The Liberals are pushing forward with a contentious piece of emergency legislation that would extend COVID-19 aid programs, even though opposition parties appear unlikely to allow it to move forward quickly.
Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez says the bill is the quickest and most efficient way to get help to some of the most vulnerable Canadians impacted by the pandemic, and he hopes the other parties will give unanimous consent to allow the bill to be debated today.
The bill would bring in a number of promised measures, including benefits for Canadians with disabilities and an expansion of the wage-subsidy program to include seasonal workers and some additional businesses.
But it would also impose penalties for fraudulently claiming the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB) — a move that appears to have no support among the main opposition parties.
Watch | ‘These changes matter’: Qualtrough says of new COVID response bill
The Liberals need unanimous consent from all MPs in the House of Commons to allow the bill to be debated today, but all three main opposition parties have raised objections to the bill.
“They are not asking us for negotiation, they are asking us to rubber stamp,” said Bloc Leader <a href=”https://twitter.com/yfblanchet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@yfblanchet</a> about the Liberals pushing forward with a contentious piece of emergency legislation that would extend COVID-19 aid programs.<br><br>Read more: <a href=”https://t.co/Epmo7IWnY6″>https://t.co/Epmo7IWnY6</a> <a href=”https://t.co/vy1qZdRAfq”>pic.twitter.com/vy1qZdRAfq</a>
—@PnPCBC
We need to extend the CERB for people in need<br><br>Remove the heavy fines and jail penalties for people who applied for the CERB that didn’t need it, and instead use the tax system to recover the money<br><br>And bring in help for all Canadians living with disabilities
—@theJagmeetSingh
In his negotiations with opposition House leaders, Rodriguez says he does not feel they are heading toward unanimous consent, but he says he remains an optimist and hopes things can change.
He also expressed disappointment at the indications coming from the other parties that they may block the bill from moving forward, as it contains measures they have been pushing government to adopt, including help for Canadians with disabilities.
Watch | ”Why aren’t they allowing the debate today?’: Rodriguez
