Context : Question
M. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NPD): Monsieur le Président, nos pensées sont aussi avec Mme Grégoire et toutes les victimes du virus.
Selon l'annonce des libéraux sur la COVID 19, les travailleurs canadiens sont toujours laissés pour compte. Les personnes sans congé de maladie ne peuvent pas se permettre de rester à la maison. Elles peuvent perdre leur salaire et peut-être même leur emploi.
Almost 60% of Canadian workers do not qualify for employment insurance. If we want to ensure the virus does not spread, people have to be able to stay home if they are sick and still pay their rent.
When will the government guarantee that every worker who has to self-quarantine gets the financial support they need to feed their families?
Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we are very aware that the Coronavirus is having a significant economic impact around the world and in Canada. We know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine.
That is why our government announced, this week, a $1billion Coronavirus response package. That package does include significant measures to support workers who need to miss work because they are ill or are in quarantine.
Now, of course, as the situation develops, our government will be monitoring it, and is poised to take more steps.