HUMA Committee appearance binder: Appearance of Minister Hussen - March 16 2021

1. Opening Remarks

Official title: Speech for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen Appearance Before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates C and 2021 to 2022 Main Estimates Ottawa, Ontario March 16, 2021

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(2021 PA 0000222)

Opening

Mr. Chair, Committee members,

I’m happy to speak to the Supplementary Estimates C for 2020 to 21 and the Main Estimates for 2021 to 22 that pertain to my portfolio at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Saying that our lives have changed significantly over the course of the last year would be an understatement.

However, the Government’s priorities remain focused on helping to protect Canadians’ health and financial security.

These priorities are supported by the appropriations requested in the Main Estimates, as well as the Supplementary Estimates C associated to the previous exercise.

Today, I hope to be able to provide you with some overarching context and answer any questions you may have.

2021 to 22 Main Estimates

ESDC’s Main Estimates for 2021 to 2022 present a total of $82.4 billion in planned budgetary expenditures.

Over 95% of these expenditures will directly benefit Canadians through the Department’s programs, services and initiatives.

Supplementary Estimates C

Before I address the Supplementary Estimates C, Mr. Chair, I would like to point out that the Department did not stop helping Canadians when Service Canada Centres were forced to close because of the pandemic.

On the contrary.

We increased the number of call centre agents and simplified applications for certain benefits. We also made it easier for Canadians to access services online, while maintaining all measures to safeguard private information.

The 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates C reflect those actions.

The Department requires additional funding to continue to improve client experience, both online and in person, and to modernize the way it delivers benefits.

The Department will continue making sure Canadians have access to the benefits they are entitled to, Mr. Chair.

Going forward: 2021 to 2022 priorities

I want to be very clear: the safety and well being of Canadians remain the Government’s number 1 priority.

The pandemic has certainly taught us the importance of having a place to call home. That is why the Government of Canada will keep investing in measures to address urgent housing needs, like the $1 billion Rapid Housing Initiative. We will also continue to support communities to prevent and reduce homelessness and ensure the sector’s ability to fight COVID-19 through increased investments in Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

This will build on our existing goals by helping those in immediate need. It also advances the progress being made through Opportunity for All – Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy, to reduce poverty and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to end poverty by 2030.

At the same time, we will continue to invest in longer-term programs, like the National Housing Co-Investment Fund and the Rental Construction Financing initiative, for which funding is included in this year’s estimates.

We will also continue to move forward with enhancements to the First Time Home Buyer Incentive, including in Canada’s largest cities, so families can afford to buy their first home.

Mr. Chair, the pandemic continues to have a tremendous impact on Canadian families with young children.

For Canadian families, access to affordable, high-quality child care is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It allows parents, especially mothers, to maintain good jobs so they can support their families.

We are laying the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system in partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples, so that every Canadian family has access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive child care.

The Government of Canada is also proposing new temporary support of up to $1,200 per child under the age of 6, in 2021, to further assist families with young children that are struggling with expenses during the pandemic.

As well, during the pandemic the Government of Canada was pleased to provide $350 million for the Emergency Community Support Fund, and to work hand in hand with 3 intermediaries to allocate funding to thousands of community-based organizations to address pressing needs of vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19 across the country.

Closing

The Main Estimates for 2021 to 2022 and all of the items outlined in the Supplementary Estimates process today demonstrate our clear commitment to Canadians and to building back better.

There is no doubt that the financial resources requested will enable us to continue this work.

I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

- 30 -

2. Overview – 2021 to 2022 Main Estimates

Issue

What are the financial highlights of the 2021 to 2022 Main Estimates for the Department of Employment and Social Development?

Key facts

In Part II of the 2021 to 2022 Main Estimates, Employment and Social Development presents planned budgetary expenditures of $82.4 billion, which is $13.8 billion higher than the planned budgetary expenditures for 2020 to 2021 of $68.6 billion.

Response

• Planned budgetary expenditures for 2021 to 2022, totalling $82.4 billion for the Department of Employment and Social Development, are showing a net increase of $13.8 billion (approximately 20%) over the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates of $68.6 billion
• The increase is mainly explained by the 3 temporary recovery benefits introduced to ensure that Canadians continue to receive the support they need when their employment is affected by COVID-19 and by an increase to Old Age Security Pension, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Allowances payments resulting from an expected increased number of beneficiaries due to the aging population and expected changes to the average monthly amounts paid

Background

Approximately $82,439.7 million in total budgetary funding is anticipated through the Main Estimates ($4,184.5 million in voted appropriations and $78,255.2 million in statutory). This excludes funding anticipated through Budget 2021. Almost 95% of planned budgetary expenditures will directly benefit Canadians through the Old Age Security Program and other statutory transfer payment programs.

Overall, the Department of Employment and Social Development’s total budgetary authorities for 2021 to 2022 have a net increase of $13,798.0 million, or approximately 20.0%, from the previous year’s total Main Estimates of $68,641.7 million.

This increase in funding is primarily attributable to statutory items:

• an increase totaling $10,335.0 million for 3 temporary recovery benefits introduced to ensure that Canadians continue to receive the support they need when their employment is affected by COVID-19: the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit
• an increase of $2,843.0 million to the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement and to Allowances, explained by an expected increased number of beneficiaries due to the aging population and expected changes to the average monthly amounts paid
• an increase of $438.5 million to the Canada Student Loans Program and Canada Apprentice Loans, mostly due to increased grant amounts for low-income, middle-income and part-time students provided through the Canada Student Grants and to alternative payments to non-participating provinces and territories related to the temporary COVID-19 measure doubling the grant amount for loan year 2020 to 2021, and
• sn increase of $12.5 million for other items

These increases are offset by a decrease of $190.8 million to Canada Disability Savings Grants and Bonds, which is due to an adjustment to the forecasting model to better reflect trends in actual expenditures.

The Department plans to spend $1,076.9 million in 2021 to 2022 in net operating expenditures (Vote 1), representing an increase of $273.6 million from the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates of $803.3 million. The net increase is mainly related to additional resources approved for the administration and the integrity of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit and the Employment Insurance Emergency Response Benefit, Old Age Security workload, compensation adjustments and the Canada Summer Jobs program.

In addition, voted grants and contributions (Vote 5) are expected to reach $3,107.6 million in 2021 to 2022, an increase of $86.2 million from the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates, mainly attributable to investments to the Canada Summer Jobs program, the Student Work Placement Program, Reaching Home and Personal Support Worker Training and other measures to address labour shortages in long term and home care (COVID-19), offset by decreasing funds for the payments to provinces and territories for Early Learning and Child Care, until renewed in 2021 to 2022.

With respect to non-budgetary loans, there is a net decrease in authorities of $60.3 million from the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates. Despite a forecasted increase to loans related to COVID-19 measures which temporarily increased the loan limit and waived the student and spousal contribution, the growing repayment portfolio has resulted in a net decrease in 2021 to 2022.

Key quotes

None

3. Overview - Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021

Issue

Why does Employment and Social Development (ESDC) require additional authorities in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2021?

