New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian is calling on the federal government to recall Parliament early so it can ensure Canadians are supported during the pandemic.
In a Sept. 3 letter to Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez, Julian expressed concern about potential impacts related to the government’s announcement that Canadians will be transitioning from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to Employment Insurance.
Earlier this year, the federal government introduced CERB for employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. Through CERB, eligible Canadians can receive $2,000 for a four-week period.
Julian noted CERB is set to end on Sept. 27, which is just days after the scheduled speech from the throne.
“As a consequence, it is almost certain that programs the government has promised to enact to provide much-needed income supports to Canadians will not yet be in place when CERB ends,” he wrote. “Canadians are worried about paying their bills, a possible second wave of COVID-19, and the return to work and school. It is completely unacceptable to add to this uncertainty.”
On Aug. 18, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he had asked the governor general to prorogue Parliament until Friday, Sept. 23, when a throne speech will be delivered. He said the decision to prorogue parliament would give the government time to “reset the approach of this government” in response to COVID-19 and recovery from the pandemic and would force a confidence vote on the government’s plan.
“While this matter could well have been dealt with in August had the government not shut down Parliament by proroguing, there is still another path forward,” Julian stated. “To that end I am writing to request that Parliament be recalled early, with a throne speech, to allow legislation to be put forward, debated and ultimately put in place prior to the conclusion of CERB. Barring this, CERB should be extended until such a time as the programs aimed at replacing it are actually in place and those who rely on CERB can be assured the necessary time to access them.”
Julian, who is the federal NDP’s house leader, said his party welcomed some of the changes that have been announced, such as progress on paid sick leave, but is still “very concerned” that the measures are temporary.
