COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, that is a very good question. We know there are sectors that are really hurting because of COVID-19. That is why we have negotiated credit opportunities for the largest of them. We will keep making more credit support available to them. There are also other approach

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I just have to say that we all are concerned with the impacts on multiple sectors that are happening because of COVID-19. This means we need to think about how we can support different sectors. Most importantly, we have put in place approaches for credit for organiza

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we have worked hard to come up with an approach for the wage subsidy that will deal with the sectors of our economy and individual organizations that are most impacted by COVID-19. The revenue tests we have put in place show us that they have actually seen significant

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we did give an interim extension to the Auditor General because we thought that was appropriate at this moment in time. We will consider what the appropriate next steps are, as we have the time to do so, but we do think that the current status allows him to continue to

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we very much recognize that the sectors the member identified, the hospitality sector, the arts and culture sector and the tourism sector, have been impacted in a very damaging way. There are other sectors as well like the airline sector and the energy sector that are

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, we recognize that seniors, like all Canadians, are feeling extremely challenged. Seniors maybe more so because of the additional health anxiety that they have. Not only have we lowered the amount that they are required to take out of their registered retirement income

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, even if the employees are currently on the emergency response benefit, if the employer chooses to put them on the wage subsidy, the employer can do that. People just need to make sure that employees are not going on the response benefit and the wage subsidy at the same

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, to be clear, the condition around the wage subsidy is that employers will need to show us, before they actually get the money, that they have actually paid the employees. The up to $847 per week will have already gone to the employees by the time the money actually goe

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I want to be very clear. It does not matter how we communicate it; in no way are we trying to use trickery to make Canadians think something is happening that is not. The fact is the money that is going for the wage subsidy will go to employees. There is only one thing

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I realize people want to know exactly what the eligibility criteria are. That is important. Our first consideration is people who are in a difficult position because of COVID-19. That was our approach, and I think it is very important to keep going in that direction.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, that would not have been simpler. We looked at every option for getting money to people as quickly as possible. That is why we opted for the Canada emergency response benefit. We believe that is important because it enables us to get money to people when they need it

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, with the wage subsidy, we need to know that the money will be paid to the employees. That is a very important condition. We will always look at the best way to help the employees, help the people and ensure that the money is not being used to boost the income of CEOs o

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, I suspect in the case that the member for Carleton is talking about, there may be an opportunity for the employer to consider the wage subsidy, which in many cases will help them significantly. For those who decide to take the CERB, we are looking at how we can make su

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, that is a good question. We took income into account, not stock options or vehicle allowances, for example. Tips are difficult to account for, since it is not easy for the employer to determine what tips an employee received a week ago, a month ago, or two months ago.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Mr. Chair, these are important questions. We are looking at the best way to consider dividends for the purposes of the Canada emergency response benefit. We have not reached a conclusion, but that is very important. As far as the wage subsidy is concerned, that is a bit harde