Response

• Supplementary Estimates seek parliamentary approval for changes to departmental spending plans for the current fiscal year, including items that were unforeseen at the time the Main Estimates were prepared
• ESDC is requesting adjustments for:
  1. voted appropriations:
     1. funding to write-off unrecoverable debts owed to the Crown for Canada Student Loans – $188.1 million
     2. funding to stabilize information technology to support program delivery – $11.0 million
     3. funding for Canada Emergency Student Benefit (COVID-19) (This item received funding from Treasury Board Vote 5 – Government Contingencies) - $8.0 million
     4. funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization – $6.7 million
     5. funding for the Youth Digital gateway – $5.0 million
     6. funding for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information – $3.1 million
     7. funding for the resumption of in-person access at Service Canada Centres (COVID-19) – $2.6 million
     8. funding to improve gender and diversity outcomes in skills programming – $0.9 million, and
     9. funding to authorize the inclusion and adjustment of an authority embedded in vote wording – $1. (The one-dollar item is used to include an internal transfer from Vote 1 to Vote 10 to write off debts due to the Crown related to overpayments from the Government Annuities Account.)
  2. Transfers:
     1. transfer from the Department of Indigenous Services for the Kativik Regional Government to streamline delivery of youth programming – $0.6 million
     2. internal reallocation of resources to write off debts due to the Crown related to overpayments from the Government Annuities Account – $25,064, and
     3. transfer to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to support skills and employment training services delivered by The Cree Nation Government for youth, and to support skills and employment training services delivered by the 11 self-governing Yukon First Nations– $0.1 million
  3. Statutory Budgetary Authorities:
     1. payments for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $12.4 billion
     2. Old Age Security benefit – Decrease of $100.1 million
     3. Guaranteed Income Supplement – Increase of $37.8 million
     4. payments for the Canada Recovery Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act – Increase of $10.1 billion
     5. payments for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $2.2 billion
     6. payments for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act – Increase of $2.9 billion
     7. payment to support Persons with Disabilities one-time payment under An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures – Increase of $0.4 million
     8. payments for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act – Increase of $0.8 billion
     9. allowance – Decrease of $5.8 million
     10. payments for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit pursuant to the Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020 – Increase of $500.0 million
     11. Canada Disability Savings Grant – Decrease of $40.6 million
     12. total Adjustment to Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans – Increase of $1.7 million
     13. Canada Disability Savings Bond – Decrease of $200.5 million, and
     14. payments to support a safe restart in Indigenous communities pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $0.1 million

Background

A. Voted appropriations

1. Funding to write-off unrecoverable debts owed to the Crown for Canada Student Loans – $188.1 million

   An amount of $188,099,201 is requested to write-off 30,289 debts related to direct Canada Student Loans (CSL) in these Supplementary Estimates. Of this amount, $795.96 are write-offs associated with 466 Canada Apprentice Loan accounts.

   The CSL write-offs are related to student loan debts for which all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted.

   The write-off of unrecoverable Canada Student Loans is an annual accounting exercise, which seeks approval to remove the value of uncollectible debts from the Canada Student Loans Program portfolio.

   This year's write-off of $188.1 million represents less than 1% of the Canada Student Loan Program portfolio value, which is consistent with the proportion of loans written-off in previous years.

   Access to post-secondary education is key in building a strong middle class. In 2019 to 2020, the Government of Canada provided $1.6 billion in Canada Student Grants and $3.4 billion in Canada Student Loans to over 656,000 students. Many of them would not be able to attend post-secondary education without support from the Government.

   The write-off of $188.1 million in 2020 to 2021 is for loans where all reasonable collection efforts have been made. It represents less than 1% of the $20 billion portfolio. Over 80% of these debts are from loans that have not been acknowledged by the borrower for 6 or more years, and as a result, the government can no longer pursue collection efforts.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $188,099,201 in Vote 15 (Debt write-off – Canada Student Loan) as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

2. Funding to stabilize information technology to support program delivery – $11.0 million

   ESDC is the largest federal service delivery organization. However, decades of underinvestment in information technology (IT) has put ESDC in an unprecedented situation where the systems could fail and affect the ongoing delivery of critical programs and services to Canadians.

   [Part of this sentence has been redacted], such as improving disaster response for Employment Insurance IT services and improving coast to coast network performance.

   The $11 million represents the Consolidated Revenue [part of this sentence has been redacted]. The remaining funding for 2020 to 2021 is being sourced from the Employment Insurance Operating Account and the Canada Pension Plan Account.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $11,020,603 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding EBP costs of $158,782) for Stabilization of IT in Support of Program Delivery as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

3. Funding for Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) (This item received funding from Treasury Board Vote 5 – Government Contingencies) - $8.0 million

   The CESB provided close to $3 billion in financial relief to over 700,000 eligible students and recent graduates. Eligible students received $1,250 per month, plus an additional $750 per month if they had dependants or a disability for a maximum of $2,000 per month.

   The CESB was available from May to August 2020 and students could apply retroactively until September 30, 2020. While the CESB has ended, the CRA is still processing approximately $8.0 million in applications. These applications were received prior to the September 30, 2020 deadline and are still pending due to verification delays. ESDC is requesting authority to include $8,000,000 in Vote 5 (Grant) for Canada Emergency Benefit (CESB) as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

4. Funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization – $6.7 million

   The Government of Canada announced the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) Programme in Budget 2017, when $12.1 million was committed to developing modern approaches to service delivery for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s 3 statutory programs, in a phased approach beginning with Employment Insurance (EI).

   The Government of Canada committed $12.5 million in Budget 2019. [Two paragraphs redacted].

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $6,690,134 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding EBP costs of $543,897) for the Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme Definition as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

5. Funding for Youth Digital Gateway – $5.0 million

   ESDC is requesting $5.0 million in funding for Youth Digital Gateway to support work this fiscal year related to the build and delivery of digital services that address the needs of the youth segment.

   Seeking to be the GC digital channel for youth employment, skills development, learning, and services, the YDG vision will be achieved by providing holistic, client-centric and new services for youth and youth partners that are accessible across a range of digital channels.

   In consultations with young Canadians on the modernization of YESS and the CSC, youth have informed the GC about how they would like to access information and what tools they envision to support them in their transition to the workplace and in taking part in volunteer service.

   The YDG project will respond to their suggestions and engage youth directly in the design, co-creation, and testing of new and improved digital services.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $5,001,890 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding EBP costs of $624,807) for Youth Digital gateway as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

6. Funding for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information – $3.1 million

   ESDC collects personal information from almost every Canadian, as well as a number of organizations, to facilitate timely, efficient and accurate delivery of its programs and services These programs and services range from collaborating with the provinces and territories to deliver the Social Insurance Number (SIN) at birth to providing benefits to eligible citizens via some of the Government of Canada's major statutory programs such as EI, CPP, OAS and voted grants and contributions.

   Recent high-profile breaches of personal information in both the public and private sector demonstrate that the risk of breach is real and present for organizations such as ESDC. Moreover, because these private sector data breaches compromised a significant number of Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) and other personal information used for identity validation, fraudulent phone scams targeting Canadians who access the Department’s programs and services are on the rise.

   With this in mind, the Department needs additional funds to invest in an access monitoring platform and program to prevent, detect and address insider threats and information misuse, as well as create stronger authentication tools and processes, and enhance digital solutions, to support identity verification and prevent fraud.

   For this initiative in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 ESDC received a total of $17,139,591 excluding EBP costs for $1,704,787. This includes funding of $14,003,702 from the EI Operating Account and $3,135,889 from the CRF.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $3,135,889 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding EBP costs of $315,701) for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

7. Funding for the resumption of in-person access at Service Canada Centres (SCC) (COVID-19) – $2.6 million

   To reopen SCCs safely while adhering to physical distancing measures, the department introduced Commissionaires/security guards stationed at the entrance to control entry, confirm health status and manage the number of walk-ins based on capacity limits while enhancing cleaning protocols in every SCCs.

