“Canadian businesses are suffering. They are struggling to survive. Therefore, many workers are suffering too – hundreds of thousands of them are already laid-off and many more are worried about losing their jobs,� said Singh in a joint letter to the Prime Minister. “In the coming weeks, millions of Canadians may be without work and countless businesses may close their doors across the country due to the public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The government’s announcement today will hopefully help businesses stay open, and most importantly, help people keep their jobs.�
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadians should not be dragged into financial ruin amid COVID-19
“People are understandably worried about how they’re going to pay their bills and afford their food or the medications they need or even how to keep a roof over their heads,� said Julian. “With the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians need to know that their federal government has their back.�
“The government needs to ensure that every Canadian who is facing this challenge has the ability to afford the essentials they need, without facing additional financial pressure due to bankruptcy laws,� said Masse. “That’s why we are calling on the government to put a moratorium on consumer proposal payments so that even if the default goes more than 3 months, creditors’ rights will not be revived.�
IN THE NEWS
Feds call on banks to lower consumer interest rates
Lethbridge Herald (Final)
News | A4
The federal government is asking banks and credit-card companies to lower interest rates for Canadians, many of whom are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government is also looking at extending lower-interest credit directly to consumers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, in his daily update to Canadians on Thursday.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Liberals must put Canadians ahead of credit card companies
While the COVID-19 crisis has forced millions of Canadians to miss out on work and wages, the federal government’s announced supports are still weeks away. To help prevent Canadians from falling even deeper in debt, New Democrats are calling on the federal government to put the needs of Canadian people ahead of credit card company profits.
“The government is making Canadians wait weeks for the roll out of the support they promised. But, for many families, waiting weeks just isn’t an option� said Julian. “In fact, even before the pandemic, close to half of all Canadians were just a few hundred dollars away from insolvency. These families are probably already relying on credit cards and high interest loans and will likely feel they have no choice but to turn to them even more now.�
NDP Statement in Response to the Prime Minister’s Update on COVID-19
"We are in the midst of the most serious public health crisis of the last century. Workers and their families need help to do the right thing for our collective public health. Canadians need to know that their federal government has their back.
All Canadians - workers, small business owners, parents of kids whose schools are closed - need their government to deliver on a plan to help them now.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadian families need the government to come through for them
OTTAWA – As the spread of COVID-19 continues, people are concerned not only about their health, but also about their ability to keep paying the bills and putting food on the table.
Health experts and government officials are encouraging people to stay home and self-isolate and people want to make the right choices to keep their communities and families safe.
IN THE HOUSE
Statement from the NDP regarding the challenge of coronavirus in Canada
Context : Statements by Ministers
M. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NPD): Madame la Présidente, nos pensées aujourd'hui sont avec Mme Gregoire, ainsi qu'avec les 155 autres Canadiens qui sont atteints du coronavirus partout au Canada.
Transcription in progress / Transcription en marche
In this place, Canadians often see where our parties differ: the differences we have, the questions we ask in question period. What Canadians often see is the variety of opinions around this House of Commons.
IN THE HOUSE
Speech
NDP Opposition Day Motion on Pharmacare
NDP Opposition Day Motion, put forward by NDP Health Critic Don Davies, and seconded by MP Julian.
Context : Debate
M. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NPD): Madame la Présidente, puisque nous avons juste 10 minutes avant le début de la période des questions et que je ne pourrai pas revenir après cela, je vais me limiter à cinq minutes pour permettre à mes collègues de poser des questions. Je trouve la discussion extrêmement importante. À cinq minutes avant la période des questions, je vais m'arrêter volontairement pour laisser les autres poser des questions.
IN THE HOUSE
QUESTION PERIOD
COVID-19 and Canadian workers without access to EI
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.
IN THE HOUSE
Question Period
Impact of coronavirus on Canadian workers
Context : Question
M. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NPD): Des experts en matière de santé disent aux gens de rester chez eux s'ils sont malades. Or, pour ceux et celles sans congés de maladie, cela pourrait entraîner la perte de leur paie ou même leur travail. Nous entendons parler de cette crise Coved19 depuis des semaines.
Last week all that the finance minister announced was that he would be making an announcement. Empty words from the Liberals don’t help these workers pay their bills. No firepower there.
IN THE HOUSE
Presenting petitions on Motion M-1, a Green New Deal for Canada
Context : Presenting Petitions
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to also present a petition on the Green New Deal, on behalf of dozens of residents of the Toronto, Burlington and Waterdown, Ontario, areas.
These petitioners add their names to the thousands of petitions and signatures that are pouring in from across the length and breadth of our country, calling on the Parliament of Canada to adopt Motion M-1, the Green New Deal, and for the Government of Canada to put in place a rigorous and comprehensive plan to combat the climate emergency.
IN THE HOUSE
Peter tables Bill C-213, An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act
43rd Parliament, 1st Session
Context : Introduction of Private Members' Bills
Bill C-213. Introduction and first reading
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-213, An Act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act.
He said: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to introduce the Canada pharmacare act, an historic step in the history of our country.