By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED November 26, 2021 10:10amET
One day after the Liberals and NDP passed a motion to resume hybrid sittings -- and require MPs be vaccinated for in-person attendance -- debate begins on the government's plan to target emergency pandemic to hard-hit sectors and workers.
Bill C-2 would:
- Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7 and increase the maximum duration of both by two weeks.
- Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program through May 7.
- Establish the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to provide a weekly $300 income support to eligible workers affected by a local lockdown between Oct. 24 and May 7.
- Establish the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program with a subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent; eligible businesses include hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, tour companies, gyms, casinos, and wedding venues
- Establish the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program that targets “other businesses that have faced deep losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50 per cent.”
- Establish the Local Lockdown Program for businesses that face temporary closure.
The procedural motion on sittings will formally implement the October vaccination order for in-person attendance agreed to by the Board of Internal Economy. Medical exemptions will need to conform with "guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health document entitled 'Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination' and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)."
A Conservative question of privilege is challenging the Board of Internal Economy's authority in issuing the order versus a vote of the full House of Commons.