   The department also installed see-through barriers (for example, Plexiglas) at client-receiving workstations and floor markers, signage and barriers to control flow.

   For this initiative in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 ESDC received a total of $17,690,233. This includes funding of $13,530,319 from the EI Operating Account, funding of $1,559,968 from the CPP Account and the CRF portion of $2,599,946.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $2,599,946 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures) for the resumption of in-person access at Service Canada Centres as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

8. Funding for improving gender and diversity outcomes in Skills programming – $0.9 million

   The Government of Canada is committed to improving gender and diversity outcomes in skills programs.

   Budget 2019 announced new funding of $5.0 million over 5 years to develop a strategy and improve capacity to better measure, monitor and address gender disparity and promote access of underrepresented groups across skills programming.

   This funding will enable ESDC to build on work already underway with key partners to improve the inclusiveness of skills programming.

   Having access to skills programs will enable more Canadians to get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs today and in the future.

   ESDC is requesting authority to include $896,560 in Vote 1 (Operating expenditures, excluding EBP costs of $100,706) for improving Gender and Diversity Outcomes in Skills Programming as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

9. Funding to authorize the inclusion and adjustment of an authority embedded in vote wording – $1

   The one-dollar item is used because no additional funding is required but an amount must be presented for parliamentary approval of the item. The one-dollar item is used to include an internal transfer from Vote 1 to Vote 10 to write off debts due to the Crown related to overpayments from the Government Annuities Account.

B. Transfers

1. Transfer from the Department of Indigenous Services to the Department of Employment and Social Development for the Kativik Regional Government to streamline delivery of youth programming – $0.6 million

   In March 2020, the Prime Minister announced additional investments of $492 million through the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy (FNIYES) across Canada who are facing barriers to employment.

   This funding will complement the programs and services that the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) delivers with respect to employment and training.

   This transfer to the KRG, provided through the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement between ESDC and KRG, consolidates funding, allowing for a reduction in administrative burden on KRG, especially in reporting, and allows for more streamlined service delivery to youth in Nunavik.

   ESDC is requesting authority to transfer $560,125 in Vote 5 (Contributions) for a transfer from the Department of Indigenous Services for the Kativik Regional Government to streamline delivery of youth programming as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

2. Internal reallocation of resources for the write-off debts due to the Crown related to overpayments from the Government Annuities Account – $25,064

   The Department is requesting a transfer of $25,064 from Vote 1 (Operating Expenditures) to Vote 10 (Debt write-off – Government Annuities Account) to allow the write-off of debts due to the Crown related to 465 overpayments from the Government Annuities Account. The Government Annuities Account write offs pertain to debts from 2015 to 2020.

   The majority of overpayments result from late notification of death.

   After all collection efforts have been exhausted, and overpayments cannot be recovered, the debts are then considered for write off.

   Provide authority to transfer from Employment and Social Development Vote 1, Operating expenditures, $25,064 in 2020 to 2021 to Vote 10 (Debt write-off - Government Annuities Account).

3. Transfer to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support skills and employment training services for youth, delivered by The Cree Nation Government, and to support skills and employment training services delivered by the 11 Self-Governing Yukon First Nations – $120,000

   In April 2019, ESDC launched the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program, the successor to the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS). The ISET program includes a number of new flexibilities, such as longer-term agreements, less administrative oversight and a different approach with modern treaty and self-governing groups.

   This approach under the ISET program included the transfer of program funding to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for a number of modern treaty and self-governing groups, including the Cree Nation Government.

   An outstanding amount of $120,000 for 2020 to 2021 is being transferred from ESDC to the Department of CIRNAC through the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (C) accompanied by an interdepartmental letter of agreements for the Cree Nation Government. [One sentence has been redacted].

   ESDC is requesting authority to transfer $120,000 in Vote 5 (Contributions) for a transfer to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support skills and employment training services for youth, delivered by The Cree Nation Government, and to support skills and employment training services delivered by the 11 Self-Governing Yukon First Nations as part of the Supplementary Estimates (C) 2020 to 2021.

C. Statutory Budgetary Authorities

1. Payments for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $12.4 billion

   The statutory forecast for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit was reduced to match the amount presented in the Fall Economic Statement in November 2020.

2. Old Age Security (OAS) Pension – Decrease of $100.1 million

   The decrease of $100.1 million is an amalgamation of 3 components:

   • a decrease in the forecasted average monthly rate for the OAS pension from $593.89 to $585.78, which accounts for a decrease of $648.4 million
   • an increase in the estimated number of beneficiaries from 6,617,129 to 6,649,521, which accounts for an increase of $232.6 million, and
   • a decrease in the anticipated OAS benefit re-payment which accounts for an increase in estimated OAS benefit payments of $315.7 million

3. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) – Increase of $37.8 million

   The increase of $37.8 million is an amalgamation of 2 components:

   • a decrease in the estimated number of beneficiaries from 2,220,198 to 2,210,957, which accounts for a decrease of $57.3 million, and
   • an increase in the forecasted average monthly rate from $522.54 to $526.14, which accounts for an increase of $95.1 million

4. Payments for the Canada Recovery Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act Benefit – Increase of $10.1 billion

   When Canadians needed support the most, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced, which helped more than 8.5 million people pay their bills during this challenging time.

   As the CERB came to an end, there was a transition to a simplified and more accessible EI Program and 3 new temporary recovery benefits were introduced to ensure that Canadians continue to receive the support they need when their employment is affected by COVID-19. The temporary Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) is 1 of these 3 benefits to support workers who are not eligible for EI.

   To be eligible, workers must not be employed or self-employed for reasons related to COVID-19 or must have had a reduction of at least 50% in income due to COVID-19.

   Under this benefit, a worker could receive $500 per week for up to 26 weeks as long as they are available and looking for work.

   This will help support Canadians and promote economic recovery.

   As of January 31, 2021, the CRB has helped over 1.7 million Canadians, for approximately $8.7 billion.

5. Payments for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $2.2 billion

   The statutory forecast for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit was reduced to match the amount presented in the Fall Economic Statement in November 2020.

6. Payments for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act – Increase of $2.9 billion

   The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit helps workers who must stay home to provide care to a young child or a family member who requires supervision when the school or facility is closed due to COVID-19 or the child or family member cannot attend due to COVID-19.

   It provides up to 26 weeks of support per household at $500 per week.

   As of January 31, 2021, over 0.3 million workers have received CRCB, for over $1.25 billion.

7. One-time payment to persons with disabilities pursuant to An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures – Increase of $0.4 million

   As a result of COVID-19, Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges, with some experiencing job insecurity. Others are seeing increased costs for personal support workers and other disability supports including; internet costs due to physical distancing requirements, and increased use of taxis and home delivery for food, medication and medical supplies.

   The Department of Employment and Social Development is requesting $0.4 million for adjustments to support Persons with Disabilities one-time payment as a result of the recently announced extension of the deadline to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) from September 25, 2020, to December 31, 2020. This requires ESDC to process and issue another payment in Spring 2021.

