Kelly Bock, MP - COVID-19 Update - March 27

Dear Friends,

I hope you are all keeping well. I have received more information regarding the COVID-19 and, as promised, am passing it on to you.

There have been some changes from my previous communication. 

In the Riding:

My staff and I continue to be available to assist you via email or phone. The contact information for my offices is available on my website at https://www.kellyblockmp.ca/contact.

In Saskatchewan:

The Government of Saskatchewan introduced new restrictions to curtail the spread of COVID-19 I recommend reading the entire release.

Some notable highlights include:

• Limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people in a room (exceptions are provided when two-metre distancing between persons can be maintained and in retail locations deemed essential)
• A comprehensive list of critical public services and businesses that are allowed to continue operating 
• Closure of a wide-range of businesses and public services, effective March 23 

To reach the Public Health Authority, email covid19@health.gov.sk.ca or call 811. Please call 811 only after you have completed the self-assessment toolavailable on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website. 

Canada-wide

For Businesses 

The Government of Canada announced 3 new initiatives on Friday, March 27. 

• The previously announced 10% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses will be increased to 75%. Eligible businesses will be able to claim up to 75% of the wages of those they keep on payroll. This is backdated to March 15
• Banks will offer $40,000 in government-backed loans to storefront businesses. These loans will be interest-free for one year. $10,000 may be forgivable under certain circumstances
• The GST owed on any imports will be deferred until June.

For Individuals

The Government of Canada has enacted the Quarantine Act, effective immediately. All travellers are now legally required to enter self-isolation for 14 days upon arriving in Canada. 

Parliament reconvened in an emergency session on Tuesday, March 24 to pass the Government’s COVID-19 response into law with Bill C-13 (more information on this later).

Bill C-13 has brought in one major change from last week's announcements. The newly-minted Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will combine two previously announced programs - the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit - into one.

Some highlights of include:

• ​The CERB is intended to go live in early April
• The CERB is worth $2000/month for 4 months and will be paid out every 4 weeks
•  Wage earners, contract workers, self-employed, and other workers not eligible for EI will be eligible for CERB
•  If someone is currently on EI they should NOT apply for CERB
•  Currently, those who are eligible should still apply for EI

To apply for the CERB, you should prepare by going to http://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency and create a CRA "My Account" or a "My Service Canada Account".

Seniors: We have received multiple questions on assistance for seniors. This is what the Government has announced so far:

• For low and modest income seniors—and other Canadians—the Government will provide a one-time special payment through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit by early May. This will double the maximum annual GST credit payment amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year. The average boost to income for those benefitting from this measure will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
• The government is reducing required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 per cent for 2020.
• The government is extending the deadline to file your income taxes to June 1 and allowing any new balances due, or installments, to be deferred until after August 31, 2020 without incurring interest or penalties.

The Government of Canada continues to provide daily information at www.canada.ca/coronavirus. The COVID-19 hotline is 1-833-784-4397.

Bill C-13

I received many emails asking for clarification on the news reports that the Liberal government was attempting to usurp Parliament’s constitutionally-mandated power to legislate taxes and spending. 

For the most part I have taken care not to focus too much on politics during the COVID-19 crisis. I believe my constituents want information on what is being done to help them, and expect Parliament to work together to deal with this crisis. These are unprecedented times. This is why our Conservative caucus has been flexible in our approach, while also continuing to ensure government oversight

This is what made the Liberal’s move so disappointing. We had agreed to recall Parliament and quickly pass the Liberal’s previously announced initiatives.

But the Liberals tried to use a public health crisis to give themselves the powers to raise taxes, debt and spending without parliamentary approval until January 1, 2022. This would have meant that the Government would not have had to answer to the people of Canada for almost two years. This plan was an incredible breach of our democratic tradition and an unprecedented and unconstitutional power-grab.

However, the Conservatives and NDP refused to grant unanimous consent to this plan. As a result, Parliament was suspended shortly after noon on Tuesday. After hours of negotiations, the Government backed down on those demands. Parliament resumed shortly after 3 AM on Wednesday morning to debate and pass the amended legislation.

I am very proud of the leadership of Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader Candice Bergen, and Shadow Minister of Finance Pierre Poilievre in ensuring that the constitutionally mandated role of Parliament was protected and that your voices would continue to be heard in Parliament.

With their leadership, we were able to pass a clean Bill with the Government’s previously announced initiatives to provide assistance to those who need it.

We can never allow a crisis to be an excuse for surrendering our rights to Government under the guise of “protection”.

_____

I will provide you with important information as it becomes available. Continue to take care of each other.