Cabinet is calling Parliament into emergency session to pass a dairy relief bill. Other agri-food executives told the Commons agriculture committee aid to date is so inadequate some Canadian firms face certain bankruptcy: “This is not going to be a short-term crisis.”
Immigration levels may be cut for the first time in a decade due to the “surrounding context” of mass unemployment, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino hinted in testimony at the Commons human resources committee. Current levels are a third higher than in past recessions: “We are in the midst of a pandemic.”
Cabinet will extend a pandemic wage subsidy program that appears under-subscribed. Data show only a fraction of budgeted funds have been claimed to date: “Small business owners are worried and scared.”
All-party MPs on the Commons finance committee last night refused to endorse a demand for millions in pandemic relief by the Canadian Football League. One Conservative MP, former voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, said even Rider fans won’t tolerate a league bailout: “There’s a lot of public skepticism.”
Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne yesterday defended his public thanks to China for a pandemic donation even as federal authorities complained of shoddy goods and late deliveries from medical suppliers in the People’s Republic. “We are grateful to every nation,” said Champagne.
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough yesterday suggested a Canada Summer Jobs program will be expanded, again. Her remarks came six days after Parliament amid criticism passed a pandemic relief bill to pay students without work: “This is not a perfect system.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday pledged $4 billion in pandemic bonuses for essential minimum wage workers as designated by provinces. The funding raises the federal deficit to a record $256 billion: “The minimum wage sets a floor.”
Governor General Julie Payette yesterday said Canadians have a civic duty to correct Facebook rumours on the pandemic. Payette in a podcast also questioned whether Canada is prepared for volcanic eruptions, and discussed the likelihood an asteroid will strike the planet: “No, no, this is ridiculous.”
Nearly three-quarters of a million homeowners have deferred mortgage payments, says the Department of Finance. MPs noted few lenders waived charges but merely compounded interest: “Canada has been very, very good to the nation’s banks.”
A Crown agency billed for meals and entertainment at the rate of $25,000 a month including sports tickets despite an old cabinet directive banning the practice, records show. Invest In Canada said charges were necessary to “nurture relationships”.
Prosperity Minister Mona Fortier yesterday refused to detail confidential federal research that calculated farmers’ cost of the carbon tax. Cabinet disclosed the internal study in a routine Commons tabling, but said findings were secret: “We know you know.”
Federal prison managers yesterday contradicted claims by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair that hundreds of inmates have been paroled as a pandemic safety precaution. The Correctional Service said it was “not possible” to verify: “It is very difficult.”
Charities facing unprecedented layoffs and revenue declines have appealed to MPs to increase tax credits on donations. Parliament four years ago rejected a bill to boost credits to the same level as contributions to political parties: “I’m sure it would increase giving.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office faces a federal lawsuit over media blacklisting at his daily press briefing held in lieu of Question Period. Data show the CBC was invited to ask twice as many questions as any of its competitors, while some other media were not permitted any questions at all: “Media are the cornerstone of any democracy.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada in weeks leading to the Covid-19 outbreak spent more than $50,000 on catered staff luncheons, party snacks and refreshments for Take Our Kids To Work Day, records show. MPs cited the Agency for failing in its duty to stock up on vital pandemic supplies for doctors and nurses: “Hindsight is 20-20.”
