News | A5, Words: 594
Current federal spending is sustainable but ceiling has been reduced, watchdog report says
by: Alex Ballingall Toronto Star
Parliament's fiscal watchdog says the federal government now has less room to keep spending in a sustainable way, as the Trudeau Liberals promise expensive new programs like national child care and vow to do whatever it takes to fight the COVID-19 crisis.
Context-Debate - Committee of the whole on Bill C-9, an act to amend the Income Tax Act with regard to the Canada emergency rent subsidy and the Canada emergency wage subsidy, and the economy in general.
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP):
Mr. Chair, with the emergency rent subsidy program, the original contract this summer was given to a company whose leadership has links to the chief of staff of the Prime Minister. Landlords could only apply if they had a commercial mortgage at the beginning, and this was a non-tendered contract given to a commercial mortgage company. Therefore, it failed most of the businesses that should have been able to access the commercial rent subsidy.
NDP Opposition Day Motion-Tax Measures to Support Canadians
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP) moved:
That, given that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian billionaires are $37 billion richer while the most vulnerable are struggling, the House call upon the government to put in place a new one percent tax on wealth over $20 million and an excess profit tax on big corporations that have been profiteering from the pandemic, and to re-invest the billions of dollars recouped from these measures to: (a) expand income security programs to ensure all individuals residing in Canada have a guaranteed livable basic income; (b) expand health care, including by putting in place a national dental care program and a universal, single-payer, public pharmacare program; and (c) meaningfully implement the right to housing with the full plan set out in the Recovery for All campaign and immediately fund a "For Indigenous, By Indigenous" urban, rural and Northern housing strategy delivered by Indigenous housing providers.
Speech on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy)
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, NDP):
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his presentation.
We know that the first version of the rent relief program for SMEs was poorly designed, since the vast majority of SMEs could not even access it. Following pressure from us as well as SMEs, a new version is now being proposed.
Opposition Motion from the Conservative Party - Consequences of the Pandemic on Canadian Workers and Businesses
That, given that the pandemic has had devastating consequences on Canadian workers and businesses, especially in the restaurant, hospitality and tourism sectors, the House call on the government to: (a) immediately pause the audits of small businesses that received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until at least June 2021; and (b) provide additional flexibility in the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and other support program.
43rd Parliament, 2nd Session
As critics for Finance, I wrote to the new Finance minister Chrystia Freeland to reiterate some NDP key proposals that will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of Canadians today and for future generations.
- Topping up your prescription, not toppling your budget. Canadian families will save more than $500 a year on average – even if they have insurance at work or school. And businesses currently providing health insurance will save around $600 per employee, and be confident that their whole employee team is covered.
- Saving money means saving lives. Bulk buying on medication undercuts inflated prescription costs set by private companies, and lets us lower costs dramatically by negotiating prices as a country. We can save $4.2 billion and use that money to give better coverage to all Canadians.
OTTAWA – While Liberals have become increasingly focussed on their own scandals and internal divisions, New Democrats are again calling on the government to fix the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (CECRA) so that help finally be sent to the small businesses that create jobs and contribute to communities large and small across the country.
A new analysis by the PBO illustrates that the federal government can raise new resources to stimulate the post-covid economy and provide more support to Canadians by implementing a wealth tax on Canada’s top 1 percent, as proposed by the NDP.
The government must stop protecting the wealthiest and those who use overseas tax havens to avoid paying their fair share. We have an opportunity to finally put in place a Fair Tax system by curbing tax havens, which will reduce inequality and better distribute wealth among Canadians.
I have introduced in the House of Commons Motion M-43 to immediately implement a 1% wealth tax on fortunes over $20 million.
Add your name and share my petition to show your support.
Politics
Prime Minister under fire for awarding contract to administer $900-million program to organization with close ties to his family
by: Marieke Walsh
More opposition parties are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to testify at the House of Commons finance committee over the cancelled WE Charity contract to administer a new program that would pay students for volunteer work.