Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

Ontario doctor Kulvinder Kaur Gill faces backlash from college of physicians over unprofessional social media posts

Ontario doctor Kulvinder Kaur Gill faces backlash from college of physicians over unprofessional social media posts
There was concern that Dr.Gill appeared to be "willfully spreading false and misleading information regarding COVID-19 that goes directly against the advice and recommendations of local, provincial, and federal medical/science and public health authorities."

Ontario doctor Kulvinder Kaur Gill faces backlash from college of physicians over unprofessional social media posts

New Westminster Police investigating serious assault

New Westminster Police investigating serious assault
The victim was transported to hospital, where she remains in critical condition. A nearby school was temporarily sheltering in place as a precaution while NWPD officers secured the scene.

New Westminster Police investigating serious assault

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday
She says she expects the plan will be finalized around March 18, in the meantime the initial supply will be used to address ongoing outbreaks that are leading to rapidly increasing case numbers in some communities.

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP
Police attended the residence and through the investigation identified Amin Yussuf, who has four outstanding warrants from a homicide that occurred in Edmonton on March 24, 2019.

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program
The province has also extended the deadline for businesses to apply from the end of this month to Aug. 31, or until all the money has been spent.

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts
Many of those who did become infected after getting a vaccine in the trials experienced mild illness, according to the data, which Chakrabarti says isn't a big concern.

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts