HUMA Committee binder: Deputy Minister Flack March 11 2021

Full title: Appearance of 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) - March 11, 2021

On this page

1. Speaking notes

Full title: Speaking Notes for the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough Appearance before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) - Bill C-24, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19 - March XX, 2021

Check Against Delivery

2021 PA 0221

Mr. Chair and Committee members, thank you for inviting me to join you today as part of your study of Bill C-24. I would like to acknowledge that I am joining you from the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations.

I am happy to provide you with some context and to answer any questions you may have.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has been there for Canadian workers and their families. Through a number of support measures, we have helped them stay healthy, safe and financially solvent.

Our first support program—the Canada Emergency Response Benefit—helped nearly 9 million Canadians between March and September 2020.

And among other supports, we also provided financial assistance to students and persons with disabilities.

Last fall, we laid out our plan to continue to support Canadians during the pandemic.

We transitioned from the CERB to a simplified Employment Insurance program.

At the same time, Parliament unanimously passed the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to provide income support to workers who weren’t eligible for EI but whose employment continued to be impacted by COVID-19.

At the time, we said we’d monitor the labour market and make adjustments as needed.

Even though there is a light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines, we’re still in a crisis. The pandemic and prolonged public health measures to address its impact have resulted in difficult circumstances for many workers and their families.

Bill C-24 responds to this reality. 

Bill C-24 would make important amendments to the Employment Insurance Act that would permit the Government of Canada to temporarily increase the maximum number of weeks available under EI regular benefits.

Workers claiming EI regular benefits would be eligible for up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Additionally, self-employed workers would be able to access EI special benefits with an earnings threshold of $5,000 in 2020, compared to the previously set threshold of $7,555. This change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021, and would apply until September 25, 2021.

And as announced on February 19th, the Government of Canada would make complementary regulatory changes to increase the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit. Canadians would then be able to access a maximum of 38 weeks under each of these benefits.

The Government would also increase the maximum number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit from 2 to 4 weeks.

Bill C-24 would also close what has become known as the “travellers’ loophole” and would prevent those travelling for non-essential purposes from using any of the recovery benefits to pay for their time in quarantine or isolation. This change would be retroactive to October 2, 2020, when the Canada Recovery Benefits Act became law.

Conclusion

Taken together, the changes proposed through Bill C-24 will help Canadians bridge the gap between now and the end of the pandemic.

There is some urgency. Without these proposed changes, Canadians could begin to use up their benefits by the end of March.

Let’s work together across party lines to get this done and ensure people have the support they need to get them through.

I would now be pleased to answer any questions you might have.

- 30 –

2. Bill C-24

Government Bill (House of Commons) C-24 (43-2) - First Reading - An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19 - Parliament of Canada

3. Overview

Bill C-24 - An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19

The Act would amend the Employment Insurance Act (EI Act) in order to, temporarily, increase the duration of the Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits and facilitate access to EI special benefits for self-employed workers. The proposed legislation would:

  • increase EI regular benefit entitlements to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021, and
  • lower the threshold that registered self-employed workers must meet to qualify for EI special benefits from $7,555 to $5,000 in self-employment earnings in 2020 for claims established by self-employed workers during the period between January 3, 2021 and September 25, 2021

The Act would also amend the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (CRB Act) to add a new eligibility condition so that people who are required to quarantine or isolate under any order made under the Quarantine Act upon their return to Canada will not be eligible to receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) or the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) during the period of their quarantine or isolation. The proposed legislation would:

  • provide an exemption for those travelling to receive necessary medical treatment or to those who accompany someone who is travelling to receive necessary medical treatment and requires assistance
  • provide an exemption to travellers who need to isolate but would otherwise have been exempt from quarantine, and
  • come into effect retroactively on October 2, 2020

Finally, the Act would amend:

  • the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to provide an authority to the Minister of Health to assist the Minister of Employment and Social Development in verifying whether a person who applies for a CRB, CRSB or CRCB meets the new eligibility criteria, and to allow the Minister of Health to disclose personal information obtained under the Quarantine Act in respect of any person who is required to quarantine or isolate themselves under any order made under that Act, and
  • the Customs Act to provide customs information relating to the movement of people in and out of Canada to the Minister of ESDC for the purpose of administering or enforcing the Canada Recovery Benefits Act

4. Key messages

Bill C-24

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19

Issue

Amending the Employment Insurance Act to temporarily increase the maximum number of weeks of Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits for claims established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021, and to lower the earnings threshold for self-employed workers participating in the EI program to access EI special benefits until September 25, 2021. These changes would respond to the continued impact of the pandemic on the employment and self-employment of workers.

Amending the Canada Recovery Benefits Act and the Customs Act to close the loophole that allowed people to access the recovery benefits upon their return to Canada by restricting eligibility to the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit for certain people during their period of quarantine or isolation.

Talking points

Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act

  • The Government of Canada recognizes that some workers continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and require ongoing income support
  • That is why the Government is proposing legislation that would increase the number of weeks available for EI regular benefits to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021
  • These changes to the Employment Insurance Act would ensure that workers who could begin to exhaust their EI regular benefits as early as March 27, 2021 would continue to have access to income support until there is greater economic recovery
  • This Bill also proposes to allow self-employed workers who have opted into the EI program to access EI special benefits with a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to previously established threshold of $7,555. This change would apply for claims established between January 3, 2021 and September 25, 2021
  • The proposed legislative change to increase the number of weeks available for EI regular benefits would be complemented by other changes the Government of Canada intends to make to the Recovery benefits by regulations. These measures will increase the number of weeks available for recipients of the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) from 26 weeks to 38 weeks and increase the maximum duration for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) from 2 weeks to 4 weeks
  • Through regulatory changes to the maximum length of the leave related to COVID-19 under the Canada Labour Code, the Government would also ensure that federally regulated private sector employees continue to have access to the job-protected leave required to use the additional weeks of CRCB and CRSB

Amendments to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act and the Customs Act