8. Payments for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit pursuant to the Canada Recovery Benefits Act – Increase of $0.8 billion

   The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) benefit provides $500 per week for up to 2 weeks for workers who are not receiving other paid leave and who are unable to work at least 50% of their normal work schedule because they contracted COVID-19, they must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19, or they have an underlying condition that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

   As of January 31, 2021, over 0.25 million workers have received the CRSB, for over $311 million.

9. Allowance Payments – Decrease of $5.8 million

   The decrease of $5.8 million is an amalgamation of 2 components:

   • a decrease in the forecasted average monthly rate from $621.11 to $616.09, which accounts for a decrease of $5.2 million, and
   • a decrease in the estimated number of beneficiaries from 85,871 to 85,782, which accounts for a decrease of $0.6 million

10. Canada Emergency Response Benefit pursuant to the Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020 – Increase of $500 million

    As the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health measures spread across the country and workplaces shuttered, the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

    CERB provided temporary income support to workers who had to stop working or were without employment or self-employment income because of reasons related to COVID-19.

    Workers received $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week), between March 15 and September 26, 2020. The deadline to retroactively apply for CERB was December 2, 2020. The CERB helped more than 8.5 million workers pay their bills during this challenging time, providing over $81 billion in benefit payments.

    The $500 million requested is for CERB applications received prior to the application deadline but paid after the December 31, 2020 repeal date of the Public Events of National Concern Payment Act.

11. Canada Disability Savings Grants – Increase of $40.6 million

    The decrease in Canada Disability Savings Grant expenditures is due to a change in the forecasting model. The original 2020-21 estimate was prepared based on a forecast simulation which overestimated expenditures for the grants. Since then, the program has adjusted its approach to forecasting expenditures and in the future the model will rely more heavily on the use of actual historical data to arrive at a more accurate forecast. Similar to previous years, grant forecasts will continue to be adjusted to better reflect the trends in actual expenditures in bonds and grants.

12. Contributions to employee benefit plans (EBP) – Increase of $1.7 million

    An adjustment of $1,743,953 to EBP costs related to 5 items requested in the Supplementary Estimates 2020 to 2021 (C).

    The 5 items are:

    • funding for Youth Digital gateway ($624,867)
    • funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization ($543,897)
    • funding for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information ($315,701)
    • funding for Stabilization of IT in Support of Program Delivery($158,782), and
    • funding for improving Gender and Diversity Outcomes in Skills Programming ($100,706)

13. Canada Disability Savings Bonds – Decrease of $200.5 million

    The decrease of $200.5 million in bond expenditures is due to a change in the forecasting model. The original 2020-21 forecast was prepared based on a forecast simulation which overestimated expenditures for the bond. Since then, the program has adjusted its approach to forecasting expenditures and in the future the model will rely more heavily on the use of actual historical data to arrive at a more accurate forecast. Similar to previous years, bond and grant forecasts will continue to be adjusted to better reflect the trends in actual expenditures in bonds and grants.

14. Payments to support a safe restart in Indigenous communities pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act – Decrease of $0.1 million

    In response to Covid-19, $120 million in new federal investments were approved to support the safe reopening of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) sector. In September 2020, access was granted to $91.6 million of these funds. The final $28.4 million were accessed in November 2020 and divided between ESDC, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada based upon engagement from Indigenous governments and stakeholders. The ESDC allocation has changed slightly, decreasing by $124,910, based upon these consultations.

Key quotes

None

4. Benefits Delivery Modernization

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $6.7 million in funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• The Government of Canada announced the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) Programme in Budget 2017, when $12.1M was committed to developing modern approaches to service delivery for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s 3 statutory programs, in a phased approach beginning with Employment Insurance (EI)
• The Government of Canada committed $12.5M in Budget 2019. [One paragraph has been redacted]

Response

• The Department of Employment and Social Development is requesting $6.7 million in funding to undertake activities to close the Programme Definition phase of the Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme
• The Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) Programme will ensure ESDC can continue to reliably and accurately provide Canadians with EI, CPP, and OAS benefits
• The BDM Programme is modernizing IT systems to enable service improvements, which will expand self-service options, reduce wait times, streamline application processes and enable resolution at first point of contact

Background

Programme’s Objectives

BDM will completely renew the business processes and technology for EI, CPP, and OAS, thereby transforming benefits delivery. BDM includes a business-focussed initiative to build a more responsive service delivery environment and an enabling technology component focused on replacing a suite of systems and tools built over 40 years ago, with a modern, integrated technology solution that will respond quickly to policy and other business changes as well as support expanding service delivery expectations of the future.

BDM is taking a phased approach to transform; leveraging best practices and lessons learned from the private sector and governments globally.

Foundational Work

Over the past 2 years foundational work has been undertaken as part of the BDM Programme, including:

• Engaging with industry and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive implementation plan
• Engaging with citizens and ESDC employees to design the modernized service delivery model
• Completing the first step in a collaborative procurement process, resulting in the onboarding of 7 qualified suppliers of IT systems and business solutions
• Establishing a Partner Relations Management (PRM) function, including delivery and implementation of key elements of the PRM Framework and the completion of the first round of vendor performance reviews based on COVID-19 and Prototyping TA performance
• Selecting BDM Core Technology through a well managed and transparent process
• Drafting of the vendor performance management guide for inclusion in the system integrator master services agreement
• Conducted 7 prototypes (Cloud, Deployment Approach, Curam capabilities, Data Model and Governance, Workforce and Workload mgt, User Experience and Solution Architecture) to de-risk the programme and inform design decisions: and
• Developing a relationship management charter

Allocation of Funds

[2 sentences have been redacted]. The funding identified in this request represents the Consolidated Revenue Fund portion (which supports the Old Age Security related activities of BDM, Programme Definition Phase).

Anticipated Results

A long-term, multi-phase BDM Programme will make the next generation of benefits processing capable of addressing dynamic client expectations, changing business and economic environment.

BDM is a business-led, IT-enabled transformation that will deliver tangible benefits for clients and employers through a broad range of e-services that are easy to use. Canadians will be provided with an enhanced, consistent, and modern client experience. Wait times will be reduced, applications streamlined, and there will be efficient delivery with faster payment of benefits, proactive communication and status updates to keep clients well-informed.

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

5. Funding for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $3.1 million in funding for Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key Facts

It is critical that the Government of Canada continue to invest in measures to protect the personal information of Canadians.

Response

• The Government of Canada is committed to the timely, efficient, and accurate delivery of its programming, benefits and services and to protecting the integrity and privacy of the personal and sensitive information entrusted to it by Canadians
• ESDC is the federal government's lead organization responsible for developing, managing and delivering a range of social programs and services. This mandated work inherently involves the collection of personal information from almost all Canadians at various points throughout their lives
• Accurately providing the right programs, benefits and services starts with acquiring and maintaining the right information from Canadians, and ensuring that this data is effectively safeguarded
• The proposed investment of $3.1 million will enable the Government to continue to strengthen its information safeguards, increasing its capacity to protect Canadians’ personal information against both internal and external threats

Background

ESDC collects personal information from almost all Canadians to facilitate timely, efficient, and accurate delivery of its programs and services.

As part of its core responsibilities, ESDC is committed to protecting the integrity and privacy of the personal data that it collects and retains through strong, well-established policies and procedures, which are continuously reviewed, updated and improved.

