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Results: 166 - 172 of 172
View Chris d'Entremont Profile
CPC (NS)
I had a French line in here. I just want to make sure I get through that, and then I'll switch to English.
I want to thank all the parliamentarians for their support during this difficult time for Canadians.
My first question is for the Minister of Finance, even though it's fisheries-related.
In many instances in the lobster industry, and I suppose in many other fisheries, buyers and processors will settle in various different ways with the fishermen. Simply, some buy the product by weight, some provide wage and wage benefits, and some use a combination of both. The last two methods do not effectively—
View Chris d'Entremont Profile
CPC (NS)
The last two methods do not effectively represent the true wages of the business. In one case that I am aware of, the T4 summary, box 14, shows about $2.6 million in total employment, but the actual wages to people working directly for the company are only about $242,000.
How can these companies qualify for the CEBA and the wage subsidy?
View Bernadette Jordan Profile
Lib. (NS)
Mr. Chair, we recognize that, within the fishing sector, there are definitely some challenges with regard to how businesses are structured. We're looking at all those measures that have been put in place and how we can best address the concerns we're hearing from the industry. We know that there have been some shortfalls with regard to harvesters and processors in being able to access the wage subsidy, as well as some of the people who are trying to access the CERB.
Those are all measures that we're working on right now to try to make sure that we address these concerns as quickly as we possibly can.
View Chris d'Entremont Profile
CPC (NS)
Fishers are asking, of course, “What about us?” Many of their markets are closed, or at least purchasing minimal amounts of seafood. Some seasons have been postponed. Blaine Higgs, the Premier of New Brunswick, is now calling for the cancellation of the lobster fishery in New Brunswick.
When will the government come up with a rescue plan for the fishing industry, which has been severely affected since the beginning of this crisis? Processors were promised $62.5 million, but nothing yet for fishers.
View Bernadette Jordan Profile
Lib. (NS)
Mr. Chair, we know that the fish and seafood sector has been extremely impacted since the very start of COVID-19. It was one of the first sectors to feel the impacts, because of the decline in the export market.
We're making investments for processors to make sure that they can retool their facilities and provide the health and safety measures and protocols that have been put in place, and also to make sure they can build capacity through freezer and storage space. These are all things that we heard from processors were extremely important to them.
We also know that harvesters who are being impacted need supports. We are now looking at sector-specific areas, so that we can make sure that we address those issues. We have already made sure that seasonal workers are eligible for the CERB, as well as made sure that people who have run out of fishers' EI are also eligible.
We will continue to work with our harvesters, industry partners and organizations right across the fishing and seafood sector to make sure we get those measures in place as quickly as possible. We know that this is a very difficult time in this industry. I am working extremely hard and actively around the clock to try to make sure that we address these concerns as soon as we can.
View Annie Koutrakis Profile
Lib. (QC)
View Annie Koutrakis Profile
2020-04-16 18:48
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to take the time to thank you, Minister, for appearing before the finance committee. I know you're very busy. I also want to extend a huge thank you to your staff and to everybody in the finance department. I know how difficult and challenging it is for everyone, and I know you're working around the clock. I want to say a huge thank you on behalf of all Canadians.
You are acting to close all the gaps, I know, but no matter the amount of fine-tuning you do, there will always be some people who don't quite fit the criteria. Clearly, you are doing your best and listening to all MPs and Canadians and making adjustments. I have received numerous phone calls and emails from my constituents thanking the government for being so open and willing to listen and adjusting as we go along. On behalf of my constituents, thank you as well.
Minister, can you comment on where Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan stands relative to our needs in comparison to similar fiscal stimulus and aid packages announced by other countries around the world? How do we know if we are doing enough? How willing and able is the government to go further in our spending as the situation evolves?
View Bill Morneau Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you, Annie. This is an important question.
I think what we will see is different countries doing different things based on their situation. We're lucky that our situation fiscally is strong, so the measures we've put in place now represent about 8.5% of our GDP. That's obviously enormous. It's very significant in terms of the direct measures to people, the $107 billion or so that's going directly to people through the wage subsidy and the CERB. It's also very significant in terms of the deferrals we've put in place on taxes, as well as, finally, the credit that we're putting out for businesses. It's significant in multiple places.
With respect to other countries, we are doing that international comparison now. We are among the leaders in that. We obviously have a fiscal situation that enables us to do that. Many European countries don't have that same positive starting point, but we've been comparing and we see that we've been more aggressive in supporting people and more aggressive in supporting businesses.
As I mentioned on an earlier question, we've also been more effective in actually getting it done, for example, getting the business loans out. In our country, they're actually out and in people's pockets already, in many cases. Of course, our CERB is out and in people's pockets, in millions of cases, so this is very positive. In that way, Canada not only has done the work and made the commitments, but we're also delivering. In some countries, the commitments and the delivery are separated by administrative challenges that we've overcome.
We'll continue to look at other countries, how they're doing it, and compare our efforts. We'll make sure they're appropriate for us, but also make sure they're appropriate for supporting all Canadians, your constituents being a good example.
Results: 166 - 172 of 172 | Page: 12 of 12

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