Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Opposition parties push for more COVID-19 supports

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Mar, 2021 06:08 PM
  • Opposition parties push for more COVID-19 supports

Opposition parties are pushing the federal Liberals for targeted COVID-19 relief for some badly hit sectors. The Conservatives advanced a motion Tuesday calling on the Liberals to implement supports for the hospitality, tourism and charity sectors decimated by the pandemic.

"We cannot allow the pandemic to permanently kill these jobs," Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said.

The Conservatives also want airlines to commit to providing consumer refunds, restrict executive pay and restore regional routes in exchange for repayable loans.

The Liberals have already promised some sector-specific support and have accused the Conservatives of deliberately holding up those programs by stalling on passing measures through the House of Commons. O'Toole said his party is doing its job by pressing to ensure the existing programs are meeting existing needs, which he said they aren't.

"There are thousands of family-owned businesses today holding on by a thread," he said.

"They need access to programs now."

The New Democrats also reiterated their ideas for small business relief Tuesday.

Among them, a call for Ottawa to pick up the tab for employment insurance and Canada Pension Plan contributions to provide an incentive for businesses to hire workers and an extension of the federal wage subsidy program until the pandemic is fully over. "There seems to be a big focus on big business, but there's been an ignoring of the place and the struggles of small businesses," NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada set to receive 910K vaccine doses this week

Canada set to receive 910K vaccine doses this week
The remaining 465,000 shots are expected from Moderna, as the pharmaceutical firm steps up its delivery schedule from once every three weeks to once every two.

Canada set to receive 910K vaccine doses this week

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report
Employment among women remains about 5.3 per cent below where it sat in February 2020 just before the first wave of COVID-19, compared to about 3.7 per cent for men.

Low-wage women hit hardest by COVID-19: report

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM
The prime minister says politicians should listen to the voices of women, not only when it comes to economic recovery but also on fighting systemic racism, climate change and gender-based violence.

Don't let COVID-19 undo progress for women: PM

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada
On Aug. 1, Canada signed an agreement with Pfizer to buy at least 20 million doses, with the option to buy 56 million more, and approval was not expected until early 2021.

Pfizer first planned February rollout in Canada

634 COVID19 cases for Friday

634 COVID19 cases for Friday
Of the active cases, 255 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 66 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

634 COVID19 cases for Friday

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses
The technology, which has been tested for safe exposure levels, is already used in other sectors such as the hotel and restaurant industries.

TransLink tests technology to sanitize air on buses