Tuesday April 7, 2020 ~ NATIONAL
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
“Canadians need help now. Send direct assistance to everyone,” says NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh as the federal government’s constantly changing array of supports for individuals and businesses becomes more complicated by the day.
That was the message yesterday, and Singh is not taking his foot off the pedal on repeating that message today. He has sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in defence of all Canadians.
Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh sent a letter to the Prime Minister suggesting ways to make sure everyone who needs financial help to get through this crisis, gets it. Singh continued his push for direct financial assistance for all and encouraged sending a direct payment of $2,000 – with an additional $250 per child – to everyone in Canada.
“There are millions of people across the country who are worried about their health, their loved ones, and how they will pay their bills as we continue to face this pandemic. We must find a way to make sure everyone in Canada can get through these unprecedented times with enough money to pay their bills; a job to go back to; and a safe place to live,” said Singh. “As we have been saying for weeks, the quickest and best way to make sure government help gets to everyone who needs it, is to immediately send direct financial assistance to all Canadians.”
Singh is encouraging the Prime Minister to move away from the complicated means-based system and implement a universal direct payment to all. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – even with changes the government has made – has proven to be complicated and leaves out many Canadians who need support.
One study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that one third of Canadians in need are not eligible for the emergency benefit or Employment Insurance and will be left without any government help.
The added stress for spending hours online with these forms — only to learn of one’s ineligibility — is adding a mean-spirited energy to the process of supposed support to Canadians.
Singh proposed specific amendments to CERB to ensure people who are currently left out – such as students, those who were unemployed before the pandemic that were not eligible for EI and workers who continue to receive some form of modest income – would also get the help they need.
People who continue as self-employed — forging ahead through these difficult times — are being left without support in most cases as well.
“The consequences of having a program that excludes the most vulnerable are as tragic as they are human. More people will run out of food, more people will lose their homes, and more people will end up on the street unless we do something. When the House of Commons returns, we have the opportunity to make changes so that all Canadians can get help. Let’s get it right this time,” added Singh.
“New Democrats believe in Canadians’ desire to care for each other. And we believe that Canadians should be able to expect their government and all parliamentarians to lead. They want us to do our best and do all we can to help them. By working together, I think we can do just that.”
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Article to come, interviewing Alistair MacGregor, MP (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) on the impact of COVID-19 on the south Vancouver Island region (April 7)