  • In addition, the Government of Canada is proposing legislative amendments to close the loophole that allowed people to access the recovery benefits upon their return to Canada 
  • Since March 2020, the Government of Canada has been advising against non-essential international travel to mitigate the spread of COVID-19
  • Despite the clear public health advice, some Canadians are travelling and may be benefitting from the recovery benefits during the period of mandatory quarantine or isolation imposed when they return to Canada
  • This Bill will add a new eligibility requirement so that people who return from international travel and are required to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada are not eligible to receive the recovery benefits for the period during which they are required to quarantine or isolate
  • The Government of Canada is providing an exemption from this new eligibility requirement to those who travel for medically necessary treatment or accompany someone who is travelling for such treatment but requires assistance
  • In addition, those who are required to isolate upon their return to Canada but would have otherwise been exempt from having to quarantine, will also be able to access the recovery benefits during their period of isolation
  • Individuals would be able to claim the recovery benefits for subsequent periods after the last week in which they have served the mandatory quarantine or isolation period, if they meet the eligibility criteria
  • The amendment to the Customs Act would support the administration and enforcement of the new requirement

5. Clause-by-clause

Bill C-24

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19

Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act

Clause 1

This clause amends the Employment Insurance Act (EI Act) to temporarily set to 50, the maximum number of weeks for which regular benefits may be paid to an Employment Insurance (EI) claimant.

This clause specifies that the new maximum of 50 weeks applies to all claimants whose EI benefit period begins or has begun between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021, including claimants under the pilot project No. 21 relating to increased weeks of benefits for seasonal workers established under the Employment Insurance Regulations.

The clause provides that the increase in the number of weeks of benefits applies only to EI regular benefits paid under Part I of the EI Act. It does not apply to special benefits (the maximum number of weeks for which are set out under subsection 12(3) of the EI Act) nor to fishing benefits (the maximum number of weeks for which are set out under the Employment Insurance (Fishing) Regulations).

This clause also specifies that the total number of weeks of EI benefits (regular plus special benefits) that may be collected by a claimant who has received regular benefits during a benefit period is 50.

Clause 2

This clause amends the EI Act to temporarily lower the threshold that registered self-employed workers must meet to qualify for EI special benefits from $7,555 to $5,000 in self-employment earnings in 2020 for claims established by self-employed workers during the period between January 3, 2021 and September 25, 2021.

Clause 3

This clause amends the EI Act to provide that a self-employed individual who would not have qualified to receive EI special benefits before the introduction of clause 2 has good cause for a delay in making a claim for those benefits and shall be considered as having made a claim on an earlier day.

Amendments to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act

Clause 4

This clause adds a condition of eligibility and indicates that to be eligible for the Canada Recovery Benefit for a 2-week period, a person must not have been, at any time during that 2-week period, required to quarantine or isolate under an order made under the Quarantine Act as a result of entering into Canada, unless:

  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to receive medical treatment certified to be necessary by a medical practitioner, or
  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to accompany a person who was travelling to receive such treatment and was certified by a medical practitioner to be unable to travel without assistance, or
  • if they were required to isolate as a result of entering into Canada, they are a person who would have otherwise been exempt from having to quarantine

Clause 5

This clause amends the attestation requirement so that all persons who submit an application on or after January 11, 2021 must attest that they meet the new eligibility condition from Clause 4.

Clause 6

This clause adds a condition of eligibility and indicates that to be eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit for a 1-week period, a person must not have been, at any time during that 1-week period, required to quarantine or isolate under an order made under the Quarantine Act as a result of entering into Canada, unless:

  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to receive medical treatment certified to be necessary by a medical practitioner, or
  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to accompany a person who was travelling to receive such treatment and was certified by a medical practitioner to be unable to travel without assistance, or
  • if they were required to isolate as a result of entering into Canada, they are a person who would have otherwise been exempt from having to quarantine

Clause 7

This clause amends the attestation requirement so that all persons who submit an application on or after January 11, 2021 must attest that they meet the new eligibility condition from Clause 6.

Clause 8

This clause adds a condition of eligibility and indicates that to be eligible for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit for a 1-week period, a person must not have been, at any time during that 1-week period, required to quarantine or isolate under an order made under the Quarantine Act as a result of entering into Canada, unless:

  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to receive medical treatment certified to be necessary by a medical practitioner, or
  • the only reason for being out of Canada was to accompany a person who was travelling to receive such treatment and was certified by a medical practitioner to be unable to travel without assistance, or
  • if they were required to isolate as a result of entering into Canada, they are a person who would have otherwise been exempt from having to quarantine

Clause 9

This clause amends the attestation requirement so that all persons who submit an application on or after January 11, 2021 must attest that they meet the new eligibility condition from Clause 8.

Clause 10

This clause provides the Minister of Health the authority to assist the Minister of Employment and Social Development with the verification that a person meets the new eligibility conditions and may disclose to that Minister, for that purpose, personal quarantine or isolation information obtained under the Quarantine Act.  This information includes name and date of birth as the information necessary to identify the person, and date of entry into Canada and date of the last day of quarantine or isolation as information regarding that person’s period of quarantine or isolation.

Amendments to the Customs Act

Clause 11

This clause indicates that access to customs information relating to the movement of people in and out of Canada may be provided to an official of the Department of Employment and Social Development for the purpose of administering or enforcing the Canada Recovery Benefits Act.

Coming into Force

Clause 12

This clause provides that the new eligibility conditions would come into force retroactively on October 2, 2020.

Clauses 1 to 3, 10 and 11 would come into force on the date of Royal Assent.

6. Questions and answers

Bill C-24

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (additional regular benefits), the Canada Recovery Benefits Act (restriction on eligibility) and another Act in response to COVID-19

Increasing the Number of Weeks of Employment Insurance (EI) Regular Benefits

Q1. What is this Bill’s objective with respect to changes to the Employment Insurance Act?

A1. Many Canadian workers require ongoing income support as the labour market continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this Bill proposes to amend the Employment Insurance (EI) Act to increase the maximum number of weeks available for EI claimants for regular benefit claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.

The changes proposed by the Government in this Bill will ensure that EI claimants who could begin to exhaust their regular benefits as early as March 27, 2021 will not suffer from a gap in income supports.

In addition, this Bill will facilitate access to EI special benefits for self-employed workers participating on the EI program by lowering the 2020 earnings threshold to $5,000, compared to the previously established threshold of $7,555. This change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021 and would apply until September 25, 2021.

Q2. What is the plan to deal with Canadians who are in need of additional weeks of recovery benefits?

A2. The Government will also increase the number of weeks available to recipients of the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) through regulation. This change will extend the maximum duration of these benefits from 26 weeks to 38 weeks until September 25, 2021.

