Hon. Andrew Scheer - 12:26

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, I believe that a company with a fantastic Canadian history in the member's riding, Brandt Tractor, which pioneered the manufacturing of augers in Canada, is particularly affected by this. It is very important for us that the wage subsidy be available to as many Canadian companies as possible. It helps to keep employees connected to their businesses. Now, there are always some specific issues that can make it challenging for particular companies. I know that in the case of Brandt Tractor, for example, officials from the Ministry of Finance are directly in touch with the company to work on its issues.
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Hon. Andrew Scheer - 12:28

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, let me just point out that the wage subsidy program is working extremely well for many, many Canadian companies and for many, many Canadians who are able to keep their jobs thanks to the program. More than two million Canadian workers are today benefiting from the wage subsidy program. By any measure that is a successful program.
Now, for sure there are always going to be companies which, because of specifics in their history, need specific attention, and that—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:29
Hon. Andrew Scheer - 12:29

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, we are very proud of the wage subsidy program and proud of the role it is playing to keep Canadian businesses going and, crucially, to keep Canadian workers connected to their jobs, but I have a question for the member opposite.
Half of the questions we hear from the Conservatives in question period are concerns that we're spending too much money, that the deficit is too high. The other half of the time they complain about specific companies not getting access to our programs.
We know which side we're on as a government. I'd like the Conservatives to let Canadians know what they believe in.
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:30
Hon. Andrew Scheer - 12:30

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, I'm really grateful for that question because it allows me to set the record straight for Canadians.
Canadians need to know that our country has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We had that before the crisis began, and we still do. Canada has the fiscal firepower to support Canadians during this unprecedented crisis, and that is what we are going to continue to do.
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:31
Claude DeBellefeuille - 12:31

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for the question. I want to point out that, as the hon. member said, the wage subsidy was really put in place to protect workers across Canada. We are proud of that. More than 2 million Canadians have benefited from this—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:32
Claude DeBellefeuille - 12:32

Lib. (ON)
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I thank the hon. member for her question.
I would like to point out again that the purpose of the Canada emergency wage subsidy is to support workers across Canada and Quebec, to help them keep their jobs and allow them to stay connected to their workplace.
That is what we've done. More than 2 million Canadians are benefiting from this important and truly essential program for our country. We are proud of it.
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Claude DeBellefeuille - 12:33

Lib. (ON)
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Our programs do not discriminate. They are there to help all workers. The hon. member talked about businesses and sectors that need more help. We agree. There is still a lot to do, but we want to work with all the—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:34
Claude DeBellefeuille - 12:34

Lib. (ON)
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I thank the hon. member for her question.
I agree that there is still a lot to do. We are ready, and we are taking action. However, it's important to point out that our government has already done a lot to support Canadians. We've spent $152 billion in direct support measures to Canadians. More than eight million people are benefiting from the CERB, and more than two million—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:36
Claude DeBellefeuille - 12:36

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, I want to point out that our programs do not discriminate. They are there to help all workers across the country, and I want to point out to what extent our programs do that.
Eight million people are currently benefiting from the CERB, and two million are supported by the emergency wage subsidy. Our programs are also helping 380,000 students and 639,000 businesses—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:37
Jagmeet Singh - 12:37

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, I would like to start by thanking the member opposite for his very important question and the very important work he has done throughout his career in drawing attention to racism in Canada and in fighting against it. Thank you.
I agree strongly with the member opposite that we, as Canadians, must be the opposite of complacent. We have to acknowledge that anti-black racism is real in our country, that unconscious bias is real in our country and that systemic discrimination is real. It happens here. We have to commit today to working hard to fight it.
I have more to say about disaggregated data and the coronavirus, and I hope I'll have a chance to do that in my next answer.
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Jagmeet Singh - 12:39

Lib. (ON)
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Thank you again for that very important question.
First of all, on coronavirus, our government believes that disaggregated data, including when it comes to race, is extremely important. We're working with our provincial partners on that.
On policing, racial profiling is unacceptable and unlawful. We will always work to uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to ensure the human rights of everyone in Canada are protected. At the federal level, RCMP members are guided by bias-free policing based on equality and non-discrimination.
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Jagmeet Singh - 12:40

Lib. (ON)
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Mr. Chair, at this moment I can only speak for myself, and I have not met with any such lobbyists during that period or at other times.
I share the member opposite's concerns about long-term care facilities in Canada. We have to do better, and we will.
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Jagmeet Singh - 12:41

Lib. (ON)
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Let me very clear about one thing, speaking on behalf of our government and on behalf of the Prime Minister. Our government sees as a matter of utmost concern and utmost urgency what has been happening in long-term care homes in our country, and the reports we have received from the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces about facilities in Ontario and Quebec need to be treated as historic documents that—
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Hon. Anthony Rota - 12:42
Dave Epp - 13:47

Lib. (ON)
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Our government absolutely understands the crucial role municipalities play as the engine of our economy at all times, and particularly today, as in many parts of the country we are looking to restart the economy. That is why the Prime Minister announced just this morning that we will be accelerating payments under the gas tax fund. Municipalities will receive the full amount of their 2020-21 payment on June 10. This will help them with some of their near-term liquidity issues.
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Bruce Stanton - 13:48