COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, last week the government insinuated China's ban on Canadian canola seed had been resolved. However, according to the Canola Council of Canada, only current levels of imports would continue. Imports are down 70%, $1 billion less than historical levels. Has China agreed

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, Canadians are losing their jobs. Small businesses are struggling more than ever right now, yet the government increased the carbon tax on April 1. Will the government reverse this increase?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, when we last met here on March 24, the employment minister left the House with the distinct impression and belief that workers who are currently on unemployment insurance, whose claims will soon expire, would qualify for the emergency benefit program, yet over the last

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, will that change require a legislative change, or a regulatory change that the minister is able to make from her desk or with cabinet?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, could the minister tell us when this will happen?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, this question is for the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. Small businesses with payrolls of $50,000 or more have access to zero- or low-interest loans, but for small businesses below that threshold or sole proprietorships, these businesses are wondering if l

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we do look forward to hearing more about that. Turning to the emergency relief benefit program, the challenge, of course, is around precarious workers. The government policy today is one of lights on, lights off. Small businesses that have seen a collapse in income ye

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I ask that the minister lower his sights. I am talking about what I will call the “micro” small businesses, the coffee shops that have laid off the employees but are serving meals to try to keep some income coming in. I am talking about the businesses that do not have

COVID-19 Pandemic   the beginning of this pandemic, Canadian oil and gas companies have cancelled $8.5 billion in planned spending and capital investments, just trying to survive. Is it true that the finance minister failed to get cabinet approval for any help for Canada's energy sector, yes or no?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, why, then, the delay in helping the energy sector? This answer simply is not good enough. The Prime Minister said at the end of last month that the Liberals recognize there are certain industries that have been hit both by the drop in oil prices and by COVID-19, that

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I agree the wage subsidy is very important, but we have a project that is waiting for cabinet approval. Will the government approve the Nova Gas expansion project?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister has stated that we will have to remain vigilant for at least a year when it comes to battling COVID-19. Let us contrast that with the Premier of Alberta's proactive relaunch approach, where he is looking to follow the leads of countries like Taiwan,

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we need smart, focused measures that will allow us to relaunch our economy once the worst is over. We have already seen the government change its position on stronger border screenings and for masks in public spaces. We need our economy functioning while protecting our

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, a constituent of mine owns a popular deli that sells groceries. Almost all of his employees have now gone on the emergency benefit. The good news is that his sales are starting to come back and he wants to offer them some work, about 15 hours a week. If they take that

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, if they are already on the emergency benefit, they cannot qualify for the wage subsidy. They are now on the benefit. I understand they will be allowed to work up to 10 hours. Why would the government punish those workers for doing more than 10 hours' work? Should we no