COVID-19 Pandemic committee  Madam Chair, we are committed to being there for parents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond so that they can take care of themselves, their children and their families.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  The honourable member also has to understand that we're in the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such it will take some time for businesses to equip themselves to hire students.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  Madam Chair, I can assure the honourable member that if a Canadian has to take care of a loved one due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, they are indeed eligible to receive the CERB and remain receiving that benefit.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  We will continue to invest in the Canada summer jobs program. We've introduced flexibilities into the program to ensure that employers are able to take advantage of the program and give opportunities to young people.

Government Operations committee  Let me give you an example. The employment insurance payments would take more than three weeks to get out. Now, through the CERB, we're getting payments out in a matter of two to three days.

Government Operations committee  As of June 2, applications approved or in progress represent approximately $73 million, supporting almost 20,000 small business tenants. I'm proud of the work we've done, but we have to continue to encourage more businesses to take advantage of this wonderful program.

Government Operations committee  I'm proud to present the Government of Canada's COVID-19-related measures and my portfolio as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and as the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Let me take you back to March 2020. With the pandemic just starting in Canada, it became clear that our normal social safety net would not be able to handle the volume of people who were losing their jobs as part of the quarantine.

Proceedings of the House and Committees  As the Prime Minister has said, our government is committed to supporting Canadians with disabilities. We will have more to say about further steps we are taking to support them shortly. We undertook the noted measures in legislation collectively, as a Parliament, with the sole aim of helping Canadians and supporting the economy. As the situation evolves, we are ready to take further action as needed.

COVID-19 Emergency Response  In addition to that, in July, we will be increasing the Canada child benefit once again to take into consideration the increase in the cost of living. As long as parents are facing these pressures, our government will be there for them and will take care of them.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  That is why we've introduced flexibilities to ensure that employers are able to access the program and that youth are also able to take advantage of the program to gain important work skills, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and especially in providing essential services that serve their fellow Canadians.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  Mr. Chair, we have managed to introduce flexibilities to take into consideration the difficult environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the flexibilities we've introduced into the Canada summer jobs program will help with more hiring of youth and more supports to employers, including non-profits and businesses that deliver essential services to Canadians.

Human Resources committee  Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and committee members. Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to express my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones as well as the crew members of HMCS Fredericton who were affected by yesterday's tragic accident involving the crash of a Royal Canadian Navy helicopter, carrying six members of the Canadian Armed Forces, off the coast of Greece.

Human Resources committee  We felt that the organizations helping those vulnerable people needed the help now and not in three months. That's how long it would take if we just had a regular open call for proposals through the government. We decided to go with intermediaries to get the money out faster, in weeks rather than months. We are negotiating with them to make sure that there is national reach, that rural Canada is served, that we cover small as well as large organizations and that we make sure there is space in there for faith communities that are doing COVID-19-related work.

Human Resources committee  Before COVID-19, as you know, in Ontario we had signed the Canada-Ontario housing benefit, which is also meant to help people from vulnerable populations with rent affordability. All 10 provinces have implemented a form of eviction freeze, and we commend them for taking this action. We will continue to look at all options possible to boost funding for Canadians and to provide help in this area. It's essentially a provincial jurisdiction, but we have also made sure that we've put money into the pockets of Canadians so that they can pay their rent and pay for their other necessary expenses.

COVID-19 Pandemic  As opposed to sending a small amount of money to everyone, we focused our attention on workers and those who have seen their jobs disappear, those who have been laid off or those who have to be home to take care of kids who are not going to school or day care or to take care of a loved one who is experiencing quarantine or COVID-19. That is the focus we have had, as well as delivering more money under the Canada child benefit and the GST credit and other supports to Canadians.