Volume 43 | September 25, 2020
Hoback Electronic Herald
NEW CANADA RECOVERY BENEFIT TABLED
IN PARLIAMENT
Yesterday, the government introduced Bill C-2, An Act relating to economic recovery in response to COVID-19. It will create a new Canada Recovery Benefit for workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for EI and cannot resume work. It will also create a new Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit for workers who are ill or who must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19, and the new Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit for workers who are unable to work because they are caring for a child, dependent or family member who cannot access schools or daycares.

Following Question Period, my colleague Gerard Deltell, the Conservative House Leader tabled a unanimous consent motion proposing we work over the weekend to review and debate this legislation to get it right. It was rejected.

Parliament owes it to Canadians to do the serious work of making sure Canadians get the support they need. Justin Trudeau pretends that he wants to help Canadians, but then won’t put in the work to make sure that his programs don’t leave Canadians behind. He knows that the CERB ends soon and that millions of Canadians will be left wondering how they pay their bills.
 
The Liberals have tried to rush legislation through without scrutiny before. Canadians cannot afford for Parliament to get this wrong. The Prime Minister wants to play politics with the livelihoods of Canadians by shutting down government and making fake promises in his agenda.
 
Justin Trudeau likes to take weekends off. This isn’t the time for holidays. It’s a time for hard work.
 
My Conservative colleagues and I will continue to support Canadians who have been affected by this pandemic and lost their jobs through no fault of their own. It’s clear that the EI system was not intended to support a forced shutdown of the economy and a global pandemic. Hence, any reforms to EI need to be focused on helping Canadians get back on their feet.

This legislation is incredibly important to Canadians. We will therefore continue to do our job by asking questions to make sure it’s done right.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LAY OUT A PLAN TO HELP CANADIANS. HE FAILED.
Navigating the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult for many of us. While there remain many unknowns, Justin Trudeau had an opportunity in his Speech from the Throne to lay out a plan to help. 
But he failed to do so and is leaving Canadians behind, once again.
In his Speech from the Throne, Justin Trudeau failed to mention western alienation and national unity concerns. He failed to deliver a plan to help the millions of Canadians who are struggling. He didn’t commit to increase health transfers – the provinces’ top ask. In fact, he’s done nothing but waste six weeks so that he could hide from his ethical scandals.

There are still a number of major concerns Justin Trudeau needs to answer for. For example, why is Canada falling behind our allies when it comes to COVID-19 testing? Other countries continue to safely offer home testing and online kits. And where is the plan to deal with a second wave? We can’t accept an economic shutdown as the only solution.
People here in the Prince Albert constituency need a plan now. They need to know their government is fighting for them. People like:

  • parents who must continually choose between staying home with their child who got sent home sick from school or picking up another shift to make ends meet;
  • small business owners who were unable to apply to COVID-19 assistance programs because of unrealistic regulations;
  • health care providers who need national COVID-19 testing solutions to continue to safely provide effective health care services and solutions. 

I’m really proud to be part of a strong team that is offering a serious, compassionate and ethical government-in-waiting. I know that our country can overcome adversity together, and we can emerge from the COVID era stronger and more united than ever before.
TRUDEAU AGAIN IGNORES WESTERN CANADA
AND ITS ECONOMIC ENGINE
In his Speech from the Throne, Justin Trudeau failed to mention the issue of the western provinces feeling alienated by the Prime Minister and his government. While Trudeau likes to say that we are stronger when we are united and we are all in this together, our country is more divided than ever.

New Conservative leader Erin O'Toole made it clear during his first call with the Prime Minister that he must make addressing national unity concerns and western alienation a priority. However, there is not a single thing in the throne speech to even acknowledge that there is a problem.

All federal governments need to show Canadians that it values and respects all of them and their contributions to this country. This respect starts with an understanding that revenue generated through natural resource extraction helps to build roads, hospitals and infrastructure. The lack of respect by the Prime Minister for our natural resource industries is unacceptable as they are the backbone of our economy.

Our oil and gas sector is needed and will be needed around the globe for years to come; and we’re the most environmentally-friendly resource extractor on the planet. Justin Trudeau is hanging the sector out to dry for an ideological bent. To let Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and other countries (who are not environmentally conscious) produce all the world’s oil requirements is irresponsible. It does nothing for climate change.

Agriculture, forestry or energy resources were not mentioned once in his Throne Speech. This is completely unacceptable given that we just found out that Canada recorded its largest ever drop in natural resources employment in the second quarter.

The Liberal Government doesn't understand the sacrifices our farmers make in producing food not only for Canada, but for the world. Our farmers produce agricultural products in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. They should be congratulated and supported. They are instead ignored.

I will not support Justin Trudeau's Speech from the Throne. Canada needs a plan that will keep Canadians safe, protect jobs and gets our country back on track.
HOW TO AVOID FUTURE INTERRUPTIONS IN RECEIVING CANADA CHILD BENEFIT AND GST CREDITS
Each year, a number of federal benefit recipients fail to file their income tax and benefit returns with the consequence of having their payments interrupted.
To rectify this situation, they must file their taxes as soon as possible.

If your benefit payments are interrupted in October and you still haven’t filed your 2019 tax return, you need to do so as soon as possible to avoid any future interruptions to your CCB and/or GST/HST credits. Once your 2019 tax return is filed and assessed, your payments will be reinstated if you are still eligible for the credits
      
If you are a benefit recipient and owe any tax amount on your 2019 income, the Liberal Government has given you until September 30, 2020 to pay. Late-filing penalties or interest will not be charged if payment is made by that date.

During the fall of 2020, some community organizations will continue to host free virtual tax clinics where a volunteer can help file returns over the phone or by video conference. To find a free virtual tax clinic, go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/covid-19-outreach-liaison-officer-services/virtual-clinics.html.
REMINDER: WEDNESDAY IS CANADA TAKE-OUT DAY
PLEASE SHOP LOCAL!
Just a reminder that every Wednesday is Canada Takeout Day. I encourage everyone to support a local restaurant on Wednesdays if you are able to afford doing so.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged residents and businesses in throughout our constituency. I continue to hear from too many small business owners who are struggling through this crisis.

Residents can help by supporting our local businesses while following the advice of health officials. Please join me in shopping local to support our retailers.

On the other side of this crisis, it will be the success of small, local businesses that will put Canada on the path to prosperity once again.