HUMA briefing binder: Minister Qualtrough – December 10, 2020

Official title: Appearance by the Honourable Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion - Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) - Supplementary Estimates (B) 2020 to 2021 - Thursday, December 10, 2020 | 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On this page

• 1. Description and costing of ESDC COVID measures (announced) - November 16, 2020
• 2. 2020 Fall Economic Statement
• 3. Parliamentary background and analysis

1. Description and costing of ESDC COVID measures (announced) - November 16, 2020

Measure

Additional investment of $1.5B in the WDAs with PTs.

Target population

Canadians in underrepresented groups and those in sectors that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$1.5B

Payments to support provincial and territorial job training efforts Statutory Forecast $1.5B.

Measure

Waive the 1-week waiting period for EI sickness.

The waiting period was waived for EI sickness benefit claimants on quarantine starting on March 15, 2020. This measure was subsequently overtaken by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

• CERB provisions came into force retroactively as of March 15, 2020
• New claims for EI sickness benefits with an effective date on or after March 15, 2020 were processed for the CERB which had no waiting period

Starting on September 27, 2020, the waiting period is waived for all EI sickness benefit claimants for a period of 1 year, or until September 25, 2021.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals who are unable to work due to an injury, illness or quarantine.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

EI measures are not in the Estimates.

Measure

Work-Sharing Program: extending agreement duration from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers and workers affected by COVID-19 and other measures including:

• the mandatory waiting period (up to 38 weeks) between agreements was waived for eligible employers
• requirements for an employer recovery plan were reduced to a single line of text in the application form
• employers who have been in business for 1 year (rather than 2) are now deemed eligible to apply to the program
• eligibility was expanded to include Government Business Enterprises, public corporations (in other words, Transit Authorities/Universities) and not-for-profit organizations
• an enquiry unit (email) for clients affected by COVID-19 was created, providing responses to employer enquiries within 24 hours

This measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.

Since the special measures were introduced, over 3,700 Work-Sharing agreements have been approved, representing over 117,000 workers now supported by WS benefits. The cost of these agreements is over $1.3 Billion.

Target population

Businesses and workers.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$12M

EI measures are not in the Estimates.

Measure

Waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI benefits: the requirement to submit a medical certificate was waived for a period of 6 months for all EI claims beginning March 15, 2020 or later.

For EI sickness benefit claims starting on September 27, 2020, the requirement to submit a medical certificate is temporarily waived for a period of 1 year (or until September 25, 2021).

This was put in place to reduce the burden on the healthcare system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data is not available on the take-up of this measure.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals.

Accessible to all.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

EI measures are not in the Estimates.

Measure

Changes to EI for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons: We will allow these workers to establish a fishing benefits claim for the summer season based on their earnings in their current qualifying period or the earnings used to establish a summer fishing claim in 2018 or 2019, whichever is highest. The same approach will apply to the coming winter season.

Fishers also benefit from a $500 minimum benefit rate and can access EI fishing benefits with a minimum of $2,500 in self-employed fishing income.

Target population

EI-eligible individuals.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

EI measures are not in the Estimates.

Measure

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Ended.

We provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 28 weeks to eligible workers who stopped working or whose work hours were reduced due to COVID-19 or were eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or had exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.

We are continuing to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020.

If you continue to need financial support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Target population

All workers.

Accessible to all.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$88.5B

Adjustment to CERB Statutory Forecast $28.5B.

Total Statutory Forecast $88.5B.

Measure

Employment Insurance (EI) program

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we made temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.

As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:

• were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
• If you received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
• stopped working through no fault of your own
• have not quit your job voluntarily
• are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
• are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)

If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.

If you are not eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the new benefits:

• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Target population

EI-eligible individuals.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

EI measures are not in the Estimates.

Measure

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The CRB provides a benefit amount of $500 per week (available in 2-week periods) for up to 26 weeks for those who are not employed or self-employed and who are not eligible for EI, or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19.

Target population

Workers not eligible for EI.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

[Redacted].

Measure

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).

The CRSB provides.

$500 per week, for up to 2 weeks (available in 2 1-week periods), effective September 27, 2020 until September 25, 2021 for workers who:

• are unable to work because they contracted COVID-19
• stopped working for at least 50% of the week due to COVID-19 sickness reason
• self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that will make them more susceptible to COVID-19

Target population

Workers not currently in receipt of other benefits, including CRB, CRCB, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, any EI benefits, or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

[Redacted].