A recent risk and vulnerability assessment conducted by ESDC illustrates that while there are a number of security measures and controls in place, the Department needs to keep pace in an increasingly digital environment and do more to protect itself - and the information disclosed to it by Canadians - from proliferating and increasingly sophisticated threats.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s 2018–2019 Survey of Canadians on Privacy highlighted that 92% of Canadians have voiced concern about the protection of their privacy. In addition, 90% of Canadians have expressed feelings of fear about the potential for their personal information to be used to attempt or to steal their identity.

In 2020 to 2021, total funding of $17.81 million is required strengthen ESDC's capacity to protect the privacy of personal and sensitive information of Canadians. The program is sourced from the EI Operating Account for an amount of $14.0 million and the Consolidated Revenue Fund for an amount of $3.1 million.

Of this amount, funding of $3.1 million from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) is required for 2 priorities:

CRF funding in the amount of $0.4 million is required in 2020-2021 to advance work on a near real-time Access Monitoring platform and program that will provide ESDC with the visibility and traceability of the information accessed internally by employees across its programs, applications and databases.

In addition, CRF funding in the amount of $2.7 million is required in 2020 to 2021 to enable ESDC to work with federal-provincial/territorial (F-P/T) partners to advance a shared approach to client identity validation that will make it is easier for Canadians to securely access the Government of Canada's services.

These investments will help to improve the integrity activities across ESDC programs, contributing to the Department’s continuing efforts to reduce, prevent, identify and address error, abuse, fraud and potential identity theft.

It will also ensure that ESDC is better equipped to respond appropriately and effectively to existing and emerging threats of insider malfeasance, data hacks or leakages and privacy breaches.

Citations / Key quotes

“Privacy is one of the single biggest issues of our time and our government is working hard to protect the privacy of Canadians in this digital age.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board of Canada

“Our government is committed to making sure that Canadians’ personal information is protected and secure.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

6. Funding for the resumption of in-person access at Service Canada Centres (COVID-19)

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $2.6 million in funding for Service Canada Centres in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key Facts

Service Canada Centres (SCC) provide 8.5 million clients a year with in-person access to government programs and services including Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Passport Services and Social Insurance Number.

From July through December 15, the 303 SCCs reopened to the public have safely provided in-person services to over 795 000 clients who need our help the most.

Response

To reopen SCCs safely while adhering to physical distancing measures, the department introduced Commissionaires/security guards stationed at the entrance to control entry, confirm health status and manage the number of walk-ins based on capacity limits while enhancing cleaning protocols in every SCCs.

The department also installed see-through barriers (for example, Plexiglas) at client-receiving workstations and floor markers, signage and barriers to control flow.

The department is seeking $2.6 million in 2020 to 2021 to meet the cost of providing in-person services while protecting the health and safety of clients and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Service Canada provides in-person service through its network of 604 points of service; 317 full-time and part-time Service Canada Centres, 15 Service Delivery Partners, 247 Scheduled Outreach sites and 25 offices offering only passport services.

SCCs closed to the public in March 2020 as a temporary measure to protect the health and safety of employees and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, a new approach to service delivery was launched where clients can request help online and are then contacted by telephone within 2 business days. This online/callback service enables the continued delivery of services while protecting the health of clients and employees.

As local public health conditions permitted, 303 Service Canada Centres reopened to the public since July 2020.

To deliver in-person services, the department introduced Commissionaires/security guards stationed at the entrance to control entry, confirm health status and manage the number of walk-ins based on capacity limits while enhancing cleaning protocols in every SCCs.

Total funding of 2.6 million is requested through the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates C to meet costs associated with physical distancing requirements to protect the health and safety of citizen and employees.

Citations / Key quotes

“Privacy is one of the single biggest issues of our time and our government is working hard to protect the privacy of Canadians in this digital age.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board of Canada

“Our government is committed to making sure that Canadians’ personal information is protected and secure.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

7. Old Age Security (OAS)

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) projecting a decrease of $100.1 million for the Old Age Security (OAS) program in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

It is estimated that approximately $44.9 billion in Old Age Security (OAS) benefits will be paid to eligible beneficiaries in 2020 to 2021.

Response

• The change in forecasted expenditures for Old Age Security program benefits is the result of changes in the forecasted monthly rate, the estimated number of beneficiaries, and the estimated amount recovered from higher-income seniors through the Old Age Security Recovery Tax
• The net effect is a decrease of $100.1 million in estimated Old Age Security expenditures for 2020 to 2021
• The decrease represents a more accurate estimate of expenditures than what was possible when the Main Estimates were prepared

Background

The OAS program is the cornerstone of Canada's retirement income system and provides a minimum level of income to seniors in recognition of the contribution that they have made to Canadian society and the economy.

The expenditure forecast for the OAS program in the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates varied from the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary estimates; specifically, there is an overall decrease of $100.1 million in forecasted expenditures for the OAS program for 2020 to 2021, as estimated by Finance Canada in Fall Economic Statement 2020. This variance is the result of changes in the forecasted average monthly rate for all OAS benefits, as well as changes in the forecasted number of beneficiaries and the total amount recovered from higher income seniors through the OAS Recovery Tax. A more detailed breakdown is provided below:

OAS pension expenditure estimates - decrease of $100.1 million

The decrease of $100.1 million is an amalgamation of 3 components:

• A decrease in the forecasted average monthly rate for the OAS pension from $593.89 to $585.78, which accounts for a decrease of $648.4 million. While the monthly rate did not decline, the anticipated increases to the Consumer Price Index in 2020 to 2021 were lower that the estimates used for the Main Estimate forecasts
• An increase in the forecasted number of OAS pension beneficiaries from 6.62 million to 6.65 million, which accounts for an increase of $232.6 million
• A decrease in the anticipated OAS Recovery Tax, which accounts for an increase in estimated OAS pension expenditure of $315.7 million

8. Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments program

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) projecting an increase of $37.8 million for the Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments program in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

It is estimated that approximately $14.0 billion in Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments benefits will be paid to eligible beneficiaries in 2020 to 2021.

Response

• The change in forecasted expenditures for Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments benefits is the result of changes in the forecasted monthly rate and the estimated number of beneficiaries
• The net effect is an increase of $37.8 million in estimated Guaranteed Income Supplement Payments expenditures for 2020 to 2021
• The increase represents a more accurate estimate of expenditures than what was possible when the Main Estimates were prepared

Background

The expenditure forecast for the GIS program in the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates varied from the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary estimates; specifically, there is an overall increase of $37.8 million in forecasted expenditures for the GIS program for 2020 to 2021, as estimated by Finance Canada in Fall Economic Statement 2020. This variance is the result of changes in the forecasted average monthly rate for all GIS benefits and changes in the forecasted number of beneficiaries.

A more detailed breakdown is provided below:

• The increase of $37.8 million is an amalgamation of 2 components:
  • A decrease in the estimated number of beneficiaries from 2.22 million to 2.21 million, which accounts for a decrease of $57.3 million.
  • An increase in the forecasted average monthly rate from $522.54 to $526.14, which accounts for an increase of $95.1 million.

