Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  Well, first of all you have to lead by example. The fact that there is no federal minimum wage is a red light right there. I look at the workers at airports who suffered through contract flipping, such as the Swissport workers, who are suffering the same fate as it relates to scheduling and poor wages.

Industry committee  First of all, has there been a spike because of the pandemic? The answer is yes. Remember, Michelle, that Sobeys, Loblaws and Metro made two billion dollars' worth of profit last year. When is enough, enough? What's with the justification that increasing wages will have a negative impact on the price of food?

Industry committee  We all know the answer to that question. The answer is no. The fact that two workers again just tested positive, as was announced today in Windsor, is proof positive. The argument is nonsense, and every one of us on this panel understands that. I will argue that they understand it as well.

Industry committee  No, because you would think people would have some integrity. People would walk the talk. Those who are in a situation to effect change and talk about it can't talk progressive on Monday and do the total opposite on Tuesday. To me, somebody who would do that is a hypocrite.

Industry committee  Thank you.

Industry committee  Let's move over to Carolyn Wrice.

Industry committee  The grocery store chains were certainly in touch with our local unions. They were in touch with my staff who represent the grocery store workers, and my assistants have been all over this. We have been a part of the discussions as they relate to the workplace, the health and safety of our members and, frankly, the protocols and procedures for the customers.

Industry committee  We had one of our members pass away who worked at a warehouse, but as we are sitting here today we have, I believe, 20 active COVID cases in the supermarkets and 15 in the warehouses. Let me turn it over to Gord Currie.

Industry committee  You're absolutely correct. The average Canadian makes $52,000 a year, so that's about $25 an hour. The broader question is, if grocery store workers are deemed essential during the pandemic, then certainly they're deemed essential, period. Why should they earn less than the average wage earned here in Canada?

Industry committee  Well, the numbers speak for themselves. Ultimately, Loblaws profits in the first half of 2019 were small as compared with what they are in 2020. They will tell you quite emphatically—embarrassingly, I would suggest—that their profits during the last three months have been larger than in modern history.

Industry committee  I'm joined today by Gord Currie and Carolyn Wrice, presidents of locals on the ground, so why don't I turn it over to Gord to answer your question?

Industry committee  There's no question. I laid out earlier on that there is a food chain for even the essential workers as to who gets what, so there is lot of difficulty within our workplaces in getting some of the basics. Our members are upset and scared. They have the right to be, but they come to work out of commitment.

Industry committee  Yes, there is no question there are different pays depending on the discount stores. One point that can't get lost when you are talking about recommendations is—and I'll go back to Michelle's question—that the federal government needs to introduce some minimum wage legislation. I understand that it governs the federal government and the federal sector, not the provincial area, but it's about taking a leadership position.

Industry committee  No, I heard it like the rest of you. Ultimately, when they moved forward to cut the pandemic pay, we had a hell of a lot to say to them, but it was completely non-negotiable. They wouldn't talk to us about it. They made the decision. We spent a lot of time, in fairness, talking to them about health and safety, about the different procedures and protocols that are in place within our respective workplaces.