In addition, through regulation the Government will increase the maximum number of weeks available to recipients of the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) from 2 to 4 weeks. In order to ensure employees in the federally regulated private sector can access the additional weeks of benefits without fear of losing their jobs, the Government will also make regulations to extend the maximum length of job-protected leave related to COVID-19 under the Canada Labour Code to align with the extensions to CRCB and CRSB. 

If asked about when the 12-weeks extension for the CRB and CRCB will end:

The CRB and the CRCB are available to workers until September 25, 2021. Workers who claimed these benefits consecutively since the launch on September 27, 2020 would begin to exhaust the current maximum of 26 weeks by March 27, 2021.

The proposed extension of an additional 12 weeks to the CRB and CRCB through regulation would provide income support for these workers until June 19, 2021.

If asked about why the Government is making changes to the Canada Labour Code:

The Government is extending the maximum length of the leave related to COVID-19 under the Canada Labour Code to ensure employees in the federally regulated private sector have access to the job-protected leave they need to avail themselves of the additional weeks of CRCB and CRSB.

This would allow employees to take up to 38 weeks of job-protected leave if they are unable to work due to caregiving responsibilities related to COVID‑19, and up to 4 weeks of leave, as many time as necessary, if they are sick or self-isolating due to COVID-19.

If asked about whether provinces and territories need to amend their COVID-19 related leaves of absence as a result of the proposed changes to the CRSB and CRCB:

The Government of Canada will continue to engage with provinces and territories on supports required for Canadians during this difficult time and to explain the proposed new changes to the benefits, allowing them to determine whether there is a need to amend their existing leaves to align with the changes.

Q3. Why is there a difference between the number of weeks available for EI regular benefits claimants and Canada Recovery Benefit recipients?

A3. Currently, EI regular benefits claimants can benefit from 26 to 45 weeks of income support. This Bill would increase the maximum number of weeks for these claimants to 50 weeks.

The Government is also proposing to extend the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit by 12 weeks to a maximum of 38 weeks through regulations to ensure non-EI eligible workers also continue to have support during this difficult time.  We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure people have access to adequate support.

Q4. What is the estimated number of people that could be helped as a result of the extensions to the EI regular benefits and the Recovery benefits?

A4. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million people would be helped by the extensions to EI regular benefits and suite of three Recovery Benefits.

Q5. What happens if the legislation (and regulations) for the increase in weeks for the EI regular benefits (and recovery benefits) are not finalized before some people exhaust benefits?

A5. The Government’s plan is to move forward as quickly as possible with the necessary legislative (and regulatory) changes so that there is seamless extension of the benefits for Canadian workers.

The Government will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that Canadian workers have access to support. However, the additional benefits cannot be paid until there is legislative (and regulatory) approval for the changes.

Q6. Will the application process change due to the increase in the number of weeks of EI regular benefits?

A6. No. There will be no change to the application process for EI regular benefits (and the Recovery benefits). Service Canada will automatically add the extra weeks to existing claims.

If asked about the application process for Recovery benefits:

Recipients of the recovery benefits will be able to continue applying for the additional weeks for the CRB, CRCB and CRSB through the Canada Revenue Agency which delivers these benefits.

Q7. What is the Government’s plan for EI if the economy has still not recovered by September?

A7. This Bill proposes EI changes that would be in place until September 2021. The Government of Canada would need to bring forward new proposals to address the period after September 2021, otherwise the usual parameters of the EI program would apply.

Q8. If we choose to extend EI benefits, how can we ensure the extension does not create a disincentive for recipients to return to work?

A8. An extension to the maximum number of weeks available for EI regular benefits is required to provide support to workers at a time when COVID-19 continues to affect employment and the path to economic recovery. There is no proposal, however, to change the requirement in the EI program that EI regular benefit claimants are required to look for and accept reasonable jobs offers. If the tide turns and economic recovery occurs more quickly, we can expect that some EI claimants will find new jobs or be able to return to their previous employment.

Q9. What is known about the impact of these benefits so far? Is $500 per week enough, too much?

A9. The EI replacement rate usually in place in the EI program is designed to provide partial (about 55%) income replacement so that a worker is incentivized to quickly find work, while also receiving adequate support during their job search. In 2019 to 2020, the average weekly benefit rate for EI regular benefit claimants was $483.

Although temporary measures were introduced, effective September 27, 2020, to the EI program to facilitate access as part of the Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, including the $500 minimum benefit rate, there was no change to the requirement that EI claimants receiving regular benefits are required to look for and accept reasonable job offers.

Q10. To date, how many people have received benefits since the transition from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?

A10. The EI benefits and the Recovery benefits have provided income support to millions of Canadian workers since the application processes opened last October.

As of February 14, 2021:

  • there were 2,045,250 active EI regular benefit claimants

If asked about how many people have received the Recovery benefits:

  • over 1.7 million workers have accessed CRB
  • 334,000 workers benefitted from the CRCB, and
  • 392,000 received the CRSB

Q11. Do the changes to the EI Act also impact people applying for special benefits and fishing benefits?

A11. The proposed amendments to the EI Act in the Bill would provide EI claimants with access to additional weeks of EI regular benefits for claims established between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. The Bill would not change the entitlements for claimants to EI special benefits or EI fishing benefits.

Q12. What is the impact of the extension on the EI rules for combining regular and special benefits?

A12. The Bill proposes to increase the number of weeks of regular benefits and does not modify the rules governing the combination of benefits. The maximum number of weeks that can be paid on a claim is 50 weeks when an EI claimant combines regular and special benefits.

Q13. Why are self-employed fishers not eligible to receive additional weeks of EI regular benefits?

A13. Regular benefits and fishing benefits have separate rules and eligibility under the EI program. Temporary measures for self-employed fishers facilitating access to EI fishing benefits were put in place on September 27, 2020 and will remain in effect until September 25, 2021.

These measures allow self-employed fishers to establish a fishing benefits claim based on their earnings in their current qualifying period, or the earnings used to establish a fishing claim of the same type from 1 of the 2 previous years, whichever is highest.

This means that fishers who fished during 2 seasons (summer and winter) in the last 2 years can receive up to 52 weeks of EI in the year.

Self-employed fishers can also temporarily qualify for EI regular benefits with 120 hours of insurable employment.

Q14. How will the seasonal claimants eligible to extra weeks under the pilot project be impacted by the extension of EI regular benefit entitlements?

A14. Under the proposed amendments to the EI Act, seasonal claimants eligible for pilot project No. 21 will also be eligible for the increased number of weeks of entitlement to EI regular benefits, up to a maximum of 50 weeks.

If asked what happens to seasonal workers participating in the pilot project No. 21 after September 25, 2021:

After September 25, 2021, and until October 30, 2021, seasonal workers participating in pilot project No. 21 will be eligible to the additional 5 weeks of regular benefits available thought the pilot, up to a maximum of 45 weeks.

Q15. What is the estimated cost for the EI changes?

A15. The estimated cost for extending EI regular benefits and lowering the self-employed threshold is $5.4 billion.

(The estimated cost for extending the 3 recovery benefits is $6.7 billion. The total cost of the EI changes and the Recovery benefits is close to $12.1 billion.)

Facilitated Access to EI Special Benefits for Self-Employed Workers Participating in the EI Program

Q16. What are the current and proposed eligibility requirements for self-employed workers who are participating in the EI program to qualify for EI special benefits?

A16. Self-employed workers can receive EI special benefits if they:

  • have opted in to the EI program at least 1 full year before claiming EI benefits
  • have decreased the amount of time spent on their business by more than 40% for at least 1 week
  • have earned a minimum amount in self-employment earnings during the previous taxation year, and
  • meet requirements for the benefit type they are claiming

Under current rules, for claims in 2021, self-employed workers must have earned a minimum of $7,555 in self-employment earnings in 2020.

Under the proposed changes, self-employed workers participating in the EI program would temporarily be able to access EI special benefits with a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to previously established threshold of $7,555. This threshold change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021 and would apply until September 25, 2021.

Q17. Why is the eligibility threshold only decreased until September 25, 2021 if self-employed persons’ eligibility is based on their 2020 earnings whenever they make a claim in 2021?

A17. The effective period for this change aligns with the end date of the other temporary changes to the EI program.

Changes to the Recovery Benefits Eligibility Rules for Travellers

Q18. Why is the Government proposing changes at this time to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act?

A18. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has strongly urged Canadians to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The recovery benefits – the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit – were created to provide income support to eligible workers who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. They were never intended to provide support to Canadians who travel internationally and are then required to quarantine or isolate as a result.

These amendments will close this loophole by adding a new eligibility condition to ensure that people who are required to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada will not be eligible to receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit or the Canada Recovery Benefit during the period of their quarantine or isolation.

An exemption would apply for those travelling to receive a medically necessary treatment or to accompany someone who is travelling for such treatment but requires assistance.

In addition, people who need to isolate but would otherwise have been exempt from quarantine will maintain their eligibility for the recovery benefits.

Q19. What changes are being proposed through the amendments to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act?

A19. These amendments are adding a new eligibility condition so that people who are required to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada will not be eligible to receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit or the Canada Recovery Benefit during the period of their quarantine or isolation.

An exemption would apply for those travelling to receive a medically necessary treatment or to accompany someone who is travelling for such treatment but requires assistance, so that they continue to be eligible for the benefits if they meet other eligibility criteria.

In addition, people who need to isolate but would otherwise have been exempt from quarantine will maintain their eligibility for the recovery benefits.

These changes would come into effect retroactively on October 2, 2020.

Amendments are also being proposed to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act and the Customs Act to allow information on quarantine or isolation and information on people entering Canada to be shared with Employment and Social Development Canada as necessary for the purposes of administering and enforcing these new eligibility requirements.

Q20. How will the Government know I am in a mandatory quarantine or isolation period?

A20. The application process for the 3 recovery benefits was updated on Monday, January 11, 2021. Applicants now need to indicate whether they were in quarantine or isolation due to international travel.  CRA will use this new information to complete processing of the claims.

Q21. Do I need a medical certificate to show that my medical treatment was certified by a medical practitioner as necessary?

A21. Applications for the recovery benefits are attestation-based.  As such, there will not be a requirement to submit a medical certificate or any other documentation upfront when you apply for the benefit as evidence that your medical treatment is certified as necessary by a medical practitioner.  However, as part of a follow-up verification, the Canada Revenue Agency may ask you for additional information or documentation in order to confirm your eligibility for the benefits.

Q22. Why was October 2, 2020, chosen as the coming into force date?

A22. The coming into force date aligns with the date the Canada Recovery Benefits Act received Royal Assent.

Q23. Can the recovery benefits still be accessed after the period of mandatory quarantine or isolation?

A23. Yes, the ineligibility for people who need to quarantine or isolate only applies for the period during which applicants have to quarantine or isolate.

Q24. Why was a new provision added to distinguish between quarantine and isolation?

A24. This represents a refinement of the bill’s provisions to reflect current border crossing requirements. All people returning to Canada are required to isolate if they are symptomatic when they arrive at the border. Without this provision, even people crossing the border for an essential purpose (for example truck drivers) who are symptomatic would be ineligible for the recovery benefits during their period of isolation.

This new provision allows people who would have otherwise been exempt from quarantine to maintain their eligibility for the recovery benefits if they need to isolate upon their return into Canada.

7. Timeline and legislation for EI-CERB-CRB

1. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Start date: March 15, 2020

End date: October 3, 2020

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was an important and necessary temporary response to support Canadian workers, including the self-employed, who stopped working due to COVID-19. The CERB provided a weekly amount of $500 for up to 28 weeks, between March 15, 2020, and October 3, 2020. The deadline to retroactively apply for CERB was December 2, 2020.

Legislation

The CERB was delivered under the authority of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act by the Canada Revenue Agency and under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act by Service Canada.

2. Temporary Enhancements to Employment Insurance

Start Date: September 27, 2020

End Date: September 25, 2021

As part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government transitioned from the CERB to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to eligible workers who remain unable to work. Recognizing that many workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will have lost their jobs or are working reduced hours, a set of temporary measures have been introduced to facilitate access to EI benefits. Measures include:

  • a minimum unemployment rate of 13.1% applies to all regions across Canada since August 9, 2020 and until September 11, 2021 
  • allowing workers with 120 insurable hours to qualify for benefits because of a one-time credit of:
    • 300 insured hours if applying for regular benefits, and
    • 480 insured hours if applying for sickness, maternity, parental or caregiving benefits
  • a minimum weekly benefit of $500 per before taxes, or $300 before taxes for extended parental benefits

These measures allow Canadians to qualify for EI with a 1-time eligibility of 120 hours of work, establish a minimum benefit rate of $500 per week and provide a minimum entitlement of 26 weeks of regular benefits.