Measure

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• unable to work for at least 50% of the time that they would have otherwise worked or devoted to their work in the week for which they claim the benefit, because they had to care for a child under the age of 12 or another family member who requires supervised care:
  • because their school, daycare, day program, or facility that they normally attend is unavailable, closed or open only certain times or for certain individuals
  • because the care services or the person that usually cares for the child or family member is not available due to COVID-19
  • because they are sick and/or have been directed to quarantine for reasons related to COVID-19, or
  • because they are at high risk of serious health complications if they contracted COVID-19

Target population

Workers not currently in receipt of other benefits, including CRB, CRSB, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, any EI benefits, or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

[Redacted].

Measure

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program:

Key actions taken:

• exempted TFWs from entry restrictions into Canada (March 26)
• implemented flexibilities to enable timely access to foreign workers (March 26)
• developed and communicated new requirements for employers to safeguard the health of Canadians and foreign workers (March 27)
• extended the federal Migrant Worker Support Network pilot in B.C. to help temporary foreign workers affected by COVID-19 (April 11)
• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada announced the $50 million Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which will provide a maximum non-repayable contribution amount of up to $1,500 to employers for each temporary foreign worker arriving in Canada, to offset costs of new requirements on employers related to COVID-19 in key sectors (April 13)
• implemented regulatory amendments and launched inspections of employers on new requirements related to COVID-19 (April 20 and 24, respectively)
• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada launched “Step up to the Plate – Help Feed Canadians” initiative to encourage careers in the agri-food sector, and help match Canadians with jobs (April 21)
• launched post-quarantine inspections, which consist of inspections to assess COVID-19 conditions after the 14-day quarantine period (June 9)
• Service Canada launched an inspection pilot project, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Skills and Training and local health units to assess the living and working conditions on some farms where outbreaks have occurred (June-July)
• strengthened assessment criteria for all new and existing LMIA applications under review to help ensure Canadians have the first opportunity for available jobs (June 15)
• established a Mexico-Canada Contact Group to collaboratively and effectively respond to COVID-19 outbreaks (June 25)
• launched the Canadian Red Cross initiative to improve measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, and provide customized service to meet the basic needs of seasonal agriculture migrant workers exposed or infected (early July)
• established a Dedicated Liaison Officer on Integrity and Compliance to provide a focal point for consulates and migrant network groups to address employer non-compliance, and report on a regular basis regarding challenges and actions taken to address concerns (July 8)
• commenced processing LMIA fee refunds to employers who no longer need workers due to COVID-19 (July 11)
• announced an additional investment of $35 million to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. This funding, known as the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund, will support direct infrastructure improvements and emergency housing, as well as personal protective equipment, sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures (July 31)
• announced $6M to expand direct outreach to workers, delivered through migrant worker support organizations across Canada (July 31)
• announced $16.2M to strengthen the employer inspections regime, particularly on farms, and to improve how tips and allegations of employer non-compliance are addressed (such as by initiating an inspection). Implementation is underway, with the expectation that this funding will help to increase the number of inspections focusing on workplaces and workers vulnerable to COVID-19 (July 31)
• launched consultations on worker accommodations to develop minimum requirements to improve employer-provided accommodations, focusing on ensuring better living conditions for workers (October 27)

These measures help to advance efforts to address issues regarding COVID-19 by promoting jobs for Canadians and Permanent Residents, protecting the rights of foreign workers, and ensuring Program users receive transparent and efficient service.

Target population

Temporary Foreign Workers, Migrant worker support organizations and businesses who employ TFWs.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$4M for LMIA refunds.

Payments for the Temporary Foreign Work Program Statutory Forecast $4M.

Measure

Protecting the health and safety of farm workers

We are providing $35 million through the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. The funding will provide support to farmers for:

• direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing
• personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19

Target population

Temporary Foreign Workers.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$23.6M

TFW on Farms Statutory Forecast $15.5M.

Vote 1 $6.9M

EBP $1.2M

Total $23.6M

Measure

Canada Emergency Student Benefit

Financial support was provided to over 708,000 post-secondary students and recent graduates who could not find summer employment due to COVID-19.