9. Payments to support a safe restart in Indigenous communities

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting a decrease of $0.1 million in funding to support a safe restart in Indigenous communities in Supplementary Estimates (C) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• In response to Covid-19, $120 million in new federal investments were approved to support the safe reopening of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) sector. In September 2020, access was granted to $91.6 million of these funds. The final $28.4 million were accessed in November 2020 and divided between ESDC, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada based upon engagement from Indigenous governments and stakeholders. The ESDC allocation has changed slightly, decreasing by $124,910, based upon these consultations
• The new funding is to ensure the continued availability of Indigenous ELCC spaces and to offset increased costs to Indigenous ELCC centres associated with implementing COVID-19 public health measures (for example, enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols and lower child to staff ratios)
• Communities are still eligible to receive the new temporary emergency Indigenous ELCC funding if early learning and child care sites are not yet opening in accordance with public health measures. Where this is the case, the temporary emergency funding will support the provision of alternative Indigenous ELCC programs and services for children and families

Response

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan commits to an additional $120 million for fiscal year 2020 to 2021 to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners meet the challenges and costs associated with meeting COVID-19 public health measures and support the safe reopening of:
  • 463 child care sites in First Nation and Inuit communities
  • 341 Aboriginal Head Start programs on reserve, and
  • 134 Aboriginal Head Start programs in urban and northern communities
• Up to 35,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis children who participate in Indigenous ELCC programming are expected to benefit
• This new funding is in addition to this government’s investment of $1.7 billion over 10 years, starting in 2018, for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care and the $132 million provided annually through the 3 existing federally-funded Indigenous ELCC programs

Background

• Budget 2017 provided $1.7 billion over 10 years for the implementation of the Indigenous ELCC Framework. This funding complements investments made by provinces and territories in early learning and child care under the Multilateral ELCC Framework, in which the federal, provincial and territorial governments agreed to work together to address some of the key ELCC issues across the country
• On September 17, 2018, the Government of Canada jointly released the co-developed Framework with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council. It captures the views and recommendations of Indigenous peoples and organizations that participated in extensive 2017 engagements
• The Indigenous ELCC Framework sets the stage for Indigenous led ELCC systems policy, programs and supports for Indigenous children and families, now and in the future. It sets out a vision, principles and is a guide for all actors in the Indigenous ELCC sphere
• The distinctions-based Indigenous ELCC funding envelopes are managed in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation. This partnership model – in which First Nations, Inuit and Métis Governments make decisions jointly with the Government of Canada on Indigenous ELCC funding for priorities of their choosing – is already being implemented across the country as part of the Indigenous ELCC Transformation Initiative
• It has led to funding allocation decisions at the regional level endorsed by Indigenous leadership that consider the specific context of each region. Reporting will show how emergency funding contributed to the safe provision of ELCC programs and activities during the pandemic period, including preparation for reopening of ELCC sites. Results will be bundled as part of contribution agreement’s year-end reporting to streamline the process and ease the reporting burden. Every effort will be made by officials to apply flexibility, where required, recognizing the additional pressures relating to COVID-19

Key quotes

N/A

*Public Health Event of National Concern Payments Act (PHENCPA)

10. Vulnerable populations

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to address COVID-19’s impact on vulnerable Canadians?

Key facts

• COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations less prepared to deal with the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Risks of stress, hardship and abuse rise as isolation increases and gaps emerge in the social supports on which these Canadians rely. In-person and often in-home contact as well as group activities play a key role in supporting vulnerable populations
• Demands on community support programs are growing rapidly at a time when the number of volunteers is falling. Significant challenges are emerging as front-line staff work to adapt and deliver essential services while minimizing social contact

Response

• One of the most important roles of our Government during this pandemic is to support vulnerable Canadians, including seniors, children and youth at risk, people with disabilities, women, people experiencing homelessness, and members of the Black, racialized and LGBTQ2 communities
• The need to reduce social contact to limit the spread of COVID-19 has opened gaps in programs for vulnerable people. It has led to:
  • New challenges in connecting vulnerable persons such as seniors with the supplies or services they need (for example, too few volunteers to deliver meals or take seniors to medical appointments)
  • Elimination of in-person, one-on-one support for vulnerable persons (for example cancellation of friendly visits to elderly people or in-home supports for isolated seniors), and
  • Cancellation of group programs (for example, cancellation of day programs for seniors)

Support for Seniors in community

• On March 29th, the Prime Minister announced $9M in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program to the United Way Centraide Canada to fund projects in each province and territory to support isolated, vulnerable seniors cope with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These investments helped to provide essential services to seniors such as the delivery of groceries and medications, meal preparation, transportation to necessary medical appointments or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports. More than 900 projects were supported through this funding
• As well, on May 12th, the Government announced an additional investment of $20 million to the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network. More than 1,000 projects were funded through this investment
• In addition to the additional investments, the Government provided flexibility to organizations who received funding through the 2019 to 2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream call for proposals. Organizations had the flexibility to use this funding to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19, rather than being limited to their original objectives. The approximately 2,800 community organizations, representing close to $50 million in funding, that were approved through this call, could use their funding to deliver services to seniors in the community such as food and medication, or provide tablet computers to help seniors stay connected to their loved ones through video-conferencing
• The twenty-two Collective Impact initiatives funded through the NHSP pan-Canadian stream were also provided the flexibility to pivot their project activities to address issues related to the pandemic. Organizations shifted from in-person activities to virtual programming, such as the Seniors Centre Without Walls telephone program or online training on how to support isolated LGBTQ2+ seniors
• The 2020 to 2021 NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects was held in September and October 2020. Under this call, organizations were eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding. In addition, small grants of up to $5,000 were available to organizations that had not received funding within the last 5 years. While organizations had to address at least 1 of the Program’s 5 objectives, project proposals could also address issues affecting seniors during the pandemic. Projects are expected to be announced in March 2021

Emergency Community Support Fund

• The Government of Canada also invested $350 million through the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need. The Fund, launched on May 19th, worked with 3 national intermediaries: the United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada, to deliver this funding. These intermediaries channeled funds through their regional and local partners to local community organizations who support a wide range of vulnerable populations
• Examples of activities of funded community organizations included:
  • Increased volunteer-based home deliveries or transportation services (for example, delivery of medications or accompanying/driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments)
  • Scaled up help-lines that provide information and support (for example, increasing access to the 211 service of the United Way)
  • Provided training, supplies and other supports required so that volunteers can continue to make their invaluable contribution to the COVID-19 response, and
  • Replaced in-person one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through means like phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the internet
• The intermediary model focussed investments on community-identified immediate needs through local organizations with an intimate knowledge of local priorities. It also provided the flexibility to offer additional support and address the different needs of communities as the pandemic evolved. All funding has been allocated and over 11,500 projects were supported in diverse communities across the country

Homelessness

Since March 2020, the Government has committed a total of $693.6 million in additional funding for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy in 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 to support communities in addressing the needs of those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reaching Home provides a community-based approach to deliver funding directly to municipalities and local service providers.

Background

Community organizations are on the frontlines, serving critical community needs both in times of stability and crisis. Many vulnerable Canadians, such as seniors, children and youth at risk, people with disabilities, women, racialized communities such as Black Canadians, people experiencing homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ2 community rely on these organizations, and that reliance often rises in times of hardship. They provide meals to isolated seniors, services to children and youth at risk, shelter for the homeless, support for those fleeing domestic abuse, addiction counselling, settlement services for recent immigrants, and countless other contributions.