To support small businesses and workers, the Government of Canada has also frozen the EI premium rate for 2 years at the current 2020 rate. 

In early January 2021, Canada experienced an increase in COVID-19 infections, which resulted in additional public health measures and increased financial pressure on workers. In response, the Government of Canada waived the waiting period for all new EI claims established from January 31, 2021 until September 25, 2021. This enables eligible workers to be paid for the first week of unemployment. 

Legislation and Regulations

The hours credit, minimum benefit rate and minimum weeks of entitlement were made through an interim order under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act.

The waiving of the waiting period was made through amendments to the Employment Insurance Regulations under the authority of the Employment Insurance Act.

3. Recovery Benefits

Start date: September 27, 2020

End Date: September 25, 2021

The Government introduced 3 temporary Recovery Benefits to provide income support to those Canadian workers who are not eligible for EI and those who require tailored support when their employment is affected by COVID-19. These benefits are effective from September 27, 2020 until September 25, 2021. These include the:

  • Canada Recovery Benefit

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

  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides a benefit amount of $500 per week (available in 1-week periods), for up to 2 weeks for those who are unable to work because they are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides a benefit amount of $500 per week (available in 1-week periods) for up to 26 weeks for those who are unable to work because they must care for their child under the age of 12 or family member who needs supervised care.

Legislation

The Canada Recovery Benefits Act established the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit to support Canada’s economic recovery in response to COVID-19. The Canada Recovery Benefits Act received Royal Assent on October 2, 2020.

4. Extension of Employment Insurance regular benefits

Start date: March 27, 2021

End Date: September 25, 2021

On February 19, 2021, the Government announced its intention to extend EI regular benefits to a maximum of 50 weeks.

Legislation and Regulations

On February 25, 2021, the Government tabled Bill C-24 to extend the EI regular benefits. The bill is before Parliament.

5. Extension of the Recovery Benefits

Start date: March 27, 2021

End Date: September 25, 2021

As announced on February 19, 2021, the Government of Canada will increase the number of weeks of benefits available for the CRB and CRCB by 12 weeks through regulations. As some workers could begin to exhaust their benefits in late March 2020, this increase would ensure continued support as Canada’s economy and labour force recovers. 

The Government has also announced that additional 2 weeks would be available for the CRSB so that Canadians do not have to make the choice between going to work sick with COVID-19 and putting food on the table.

Legislation and Regulations

The Government will make regulatory changes to extend the Canada Recovery Benefit, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.

6. Amendments to close the travellers loophole

Start date: October 2, 2020

End date: September 25, 2021 

The Prime Minister announced on January 5, 2021 that access to the recovery benefits would be restricted for international travellers coming back to Canada while they have to isolate or quarantine upon their return. This will close the loophole that allowed international travellers to access the recovery benefits.

Legislation

Bill C-24 proposes to amend the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to add a new eligibility condition so that people who are required to quarantine or isolate upon their return to Canada will not be eligible to receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit or the Canada Recovery Benefit during the period of their quarantine or isolation.

8. Cost of EI-Emergency Response Benefit (EI-ERB), Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and Canada Recovery Benefits (CRB, CRCB, CRSB)

Issue

What are the cost of the EI-ERB, CERB, Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), and Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?

Key facts

  • As of February 28th, 2021, $74.8 billion has been spent on CERB administered by both ESDC and CRA
  • As of February 28th, 2021, $12.9 billion has been spent on the 3 Canada Recovery Benefits

Response

The total spending on each measure as of February 28, 2021 is:

EI-ERB $29.4 billion

CERB $45.4 billion

CRB $11 billion

CRCB $1.6 billion

CRSB $362.5 million

Total of all measures $87.7 billion

Q and a

Q: Do you have a forecast of what each measure will cost at the end of each measure?

A: As has been seen, the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the labour market has been difficult to predict. This makes projecting the cost of these important demand driven programs challenging. It is important that the government be there for Canadians when needed through programs such as the emergency response and recovery benefits. 

Prepared by

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director, Planning and Expenditure Management

Phone number: 819-654-6402

Key contact

Name: Jason Won

Title: Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6583

Name: Jennifer McMurtry

Title: Director General, FMAS, CFOB

Phone number: 819-654-6580

Approved by

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in ADM: March 5, 2021

9. Canada Emergency Response Benefit Overpayments

Issue

Service Canada’s response to CERB overpayments

Suggested Response

  • The federal government is committed to continuing to support Canadians throughout this crisis
  • The Government understands there may be situations in which Canadians received a CERB payment to which they were not entitled
  • Service Canada takes the integrity of its programs very seriously and remains committed to the financial stewardship of its programs
  • While there will not be any penalty for Canadians if they have received a payment in error, they may be required  to repay the CERB benefits for which they are not entitled
  • Clients in this situation will receive a letter providing them with further information to make arrangements to repay any applicable amounts.

Background

On April 6, 2020, the Government of Canada launched the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to provide temporary income support to workers who have stopped working and are without employment or self-employment income, for reasons related to COVID-19. Through this benefit, eligible workers who lost their job or were unable to work due to COVID-19 received $500 per week.

Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) jointly administered the CERB to ensure that Canadians received the money they were entitled to as quickly as possible. However, there may be situations in which Canadians received a CERB payment to which they were not entitled.

Claimants may need to return or be required to repay the CERB to the department (Service Canada or CRA) that issued them payments if they:

  • returned to work earlier than expected, including being paid retroactively
  • applied for CERB but later realized they are not eligible, or
  • applied for and received the CERB from both Service Canada and CRA for the same eligibility period

While there will not be any penalty for Canadians if they received a payment in error, they may be required to repay the CERB benefits for which they are not entitled and will proactively receive a letter providing them with further information about the repayment process. Specifically, if they have received the CERB twice for the same benefit period, they are requested to return one of the payments to the CRA.

