaker, the heritage minister has dismissed and insulted critics of Bill C-10 as “extremist” while peddling his own tin-hatted conspiracy theory about big tech being in cahoots with Canadian academics just to spread disinformation about his bill. Despite all the backlash and the minister's vague promises of future clarity amid his own incoherent and contradictory statements, the bill remains “a full-blown assault” on freedom of expression.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, this is the most anti-small business government in Canadian history. Who could forget the draconian 2017 tax changes and the Prime Minister’s claim that small businesses are just a tax dodge for the wealthy. Small businesses are drowning in debt and facing uncertain futures while the government dithers its way through the pandemic with slow vaccine deliveries and failure to make use of other important tools.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, for over a year, Canadians have done their best to comply with Public Health measures to contain the spread of COVID, but the pandemic has left millions of Canadians worried about their economic security. Canadians need a government that is not ashamed of primary industries, like energy, fishing, forestry and farming.

Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to point out that in this place we typically accept apologies and retractions when offered by members.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Madam Speaker, this is the type of debate we need, where we discuss important issues before the House, and inflation and his concern about it should be duly noted. I am very pleased to hear the member raise inflation. At finance committee, for example, the testimony from officials and members of the government, members of his caucus, has largely not shared the urgency around getting a handle on ensuring that inflation does not harm Canadians in the months and years to come.