Bloc Qubcois moves to block parties from dipping into pandemic aid

Bloc Qubcois' Leader Yves-Franois Blanchetis pitching a measure to preventpolitical parties from accessingpandemic aid earmarked forstruggling businesses.

"They are not in difficulty," Blanchettolda news conference today. "They should never, even if they would have been in difficulty, touchthat money."

Blanchet said he's proposing an amendment to Bill C-9,legislation the government tabledrecently to update its pandemic assistance to small businesses. The amendment, he said, would bar parties from dipping into pandemic assistance meant to help businesses and organizations pay rent and employee salaries.

VIDEO|Bloc Qubcois blasts parties for taking money meant for struggling businesses

They are not in difficulty Bloc Leader says

4 years ago

Duration 1:49

Bloc Qubcois Leader Yves-Franois Blanchet wants to stop political parties from using pandemic aid thats supposed to help struggling businesses by proposing an amendment to legislation that would block all parties from using federal pandemic subsidies.

The Blochas not considered using federal pandemic subsidies, he said. The NDP, meanwhile, hasconfirmed it is still relyingon the wage subsidy.

"I believe the wage subsidy is important," NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters. "As long as we qualify, we should use it to keep people employed. And if we don't qualify, then we won't use it."

VIDEO| Jagmeet Singh answers questions about the NDP's wage subsidy use

NDP continues to use wage subsidy

4 years ago

Duration 0:37

The NDP has confirmed it is still relying on the wage subsidy.I believe the wage subsidy is important, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters. As long as we qualify, we should use it to keep people employed. And if we dont qualify, then we wont use it.

The Liberal and Conservative parties said in emailed statements they are no longer taking advantage of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.

The Liberal Party of Canada has received $1,253,833.07 in emergency support since March. The party's senior communications director, Braeden Caley, said the Liberals rely on grassroots donationsand the emergency subsidy kept more than 80 people employed.

Caley said the partyhas since stopped collectingthe subsidy.

"The Liberal Party of Canada suspended further applications for the emergency wage subsidy beyond the end of August," Caley said. "In-person fundraising events were paused as of early March in line with public health guidance, and that has continued to be the case with all new fundraising taking place online, via email, and over the phone."

The Conservative Party of Canada, which has about 60 full-time employees, has received$1.02 millionsince mid-March. LeaderErin O'Toolehas instructed the party to stop accepting the subsidyand torepay the money it hasreceived.

"Erin O'Toole believes that the wage subsidy was designed to help businesses survive and not to subsidize political parties," saidpartycommunications directorCory Hann. "At the same time, Erin O'Toole has been very clear that he would not allow the Trudeau Liberals to use taxpayer money as an unfair advantage, particularly as they were trying to orchestrate an early election."

The Green Party of Canada says it will not support the Bloc's call. Figures provided by the partyshow that ithas received $361,853 from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.