Service Canada and the CRA worked together to ensure that those situations were reconciled and payments to eligible clients did not exceed the maximum allowable benefits. To prevent these situations from happening again, CRA conducted a validation check at the application stage. If the applicant had already been approved for benefits with Service Canada, they would not have been able to continue further with the CRA and CERB application.

In March 2020, ESDC put a pause on collection activities for all of ESDC debts, including Notice of Debts (NOD) for all programs. This decision was made to focus on supporting Canadians rather than establishing new overpayments.

On September 27, 2020, ESDC began transitioning clients from CERB to a simplified EI program, and put in place new temporary measures for 1 year to facilitate access to the EI program.

Issuance of NODs and Monthly Statements of Accounts (MSAs) for ESDC debts resumed on November 1, 2020.  A minimal number of NODs and MSAs were issued for CERB overpayments, mainly for clients who had provided a partial or full reimbursements of their overpayment. [Redacted]

The information provided in this card is specific to ESDC only. Issues pertaining to CRA collection activities should be addressed to the Agency.

If pressed on net vs. gross income for self-employment income:

On December 6, 2020, articles in the media raised questions on whether the $5,000 in income required to be eligible for CERB is net or gross for the purposes of self-employed individuals. 

The CRA website for CERB eligibility included the following information.

Small Business owners can receive income from their business in different ways, including as salary, business income or dividends. In determining their eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

  • owners who take a salary from their business should consider their pre-tax salary
  • owners who rely on business income should consider their net pre-tax income (gross income less expenses)
  • owners who rely on dividend income should consider this as self-employment income provided it comes from non –eligible dividends (generally, those paid out of corporate income taxed at the small business rate) 

In some cases, self-employed individuals had declared their total business revenue, rather than their personal self-employment income in attesting that they made $5,000 in 2019. These individuals subsequently received education letters from the CRA indicating that they may not have met the requirements for the benefit. 

On February 9, 2021, the Government announced that it is allowing self-employed individuals who applied for the CERB through the CRA or Service Canada, and whose net self-employment income was less than $5,000 to keep their CERB payments, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Some self-employed individuals whose net self-employment income was less than $5,000 may have already voluntarily repaid the CERB.  The CRA and Service Canada will return the repaid amounts to impacted individuals.  The exact process by which this will occur and the timelines within which it will be implemented are still being determined. 

This approach provides a targeted resolution specifically for self-employed individuals who applied in good faith and received benefits based on unclear eligibility information provided by the Government.

Prepared by

Name: Jonathan Larocque

Title: Director, Strategic Directions Directorate

Key contact

Name: Nisa Tummon

Title: Director General, Strategic Directions Directorate

Phone number: 873-396-1062

Approved by

Name: Cliff Groen

Title: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch

Phone number: 819-654-6944

Date approved in COOO:

10. Parliamentary background and analysis

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) - Main Estimates 2021 to 2022 and Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021 - Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 3:30 to 4:30

1. Background

The Supplementary Estimates (C) and the Main Estimates 2021 to 2022 were tabled in the House of Commons in February 2021. You are invited to appear before HUMA on March 11, for 1 hour. The following senior officials from ESDC will be supporting you, as required, during the meeting.

Graham Flack, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development

Catherine Adam, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Service Policy Branch

Cliff C. Groen, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada

Janet Goulding, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch

Benoit Long, Chief Transformation Officer, Service Canada

Mark Perlman, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister

Your colleague, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development will appear in the 2nd hour on both the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates on March 11. The Minister of Seniors may appear later in March.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for Committee Members to discuss what the Government accomplished since the pandemic began. It is anticipated that a wide variety of issues will be raised; including, the repayment of the Canada Employment Recovery Benefit (CERB), the new Canada Recovery Benefits (CRB) and Employment Insurance (EI) reform. As the summer months approach, MPs could also discuss youth employment and the Canada Summer Jobs Program as well as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to help support the agricultural sector.

On December 11, 2020, when you last appeared before the Committee, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) focussed many of their questions on the repayment of benefits such as CERB; whereas, the New Democratic Party (NDP) focussed on Canada’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Personal Support Worker Training in Long-Term and Home Care. MP Leah Gazan might ask you to provide additional information on these 2 topics.

2. Committee Proceedings

You will be provided with 5 minutes for your opening remarks.

HUMA is composed of 12 MPs. Two new members have joined the Committee in recent weeks. They are Manitoba MP Raquel Dancho CPC, who is also the new Shadow Minister for Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, and Saskatchewan MP Corey Tochor (CPC), who is also the new Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development. The Chair is Liberal MP Sean Casey and the 2 Vice-Chairs are CPC MP Raquel Dancho and Bloc Québécois (BQ) MP Louise Chabot. Ms. Chabot is the Employment Critic.

Other members are:

  • Han Dong, Liberal (Lib)
  • Rosemarie Falk (CPC)
  • Leah Gazan (NDP)
  • Wayne Long (Lib)
  • Corey Tochor (CPC)
  • Ryan Turnbull (Lib)
  • Adam Vaughan (Lib)
  • Brad Vis (CPC)
  • Kate Young (Lib)

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses will 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 Analysis

In addition to issues specific to the Estimates documents, you might receive questions from opposition party members related to the following ESDC issues:

Employment Insurance

The topic of EI could dominate on March 11. On February 18, HUMA began a Study of the Review of the EI Program and heard from ESDC senior officials. MP Louise Chabot pressed ESDC officials to provide an overview of the changes considered by your Department and might ask for your recommendations. MP Leah Gazan was focussed on EI for the self-employed, temporary foreign workers and those in the gig economy and could follow up on these specific issues. A variety of related topics also included:

  • extending CRBs, statistics on number of Canadians who have requested the benefits and the cost of the overall benefits
  • bridging the gap between EI sickness and long-term disability, such as the CPP disability
  • reforming all aspects of the Program: eligibility criteria and periods, benefit rates, etc.
  • details on the EI seasonal pilot project (or “trou noir”)
  • reviewing the EI zones led by the EI commission.

Of note, ESDC officials provided an overview of Government of Canada's legacy systems that support the delivery of our key income support programs, including the EI system which is nearly 50 years old. This statement was of concern to the Committee. In recent years, the Auditor General of Canada also reported that chronic underinvestment in information technology (IT) has put ESDC in a situation where the systems could fail and affect the ongoing delivery of critical programs and services to Canadians. MPs might inquire about the legacy systems and what is being done to modernize them and ensure they remain safe and efficient in the delivery of these benefits. The Supplementary Estimates (C) includes $11 million in funding for the Stabilization of IT in Support of Program Delivery and $6.7 million in funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization.