Eligible students received $1,250 per month, plus an additional $750 per month if they had dependants or a disability for a maximum of $2,000 per month.

CESB was available from May to August, with applications being accepted retroactively to September 30

Target population

Post-secondary students and recent graduates.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$5.25B

Canada Emergency Student Benefit Statutory Forecast $5.25B.

Measure

Canada Student Loan Program – Repayment Moratorium

The Government of Canada temporarily paused the repayment of Canada Student Loans from March 30, 2020, until September 30, 2020. During this time, payments were not required and interest did not accrue.

Target population

Canada Student Loan borrowers.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$190M

Included as part of the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) Statutory Forecasts.

Measure

Double the Canada Student Grants: to up to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020 to 2021.The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants were also doubled.

No student or spousal contribution expected in 2020 to 2021, in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for school this year.

Increase the maximum weekly amount of Canada Student Loans from $210 to $350 for the 2020 to 2021 school year.

Taken together, these measures are expected to benefit more than 765,000 students in loan year 2020 to 2021 at an estimated cost of $1.9 billion.

Target population

Students from low- and middle-income households, students with permanent disabilities and students with dependants.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$1.9B

Included as part of the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) Statutory Forecasts.

Measure

Supports for Student Learning Program

• $15 million to help organizations that provide support to vulnerable children and youth to migrate their wraparound supports online while also increasing connectivity for vulnerable children and youth
• This funding will serve approximately 14,700 youth through supports to complete high school and transition to post-secondary education. A total of 7 agreements have been signed, and the full funding amount has been expended

Target population

Students and youth.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$15M

Included as part of the $459M Students and Youth Statutory Forecast below.

Measure

Creating new jobs and opportunities for youth

We are creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.

• On April 22 and June 25, 2020, announced a total additional investment of $187.7 million in the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to provide employment placements and skills development supports to up to 9,500 Canadian youth, in high-demand and critical sectors such as health, community services, and information technology.
• $40 million of this additional investment allocated to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program at Employment and Social Development, with a target to serve up to 4,000 more youth in 2020 to 2021. This funding is supporting a number of projects providing skills and employment opportunities for youth across Canada, including youth with mental health challenges. 

The Strategy is delivered by ESDC and 10 other federal departments and agencies, and aims to help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market

Student Work Placement Program

• On April 22 and June 25, 2020, announced a total additional investment of $266 million in the Student Work Placement Program to create 40,000 work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students in their field of study. Student Work Placement Program gives post-secondary students across Canada paid work experience related to their field of study
• ESDC works with Employer Delivery Partners, who work with businesses and post-secondary education institutions to: provide wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements; and create partnerships with colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEPs to recruit students for these placements

Target population

Students and youth.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$459M

Adjustment to Students and Youth Statutory Forecast ($269M).

Total Statutory Forecast $459M.

Measure

Changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program:

On June 25, an additional $61.7M in funding was announced for CSJ 2020 to support the creation of 10,000 additional jobs, expanding the CSJ 2020 work placement target from 70,000 to 80,000 jobs.

This is in addition to temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program introduced in April 2020, to allow employers to:

• receive an increased wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 % of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee
• extend the end date for employment to February 28, 2021
• adapt their projects and job activities
• hire staff on a part-time basis

Target population

Youth.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$61.7M

Included as part of the $459M Students and Youth Statutory Forecast above.

Measure

Extension of lay-off periods: We have extended time periods for temporary layoffs by up to 6 months in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Target population

All Canadians.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

N/A

Measure

Delivering Essential Services to those in need: Investment of $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need.

Target population

Vulnerable Canadians.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$350M

Emergency Community Support Fund Statutory Forecast $350M.

Measure

Increasing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB): $300 per child through the CCB for families currently receiving the CCB. This will mean approximately $550 on average per family.

This benefit was delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

Target population

Families.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

N/A

Measure

Supporting people experiencing homelessness: support to people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5 million through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy at the onset of the pandemic.

An additional investment of $236.7 million through Reaching Home was announced on September 21, 2020 to provide continued support to the homeless-serving sector in their efforts to reduce transmission and impacts of COVID-19 throughout the winter, as well as to support the provision of permanent housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness and prevent further inflows into homelessness.