To-date, the Government of Canada has announced a number of initiatives that support charitable and non-profit organizations in addressing COVID-19-related issues. Examples include:

• $100M for Food Banks and Local Food Organizations
• $693.6M in additional funding ($394.2M in 2020 to 2021; $299.4M in 2021 to 2022) to the Reaching Home-funded communities to support people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak
• $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities, and
• $350 million for the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need

The New Horizons for Seniors Program is the single largest funder of programming to combat social isolation among seniors in Canada with an annual budget of $70 million. While it is well-known for its small grants that support social participation and inclusion, the Program also funds more complex multi-year projects involving groups of seniors-serving organizations working together.

The Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic recognizes that older persons are particularly affected by the crisis and is increasing supports to seniors in various ways. The Government of Canada is providing support to voluntary and service organizations who are working to provide necessary services to seniors, and has introduced several new measures to protect seniors’ financial security.

As announced by the Prime Minister March 29, 2020, the NHSP provided $9 million in funding to the United Way Centraide Canada to fund organizations across Canada to support isolated, vulnerable seniors cope with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New flexibilities were then introduced so that NHSP funded projects could re-orient their project activities to respond to pressing needs of seniors that arose from the pandemic. For example, under the community-based stream of the Program, organizations helped seniors stay connected to their community and family, and supported the delivery of food and medication to seniors at home. Under the pan-Canadian stream, organizations shifted to activities such as virtual programming, like the Seniors Centre Without Walls telephone program or online training on how to support isolated LGBTQ2+ seniors.

The $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund complemented these investments and supported community organizations serving vulnerable populations to adapt and reorient their services in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Emergency Community Support Fund was delivered through the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) of ESDC. SDPP is a flexible and responsive program focused on supporting children and families, including seniors, persons with disabilities and Black Canadians. ESDC has pioneered innovations in federal funding to charities and non-profits, and has found the intermediary model to be an efficient mechanism that can rapidly distribute funds in a manner that is responsive to community needs.

To support a wide range of community organizations serving vulnerable populations, the Emergency Community Support Fund relied on 3 main intermediaries, the United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and the Community Foundations of Canada.

Those 3 intermediaries:

• flowed funding quickly to local organizations that needed it the most
• conducted fair and transparent assessment processes
• minimized duplication through national and local coordination, and
• were accountable for the use of the funds and its results

From May 19, 2020 to October 30, 2020, community-based organizations from across the country could apply for funding through the Emergency Community Support Fund to support a variety of activities that addressed a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19. All funding has been allocated and over 11,500 projects were supported in diverse communities across the country.

In addition, ESDC worked with the Canadian Red Cross to train and equip the volunteers and staff of community organizations to safely provide services; and the United Way to enhance the social services helpline 211.

To address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the Government invested additional funds in Reaching Home. The Program began providing additional funding as of April 1, 2020 to 58 Designated Communities (including in Quebec), 30 communities receiving funding directly under the Indigenous Homelessness stream, and the 3 territorial capitals; and recipients of the Rural and Remote Homelessness stream and for Indigenous Homelessness stream investments not allocated to specific communities. Later rounds of funding extended support to 6 additional Designated Communities and several Modern Treaty Holders.

11. Anti-Racism and GBA

Issue

ESDC is expanding its GBA+ capacity by ensuring inclusion of a Black-centric Lens that is intended to ensure policy and program development is more inclusive of and responsive to Black Canadians and Black Communities.

Key facts

• Recent events of violence against Black populations have made it urgent to address anti-Black racism
• As of July 2020, Black Canadians are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as non-minority Canadians. Black Canadians born in Canada have a lower employment rate than established Black immigrants
• The results of a national study indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic has also had a disproportionate impact on the health and finances of Black Canadians

Response

• ESDC's mandate is to support all Canadians, including marginalized populations such as Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, seniors and others. Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) helps the Department to understand the experiences of diverse populations and the impacts of programs, policies and services on different groups of Canadians
• ESDC has taken significant steps in implementing a rigorous, evidence-based approach to implementing GBA+. Beyond gender, the Department is focusing on the “plus” – such as race, language, disability and the intersections between them
• ESDC is developing a Black-centric Lens as part of GBA+. A Black-centric Lens will allow us to ensure that Black Canadian communities’ histories, needs and lived experiences are taken into account when designing or modifying the department’s programs, policies and services
• As well, the Department has developed mandatory diversity and inclusion training to increase awareness of issues related to racism, unconscious bias and intercultural competence at all levels in the organization

Background

As part of ESDC’s support of the United Nations’ International Decade for Persons of African Descent as well as other recent events that have demonstrated an urgent need to address anti-Black racism, the department is developing a Black Centric lens. The lens will be embedded in the GBA+ process to help department employees take the history, needs and lived experiences of Black Canadian communities into account when designing or modifying programs, policies and services.

The Black-centric lens is being developed in partnership with Black Canadian organizations to ensure that it reflects this specific group’s needs, priorities and concerns. Engagement sessions with Black Community organizations across the country are currently underway. These sessions will help the Department develop the Black-centric lens and understand key considerations that it should focus on when developing programs, policies and services.

The more representative ESDC's workforce is, the better it will be at implementing GBA+ in its work. ESDC is advancing recruitment initiatives, including building candidate inventories and leading targeted events for racialized communities. The department is also examining how to improve retention and advancement of employees from racialized and other diversity communities.

ESDC continues to work with diversity communities and stakeholders to define the department’s Anti-Racism learning needs while partnering with the Canada School of Public Service to influence the ongoing development of GoC Anti-Racism learning offerings, in addition to the currently available Anti-Racism Event Series.

The ESDC’s new Richness of Diversity and Inclusion course addresses the Intercultural Competency as well as fundamental concepts such as Unconscious Bias and civility, and was co-developed with all of department’s diversity communities (for example, Employee Pride Network, Employees with Disabilities Network, Indigenous Employees’ Circle, Visible Minorities Network, YMAGIN, etc.). The course will be part of ESDC’s Mandatory Curriculum for Employees in April 2021.

In addition to this mandatory training, ESDC has organized 2 national, department-wide learning events since November 2020 that address anti-racism and honour the contribution of our Black employees: (1) Black Careers Matter (at which Minister Hussen delivered opening remarks) and (2) Being Black in Canada: Then and Now.

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

12. Black Canadian Communities

Issue

An investment of $25 million over 5 years to build capacity in Black Canadian communities was announced in Budget 2019.

Key facts

Currently, visible minorities account for 6.3 million of Canada's total population. The Black Canadian population has doubled to over 1.2 million since 1996.

Black Canadians remain 1 of Canada`s most disadvantaged populations in areas such as employment, housing, justice, and other key socio-economic and health factors.

Recent Statistics Canada COVID-19 data show that Black Canadians are more affected by the virus than other Canadians.