There is a possibility that the Committee may wish to discuss Bill C-24 introduced on February 25. In general, all parties favour extending the CRBs (through Regulations).  In particular, the BQ has been advocating for the Government to increase the maximum number of weeks available to workers through EI regular benefits. This line of questioning could lead to a wider discussion on what could be added to the Bill.

On the portion of the Bill regarding travel, opposition parties will likely agree that travellers returning to Canada should be ineligible to receive support from any of the CRBs for the period of their mandatory quarantine or isolation. However, MPs might turn their attention to unforeseen consequences of other new rules obliging international air travellers to quarantine in hotels upon arrival in Canada. The plan is facing criticism and the issue was discussed during Question Period.

Canadians with Disabilities: providing support to the most vulnerable

ESDC has played a significant role in developing innovative measures to financially assist Canadians during the pandemic. In general, these measures received support from opposition parties. At the November 4 meeting, BQ MP Louise Chabot asked if the Government is planning to provide additional help to Canadians with disabilities. You answered that a decision had not been made and that discussions were ongoing. In light of the anticipated federal Budget and the supplementary commitment included in your mandate letter to bring forward a Disability Inclusion Action Plan, you might receive questions on this topic.

NDP MP 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. This issue is of great interest to the NDP.

11. House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)

Committee Profile - (February 2021)

Sean Casey, Liberal Party, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Brief biography

Sean was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland but grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Saint Francis Xavier University. He worked for the New Brunswick Telephone Company before attending Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 1988. While attending Dalhousie, he was on the Student Union Executive and served as President of the Law Students Association. Upon graduating, Sean served as a summer student at what was then Scales Jenkins and McQuaid (now Stewart McKelvey) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

He continued to work with the firm and was named a partner at 29 years of age. In 2003, Sean left the firm to take a leadership role in the family business, commonly known as Paderno. That was also the year he ran his first of four marathons. In 2008, Sean rejoined Stewart McKelvey where he served as Regional Managing Partner. In 2011, Sean was elected the Member of Parliament of Charlottetown. He was re-elected in 2015, and again most recently in 2019. In Parliament, Sean has served most recently as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. He has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

He is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, a member of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Chair of the Liberal Atlantic Caucus.

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John — Rothesay, New Brunswick

Brief biography

Wayne Long is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, has lived in the riding 44 years, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their two children, Khristian and Konnor.

Han Dong, Liberal Party, Don Valley North, Ontario

Brief biography

Raised and educated in Toronto, Han Dong, his sister, and his parents immigrated to Canada from Shanghai in 1990. Growing up working at his parent’s 24-hour coffee shop, Han learned the value of hard work, family, and community which ultimately lead him to public service.

In 2014, Han was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), gaining valuable legislative experience.

Han works with a Toronto based high-tech company dedicated to building safer communities with digital neighbourhood watch technology. He has also shown leadership in promoting Toronto's diversity, currently serving as the leader of the Chinatown Gateway Committee established by Mayor John Tory.

Han and his wife Sophie, are the proud parents of Emma and Matthew.

Ryan Turnbull, Liberal Party, Whitby, Ontario

Brief biography

Ryan Turnbull is a passionate change maker, experienced entrepreneur and social innovation that has devoted his life to advance ethical leadership, social responsibility, and build a more ethical economy and society. Ryan has raised his young family in the Durham Region for over five years and has deep roots in the Whitby community, where he recently moved.

Ryan has taken advanced leadership training and earned an MA in philosophy from Carleton University. Ryan has taught and developed curriculum at multiple post-secondary institutions around the world. Over the last decade, Ryan has led the development of a successful social innovation consulting firm that has had a direct social impact on the organizations, communities and the people they serve, in the Durham Region and across Ontario. Ryan has worked with over 250 charitable organizations, has advised government at all levels and has led over 350 impactful projects and his work has had a direct and positive influence on the quality of life for all segments of the population including children, youth, seniors, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S, and many others. Ryan has also served on the board of directors for Food Secure Canada and the Ethics Practitioners’ Association of Canada.

Adam Vaughn, Liberal Party, Spadina—Fort York, Ontario

Brief biography

Adam Vaughan was first elected to the House of Commons for Trinity-Spadina on June 30, 2014. On October 19, 2015, Adam was re-elected in the new riding of Spadina-Fort York, and was re-elected for a second full term on October 21, 2019.

Adam was elected twice to Toronto City Council before voters sent him to Ottawa to represent urban issues in Parliament. As an activist and as a journalist, Adam has played a significant role in the social and economic growth of Toronto. Adam Vaughan brings a lifetime of experience to federal politics. On City Council he played a major role in reforming the planning process in the city. He led successful campaigns to rebuild and revitalize existing public housing stock while initiating new policies to create family housing, supportive housing and new co-op housing programs in Toronto.

Together with residents, he spearheaded the revitalization of the Alexandra Park community: a significant neighbourhood in Toronto that will see new affordable housing, new commercial space, a re-built community and more parkland added to the downtown. Adam Vaughan’s record in office demonstrates strong support for the arts and housing in Toronto.

While on council, he championed the expansion of OCAD University’s campus and led the campaign to save Theatre Passe Muraille. He also served on the Boards of the Toronto Arts Council, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Harbourfront Centre and Heritage Toronto. Before entering politics, Adam was a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, specializing in municipal affairs for both the CBC and Citytv. He covered all three levels of government and has written about urban issues too.

In the 41st Parliament, Adam was appointed the Liberal Critic for Housing and Urban Affairs and worked with Justin Trudeau, Liberals, and local governments across the country to re-establish a national housing policy as part of a new urban agenda for Canada.

On December 2, 2015, Adam was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. He served in this role until January 26, 2017, when he was appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs).

On February 1, 2017, Adam was appointed to chair an Advisory Committee on Homelessness composed of experts and stakeholders in the field of homelessness to support the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

He is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development (Housing) and a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development, and Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Kate Young, Liberal Party, London West, Ontario

Brief biography

Kate Young was first elected Member of Parliament for London West in October 2015. She is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario). She has also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport for Science and Sport, and for Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility); and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport.