Target population

Individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

Funding Decisions:

$158M

$237M

$15M (2019 to 2020).

Total $410M.

Canadians Experiencing Homelessness.

Statutory Forecast $237M.

Reaching Home Program Statutory Forecast $158M.

$15M of non-statutory Grants and Contributions funding was used to make payments in 2019 to 2020. Not in Supplementary Estimates B.

Measure

Helping address urgent housing needs of vulnerable individuals (CMHC)

We are introducing the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians by rapidly creating new affordable housing. This $1 billion initiative will cover the construction of modular housing, as well as the acquisition of land, and the conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing.

It is expected to enable the rapid creation of up to 3,000 new affordable housing units across the country and will help stimulate the economy.

Target population

Vulnerable Canadians.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

N/A

Measure

One-time payment for Seniors:

The Government provided a 1-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional tax-free payment of $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure provided a total of $500 to low-income seniors who receive both the OAS pension and the GIS. Allowance recipients also received $500. This $2.5 billion investment in financial support helped Canadian seniors cover increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial payments were issued during the week of July 6. Individuals who were eligible to receive the OAS pension or the GIS in June 2020 were eligible for this payment and did not need to apply.

After the initial payments were issued, there were a number of seniors who were found to be eligible for an OAS pension retroactively. As a result, a second series of 1-time payments was issued during the week of September 28.

Target population

Seniors.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$2.5B

Additional Support for Canadian Seniors Statutory Forecast $2.5B.

Measure

One Time Payment to Persons with Disabilities: We are providing a 1-time-, tax-free, non-reportable payment of up to $600 in recognition of the extraordinary expenses incurred by persons with disabilities during the pandemic. This will help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of any of the following programs or benefits:

• holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit
• beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:
• Canada Pension Plan Disability
  • Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension
  • Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada

Individuals have the opportunity to apply for the applied for the Disability Tax Credit by December 31, 2020 and if eligible can receive the 1 time payment. Seniors with disabilities who received the one-time seniors payment announced on May 12, 2020 may also be eligible for the 1-time payment to persons with disabilities. In cases where they are eligible for both payments, individuals would receive a total amount of $600 as follows:

• $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and who received the 1-time seniors payment of $300
• $100 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowances and who received the 1-time senior’s payment of $500

Target population

People with disabilities.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$849M

One-time payment for Persons with Disabilities Statutory Forecast $849M.

Measure

Providing resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs: A new investment of $15 million in 2020 to 2021 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.

Target population

Persons with disabilities.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$15M

Payments to Support Persons with Disabilities Statutory Forecast $15M.

Measure

Supporting organizations that provide essential services to seniors: We are contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports.

Target population

Seniors.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$9M

Not in Supplementary Estimates B.

Paid in 2019 to 2020.

Measure

New flexibilities under the New Horizons for Seniors Program: We are expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.

• For all organizations who received funding under the 2019 to 2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream, funding can be used to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19

Target population

Seniors.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

$20M

New Horizons for Seniors Statutory Forecast $20M.

Measure

Extending GIS and Allowance payments: Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been received. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. Seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible in order to avoid an interruption in benefit payments.

Target population

Seniors.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

N/A

Measure

COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group: The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group, comprised of experts in disability inclusion, to provide advice on: the lived experiences of persons with disabilities during this crisis; along with disability-specific issues; challenges and systemic gaps; and strategies, measures and steps to be taken in response, in keeping with a “Nothing Without Us” approach.

Target population

Persons with disabilities.

Funding decision / Supplementary Estimates B

N/A

2. 2020 Fall Economic Statement

Issue

Fall Economic Statement – ESDC measures

Suggested Response

• The Government of Canada has taken immediate, significant and decisive actions to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the pandemic
• As outlined in the Fall Economic Statement, fighting COVID-19 and supporting Canadians through the pandemic is our top priority. As such, the Government made a number of additional commitments to support Canadians
• Specifically, the Government proposes to:

Skills and Training

• invest an additional $274.2 million over 2 years, starting in 2021 to 2022 to support those hit hardest by the pandemic, including marginalized and racialized women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and recent newcomers to Canada. This funding will support the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, and the Women’s Employment Readiness Canada pilot project

