Calling it the “largest economic program in Canada’s history,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today Parliament will be recalled to pass new legislation to deliver enhanced COVID-19 emergency aid measures.
Calling it the “largest economic program in Canada’s history,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today Parliament will be recalled to pass new legislation to deliver enhanced COVID-19 emergency aid measures.
Business groups and the opposition Conservatives are saying delays are unacceptable and are demanding urgent action to get the money flowing fast.
The government is reaching out to opposition parties to recall Parliament to pass legislation for the expanded measures, which include an expanded income support program and a boost in wage subsidies for all businesses, Trudeau said Wednesday at his daily briefing.
“This must be a Team Canada effort. Governments of all orders across the country are stepping up to fulfil their responsibilities to Canadians,” he said.
“Canada hasn’t seen this type of civic mobilization since the Second World War.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that he will recall parliament to pass new legislation to deliver enhanced COVID-19 emergency aid measures and faces questions on personal protective equipment, as well as COVID-19 projections. 32:17
Trudeau asked Canadians to do their “service” by following public health guidelines on physical distancing, self-isolation and personal hygiene. He could not provide any firm details on how long those disruptive practices will be required, saying only that it will be weeks or months.
He also declined to say how many Canadians could die from infection, saying there are various scenarios.
A senior government official said a time has not yet been set to reconvene Parliament but it’s likely to happen early next week. While there are conflicting views on whether legislation is needed, the numbers are so large that the government thought it was right to put it before Parliament, the official said.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said recalling Parliament recognizes the role of the opposition in Canada’s parliamentary democracy, as well as the “magnitude” of the proposed measures.
The federal government initially pledged a package worth $82 billion, including income supports, wage subsidies and tax deferrals.
But that figure quickly swelled as the government expanded the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and increased the proposed wage subsidy, previously set at 10 per cent. The enhanced 75 per cent wage subsidy program will be offered to businesses of all sizes, non-profits and charities, rather than just small and medium-sized companies, as originally proposed.
Wage subsidies expected to cost $71B
Providing more details on that program today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said it will cost an estimated $71 billion but will reduce the