Prior to being elected, Kate had a lengthy career in journalism and public relations in both the private and public sector. Best known as the first female news anchor at CFPL-TV in London, Kate was also the Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations for the Thames Valley District School Board and Manager of Community Relations at TD Financial Group.

As a community organizer, Kate has volunteered much of her free time with organizations that directly impact London West, including the London Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors, the Fanshawe College Board of Directors, and the Museum London Board of Directors. In 2007, London City Press Club named Kate Newsmaker of the Year for her outstanding service to the London community.

Kate has a diploma in Journalism (Broadcast) from Fanshawe College and is the proud mother of two children. She is also a grandma to twin boys. Kate grew up in London West, attended Westminster Secondary School, and continues to live in the riding with her partner Brian.

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Seniors Critic, Battlefords — Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Rosemarie Falk is the federal Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster. She was first elected to the House of Commons in a federal by-election on December 11, 2017.

Under the leadership of the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Rosemarie serves as the Shadow Minister for Seniors. She is also a member the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her three children there. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Throughout her work and volunteer experience, she has been actively engaged in her community working with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for seniors, families, taxpayers and rural communities. She is in federal politics to help build a stronger Canada today and for the next generation.

Peter Kent, Conservative Party, Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Thornhill, Ontario

Brief biography

Peter Kent was first elected to the House of Commons representing Thornhill in 2008 and sworn into Cabinet as Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Americas.

Re-elected in 2011, Peter was appointed Canada's Environment Minister and served in that capacity until July, 2013. In October, 2013 Peter was elected Chair of the House Standing Committee on National Defence. In October, 2015 Peter was again re-elected as MP for Thornhill and appointed Deputy Critic for Foreign Affairs. In Summer, 2016 Peter was appointed as Critic of Foreign Affairs. In September, 2017 Peter was appointed Shadow Minister of Ethics.

Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Peter was a broadcast journalist, having spent more than 40 years working as a writer, reporter, producer, anchor and broadcast executive in Canada, the United States and around the world.

He covered stories that shaped the 20th Century, including momentous events such as the Vietnam and Cambodian conflicts and recovery, decades of conflict, uncertainty and hope in the Middle East, the Ethiopian famine, the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, South Africa’s transition from the apartheid era to Mandela’s presidency, the overthrow of Idi Amin, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.

Peter won a number of awards over the course of his career, including the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award. He is also a member of the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

A passionate believer in community involvement, Peter actively supports a number of charitable organizations. He has served as a mentor with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and was on the Toronto cabinet of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He remains involved with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Jamie Schmale, Conservative Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario

Brief biography

With a strong background in radio, journalism, and federal politics, Jamie has had the honour of representing Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock in Ottawa since 2015.

Prior to entering politics, Jamie attended Fenelon Falls High School and Loyalist College, graduating from the Radio Broadcasting program. Jamie started his career as News Anchor and later News Director for CHUM Media Kawarthas. Covering news, municipal politics, and sports for 91.9FM Radio CKLY in Lindsay, Jamie covered the horrific attacks of 9/11, the blackout of 2003, and the amalgamation of the 16 municipalities of Victoria County into what is now the single-tier City of Kawartha Lakes.

Raised in Bobcaygeon, he now calls Lindsay home. A professional, father, and volunteer, Jamie is actively involved in a number of local charities and not-for-profits.

In 2014, Jamie was nominated by the Conservative party to become the next Conservative candidate for the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock (HKLB) riding. Since first being elected, he has served on various Parliamentary Committees such as the Procedure and House Affairs, Natural Resources and up until prorogation in August 2020, was the Vice Chair of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee.

In 2019, Jamie was asked to serve as the Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations under previous Leader Andrew Scheer. He is now pleased to hold the role of Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development under his friend, riding neighbour and current Leader, Erin O’Toole.

Brad Vis, Conservative Party, Housing Critic, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, British Columbia

Brief biography

Born in Matsqui, British Columbia, Brad has deep roots in the Fraser Valley. The grandson of Dutch immigrants, he was raised on the values of hard work, sacrifice, integrity and determination.

Brad has spent the majority of his career working in government, politics and the agri-business sector. His professional background extends to the fields of communications, public relations and policy development.

Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University.

Elected in 2019, Brad is honoured to represent all residents of Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon and is thrilled to work hard on their behalf. His mission is to raise issues and work to accomplish the goals of the riding in Ottawa rather than work as Ottawa’s representative in the riding.

Under the leadership of the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Brad serves as the Shadow Minister for Housing and is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA).

Brad is happily married to Kathleen and the father of Declyn and Nicholas.

Leah Gazan, New Democratic Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba

Brief biography

Leah Gazan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre in October 2019. She is currently the NDP Critic for Children, Families, and Social Development, as well as the Deputy Critic for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Gazan is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament. She recently introduced a private member's bill, Bill C-232, The Climate Emergency Action Act, which recognizes the right to a healthy environment as a human right.

As an educator, advisor, and media contributor, Leah Gazan has been deeply engaged with issues and organizing in Winnipeg’s core for nearly three decades. Gazan has spent her life working for human rights on the local, national, and international stage. Her recent success includes organizing and traveling across the country to push Bill C-262, the Indigenous Human Rights Act.

Her contributions in Winnipeg have both shaped our understanding of our collective struggles and strengths, and helped move us towards justice. As president of the Social Planning Council between 2011- 2015, Gazan organized and pushed policy in support of an end to poverty, addressing violence against women and girls, finding solutions for housing insecurity and homelessness, ensuring fair wages, community-based actions addressing addictions, and proper supports for mental health.

Gazan was a prominent Winnipeg lead during Idle No More, articulating the movement to the Winnipeg public. Gazan also co-founded the #WeCare campaign aimed at building public will to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. Gazan is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota Nation, located in Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory.

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec

Brief biography

Louise Chabot, born in 1955 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, is a Quebec trade unionist and politician. She was president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) from 2012 to 2018. This organization represents nearly 200,000 members, including 130,000 in the education and early childhood sector. She coordinated a major unionization project that resulted in the grouping of more than 15,000 family child care providers, a first in the Canadian union movement. On October 21, 2019, she was elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Thérèse-de-Blainville under the banner of the Bloc Québécois.

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