Youth

• support up to 120,000 job placements through Canada Summer Jobs in 2021 to 2022 – an increase of 40,000 from 2020 to 2021 levels, including providing approximately $447.5 million in new investments in the program next year
• invest $575.3 million over the next 2 years in the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to provide approximately 45,300 job placements for young people

Students

• eliminate the interest on repayment of the federal portion of the Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans for 2021 to 2022

Homelessness

• provide additional funding of $299.4 million in 2021 to 2022 through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in shelters. Funding will also help prevent at-risk Canadians from becoming homeless by supporting targeted interventions that enable people to stay housed

Families and Children

• introduce temporary support totaling up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 for low- and middle income families who are entitled to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), in order to provide immediate relief for families with young children
• provide equivalent temporary quarterly payments of $300 for each child under the age of 6 in respect of whom a Children’s Special Allowance is paid

Early Learning and Child Care

• in order to sustain the progress made in collaboration with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to date, the government is proposing to make existing funding permanent at 2027 to 2028 levels by providing $870 million per year and ongoing, starting in 2028 to 2029. Of this amount, $210 million would support Indigenous early learning and child care programming
• provide $20 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022 for a Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) to help bring governments, experts and stakeholders together to collaborate in designing and implementing this new child care vision for Canada
• furthermore, the Government is also proposing to invest $70 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, and $15 million ongoing to sustain the existing federal Indigenous ELCC Secretariat, and to help build Indigenous governance capacity and support Indigenous participation in the development of a Canada-wide system

Early Childhood Educator Workforce

• provide $420 million in 2021 to 2022 for provinces and territories to support attraction and retention of these workers, such as through grants and bursaries for students studying early childhood education
• invest $75 million in 2021 to 2022 to improve the quality and accessibility of Indigenous child care programs. This would enable providers to take steps to improve the retention of Indigenous early childhood educators and to offer more flexible and extended hours of care

Service to Canadians

• support frontline service delivery, including through the safe reopening of in-person Service Canada Centres. Funding will support delivery of Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, including Work-Sharing Benefits
• provide sustainable funding for 1-800 O-Canada and Canada.ca, and to help reduce barriers in accessing government services and benefits in northern and remote communities in order to improve its ability to reach all Canadians

Integrity

• improve the integrity of Government programs, we are providing funding to increase the capacity to detect, investigate and address cases of fraud or misrepresentation related to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Background

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program

• during co-development of the implementation of the ISET program, Indigenous service organizations and leadership have consistently stressed the need for dedicated capacity support, and the challenges faced in serving their clients living out of territory and in urban areas, as well as the need to provide additional resources to support the fast growing youth population, and persons with disabilities
• Many Indigenous youth face unique circumstances that present barriers to employment, including lower high school completion rates, housing and food insecurity, and the physical and mental health effects of intergenerational trauma from colonization and residential schools. The 2017 final report of the Government`s Expert Panel on Youth Employment placed emphasis on helping Indigenous youth improve their skills and get a foothold in the job market. From April 2010 to March 2019, 273,133 youth clients (57% of total clients) were served under the ISET Program`s predecessor, the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Strategy (ASETS)

Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP)

• Since 2003, the FCRP works with P/Ts and regulatory bodies to enhance FCR processes (for example, standardized national exams, centralized information portals, alternative assessment processes). Over the years, the FCRP helped approximately 50 regulated occupations improve their FCR processes, reducing time, steps and complexity for skilled newcomers attempting to get their credentials recognized
• Recently, the FCRP expanded its scope by funding immigrant-serving agencies to provide direct employment supports to skilled newcomers through repayable loans (to help cover FCR costs) and employment supports (for example, training, mentoring, job placements), which has led to improved program outcomes (for example, faster integration into the labour market, higher income and employment rates)

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

• The Opportunities Fund provides supports for PWDS with various and multiple disabilities to ensure that board intersectional issues are taken into consideration

Women’s Employment Readiness Canada

• This new program will launch a series of projects to test effective training and employment approaches to ensure that marginalized women receive the employment supports and training that will position them to successfully integrate into the labour market
• This initiative is aligned with other priorities of the government such as Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the LGBTQ+ secretariat, as well as the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and the Action Plan for Women in the Economy Action announced in the Speech from the Throne

Canada Summer Jobs/Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

• The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is delivered by ESDC under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). The CSJ program objectives align with the redesigned Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and are as follows:
• providing quality work experiences for youth in jobs
• responding to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers
• providing opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills
• In the context of the modernization of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, the eligibility criteria was broadened in 2019 to include all youth (as opposed to just students). Furthermore, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary program changes were made to facilitate access to the program for employers and youth

Post-Secondary Education

• The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that post-secondary education is affordable and student debt is manageable, especially in these challenging times
• On November 30, 2020, the Government announced in its Fall Economic Statement that it will reduce debt by eliminating interest on the federal portion of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans for the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year. At a cost of $329.4 million, this will provide relief to up to 1.4 million Canadians who are looking for work or otherwise in the early stages of their careers

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

• Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is designed to support the goals of the National Housing Strategy, in particular, to support the most vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by 2027 to 2028. The 2020 Speech from the Throne further committed to entirely eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada
• On April 4, 2020, the Government of Canada announced $157.5M to address the needs of Canadians experiencing homelessness through the Reaching Home program. The funding could be used for a variety of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters. On September 21, 2020, the Government of Canada announced it would provide an additional $236.7 million through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy to help extend and expand the emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Canada Child Benefit

• The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a non-taxable benefit that is paid monthly and provides support for eligible families with children under the age of 18. The CCB is based on adjusted family net income with the benefit phase-out rate depending on the number of children in the family. For the 2020 to 2021 benefit year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021), the CCB provides a maximum benefit of $6,765 per child under the age of 6 and $5,708 per child aged 6 through 17. Families with less than $31,711 in adjusted net income in 2019 receive the maximum benefit for the 2020 to 2021 benefit year. The phase-out rates and income thresholds are indexed to inflation annually

Early Learning and Childcare

• Budgets 2016 and 2017 committed $7.5 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017 to 2018, including $5.5 billion for P/Ts, $1.8 billion for IELCC, and $195 million, over 10 years, for investments in child care innovation and data. Federal, provincial and territorial governments (except Quebec^{Footnote 1}) reached a historic agreement on a Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework in June 2017. Similarly, the co-developed IELCC Framework was jointly released with the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapariit Kanatami and the Métis National Council in September 2018
• The significant investment provided through these agreements helped the Government of Canada meet its target of creating up to 40,000 more affordable child care spaces nationally 1 year ahead of schedule, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, despite this recent progress, the accessibility and quality of child care remains inconsistent across the country
• The 2020 Speech from the Throne recognized the importance of child care services for women’s social and economic equality, committing to make a significant, long-term, sustained investment to create an accessible, affordable, inclusive and high quality Canada-wide ELCC system and to subsidize before- and after-school program costs

Integrity

• More than 3.7 million EI ERB claims have been processed since the benefit was introduced as a COVID emergency measure in March 2020, a significantly higher volume than the 2.9 million EI claims typically processed annually
• The primary goal of the Government during the pandemic was to provide Canadians with the income support they needed rapidly, totaling $22.3 billion in benefits being paid to Canadians. The integrity function was shifted primarily to post-payment validation measures, with limited up-front control, to reduce processing and payment delays. As a result, the risk of fraud is much higher with the EI ERB, as compared to traditional EI processing. Post-payment integrity validation activities began in 2020 to 2021 to validate clients’ EI ERB eligibility

Prepared by

Name: Marebame Longe

Title: Special Advisor, Strategic and Service Policy Branch (SSPB)

Key contact

Name: Colin Spencer James

Title: Director General, Strategic and Horizontal Policy, SSPB

Phone number: 613-240-0691

Approved by

Name: Catherine Adam

Title: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Service Policy Branch

Phone number: 613-866-6843

Date

Date approved in SADMO: December 4, 2020

3. Parliamentary background and analysis

Official title: Appearance by the Honourable Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion - Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) Supplementary Estimates (B) 2020 to 2021 - Thursday, December 10, 2020 | 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1. Background

On November 4, 2020, you testified before HUMA on the Main Estimates 2020 to 2021. The Committee expressed an interest in inviting you to discuss the subject matter of Supplementary Estimates 2020 to 2021 (B) before the House rises on December 11. On December 10, you will appear for 1 hour and departmental senior officials will also attend. They will remain available to the committee for an additional hour of questioning.

As you are aware, the House of Commons completed the financial procedures related to the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates through the introduction of 2 appropriation bills authorizing the necessary funds on the evening of Monday, December 7.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity to Committee Members to continue the discussion on the planned government spending included in the Supplementary Estimates (B). It is also an opportunity to ask further details on the Fiscal and Economic Statement announced on November 30 for items related to your mandate.

The Committee also invited your colleague, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to appear on December 8 on Supplementary Estimates.

2. Committee Proceedings

HUMA is composed of 12 MPs. In the current minority Parliament, the Government does not hold the majority at HUMA. The newly elected Chair is Liberal MP Sean Casey and 2 Vice-Chairs CPC MP Peter Kent and BQ MP Louise Chabot. Mr. Kent and Ms. Chabot are Employment Critics.

Other members are:

• Han Dong (Lib)
• Rosemarie Falk (CPC)
• Leah Gazan (NDP)
• Wayne Long (Lib)
• Jamie Schmale (CPC)
• Ryan Turnbull (Lib)
• Adam Vaughan (Lib)
• Brad Vis (CPC)
• Kate Young (Lib)

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses would be allocated as follows:

The first round of questioning:

• 6 minutes for the Conservative Party
• 6 minutes for the Liberal Party
• 6 minutes for the Bloc Quebecois
• 6 minutes for the New Democratic Party

For the second and subsequent rounds of questioning:

• 5 minutes for the Conservative Party
• 5 minutes for the Liberal Party
• 2.5 minutes for the Bloc Quebecois
• 2.5 minutes for the New Democratic Party
• 5 minutes for the Conservative Party
• 5 minutes for the Liberal Party

3. Parliamentary and media analysis

In addition to questions specific to items included in the Supplementary Estimates documents, you may receive questions from opposition party members related to the following:

Canadians with disabilities

ESDC has played a significant role in developing innovative measures to help Canadians financially through the pandemic. In general, these measures received support from opposition parties. At the November 4 meeting, BQ Member Louise Chabot asked you if the Government is planning to provide additional help to Canadians with disabilities. You answered that a decision had not been made but that discussions were ongoing. In light of the Economic and Fiscal Statement announced on November 30 and in recognition to the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, Ms. Chabot might be interested in asking additional questions and whether the Government will commit to added measures for vulnerable Canadians including those living with disabilities in the anticipated 2021 federal budget. NDP Member Leah Gazan may also used the opportunity to ask you about committing to a guaranteed basic income as a means to help vulnerable Canadians out of poverty.

Reports - Parliamentary Budget Officer

The Parliamentary Budget Officer, Yves Giroux, recently released reports on the Supplementary Estimates, the Main Estimates and an update to a July 24 report on Government’s policy of allowing employees to use pay code 699 paid leave for other reasons. Mr. Giroux expressed concern that the information needed to track the Government’s COVID-19 relief spending is lacking. At OGGO, CPC Members continued to express concern over the number of public servants still using leave code 699 for work limitations when the government has been clear that all public servants should have remote access. ESDC is 1 of the Departments with the highest number of hours used under leave code 699. The PBO also commented on the low morale he has observed in the public service, particularly in the areas that are responding directly to the pandemic. Of note, when asked for his opinion, the PBO offered observations on the fact that it was unusual for a large program like the CSSG not to be approved through a Treasury Board submission. Questions related to his reports could be raised at the December 10 hearing.

Fiscal and Economic Update: Skills and Training

The Fiscal and Economic Update included a commitment to invest in Creating Opportunities for Youth, acknowledging that young people continue to suffer disproportionate economic among other impacts due to COVID-19. You may be asked to provide more details on what the government proposes to build on the employment, job skills development and educational supports provided to youth and students over the summer.

Fiscal and Economic Update: Students

During the pandemic, the Government made a number of announcements to help students, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which were designed to provide assistance to students affected by the COVID-19 crisis. On November 30, the Government proposed to reduce student debt by eliminating interest on the federal portion of the Canada student loan and Canada apprentice loan for 2021 to 2022. The NDP might argue that more measures needs to be done for students struggling to find employment in this pandemic and suggest that the next federal budget in 2021 includes a wealth tax.