Response

• Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of Canadian identity, a source of social and economic strength, and something that all Canadians can be proud of
The Government is committed to fostering and promoting a Canada where every person is able to fully and equally participate in our country’s economic, cultural, social and political life
• In 2019, and in recognition of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, this government created the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and invested $25 million over 5 years to build organizational capacity and fund capital projects in Canada’s diverse Black communities
• In August 2019, the first 2 elements of the Initiative were announced:
  • The feasibility study to examine the key parameters necessary for the creation of a Canadian Institute for People of African Descent dedicated to playing a comprehensive role in research, knowledge development and dissemination, on a wide range of issues of interest to Black Canadians, and
  • The use of Black-led intermediary organizations to fund projects to smaller grassroots not-for-profit organizations that serve Black communities across Canada
• Since then, the government accelerated its Budget 2019 investments in order to effectively respond to the significant and ongoing challenges faced by far too many Black Canadians and laid bare by the COVID 19 pandemic
• As part of this investment, the Department launched a capital call for proposal in June 2020, to provide $3 million in capital assistance to grassroots Black-led organizations. The Department learned quickly through this call of the magnitude of the infrastructure capacity needs of community organizations. [An additional $10 million has been committed to fund capital projects.]
• Similarly, contribution agreements were signed with 3 intermediaries, Tropicana Community Services, the Black Business Initiative, and Le Groupe 3737, creating a national network of Black-led Intermediaries. These 3 intermediaries launched a call for proposals and are funding 87 grassroots organizations across Canada
• The Department is also working on the addition of a fourth intermediary located in Western Canada in order to create a stronger national network of Black-led intermediaries to meet the demonstrated needs of Black Canadian communities
• As committed in the 2020 Speech from the Throne, and the Fall Economic Statement, the Government accepts that it must do more to support Black and racialized communities and redouble efforts to help support their economic empowerment. Community organizations will continue to be at the heart of these efforts

Background

In January 2018, the Prime Minister announced that Canada would sign on to the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent and committed to taking concrete actions and special measures to address systemic discrimination, which slowed the progress of Black Canadians and, in turn grassroots community organizations’ capacity to build sustained solutions.

Budget 2019 provided $25M over 5 years, starting in 2019 to 2020, to establish the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI). The SBCCI’s mandate is to build foundational infrastructure within Black communities and increase the awareness of the realities of Black communities within government in order to better address issues of anti-Black racism and respond to the UN Decade for People of African Descent’s goals of equity and inclusion.

In April 2020, the Prime Minister announced a $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt frontline services for vulnerable Canadians during COVID-19. The Fund provides funding to national intermediaries with networks across the country, including United Way Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Community Foundations of Canada. These partners are disbursing funds to local community-based organizations working with vulnerable populations, including seniors, persons with disabilities, members of LGBTQ2 communities, veterans, newcomers, women, children and youth, and members of Indigenous communities and racialized communities, such as Black Canadians.

Citations / Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders Canadian Labour Congress

“The Congress highlighted other positive announcements in today’s federal budget, including… Funding to support a new anti-racism strategy, funding for LGBTQ2+ organizations and establishment of an LGBTQ2+ Secretariat, Gender Equality funding to expand the Women’s Program and funds for Black Canadian communities.”

(News Release, 19 March 2019)

13. Poverty Reduction Strategy

Issue

Update on Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy and Impact on Racialized Canadians.

Key facts

• In 2015, the poverty rate for the total visible minority population was 20.6% as compared to 10.6% for the non-visible minority population, based on the 2016 Census. Amongst the visible minority population, there are instances where poverty rates are more than double that of the non-visible minority population. Poverty rates are the highest amongst the following visible minority groups: West Asian (33.4%), Arab (32.6%), Korean (32.2%), Chinese (23.3%) and Black (23.2%)
• There was a decrease in the overall poverty rate in 2018. According to Canada’s Official Poverty Line, there were approximately 4 million people in poverty in Canada in 2018 (11%), meaning that approximately 1,091,000 fewer Canadians were living in poverty relative to 2015
• There was a decrease in the poverty rate for children under 18 in 2018. According to Canada’s Official Poverty Line, there were approximately 748,000 children in poverty in Canada in 2018 (10.8%), meaning that approximately 367,000 fewer children were living in families in poverty in 2018 relative to 2015
• There was a decrease in the poverty rate for seniors in 2018. A total of 352,000 seniors lived below Canada’s Official Poverty Line in 2018 (5.6%), meaning that approximately 42,000 fewer seniors were in poverty in 2018 relative to 2015. This decline reverses the trend of increased seniors’ poverty that had been observed between 2014 and 2015

Response

• In a country as prosperous as Canada, all Canadians should have a real and fair chance to succeed. That is why, on August 21, 2018, the Government of Canada released Opportunity for All: Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Opportunity for All lays out a bold vision of a Canada without poverty and will use Canada’s Official Poverty Line to measure progress towards the poverty reduction targets. It also establishes the National Advisory Council on Poverty whose first annual report on progress 'Building Understanding: The First Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty' was tabled in the House of Commons on February 23, 2021
• Results from the 2018 Canadian Income Survey, released on February 24, 2020, show that between 2015 and 2018, over 1 million of Canadians were lifted out of poverty. Key poverty reduction initiatives such as the Canada Child Benefit, the increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canada Workers Benefit have contributed to this sustained progress. Even as the poverty rate in Canada continues its downward trend, we know that there are populations that are more vulnerable to living in poverty than others, including some racialized Canadians. In addition, while the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poverty reduction is still unknown, we know that vulnerable populations have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic
• The Government is committed to ensuring that these groups receive the support they need to have a real and fair chance to succeed

Background

The Government of Canada undertook extensive engagement with Canadians to inform the development of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. The nation wide engagement process, launched on February 13, 2017, gave Canadians an opportunity to have their say on reducing poverty through a Poverty Reduction Strategy engagement website, including discussion forums and online town halls. The online engagement was complemented by roundtables with stakeholders; Indigenous organizations; businesses; community organizations; academic experts and Canadians who have experienced poverty.

Three major themes emerged from the engagement and form the 3 pillars of the Poverty Reduction Strategy: 1) Dignity: Lifting Canadians out of poverty by ensuring basic needs – such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, and healthcare – are met; 2) Opportunity and Inclusion: Helping Canadians join the middle class by promoting full participation in society and equality of opportunity; and, 3) Resilience and Security: Supporting the middle class by protecting Canadians from falling into poverty and by supporting income security and resilience.

Opportunity for All acknowledges that many Canadians struggle to get ahead because of barriers beyond their control, such as discrimination or unacceptable prejudices. For example, Black Canadians and people from other racialized communities can face discrimination that prevents them from getting a good job despite being qualified, or from advancing in their career. Discrimination based on skin colour can also lead to social exclusion, whether in the workplace or in the community.

Based on understanding the linkages between poverty and discriminatory barriers, Opportunity for All was developed using a Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) lens in order to take into consideration the variation in experiences and barriers that different groups face related to poverty.

Understanding the unique risk factors, the impact of intersecting experiences and the needs of diverse groups will help the Government to tailor interventions under the Strategy to more effectively address poverty in Canada.

Opportunity for All includes long-term commitments to guide current and future government’s actions and investments:

Canada’s Official Poverty Line - For the first time in Canada’s history, the Government sets an official measure of income poverty based on Statistics Canada’s Market Basket Measure (MBM). The Poverty Reduction Act requires the MBM to be reviewed regularly to ensure that basket costs are up-to-date and that basket contents reflect the items required to meet basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living.

A joint Statistics Canada – ESDC review of the MBM was launched in the fall of 2018. Statistics Canada was responsible for launching the review, updating the statistical methodology, and leading public consultations. ESDC was responsible for determining the scope of the review and setting the policy direction. Statistics Canada and ESDC have now completed the review, with new poverty statistics based on the 2018-based being released on September 8, 2020.

Poverty Reduction Targets - Canada’s Official Poverty Line will be used to measure progress toward 2 targets for poverty reduction, using a baseline year of 2015: reduce the rate of poverty by 20% by 2020 (target met in 2017); and reduce the rate of poverty by 50% by 2030. The targets are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Data and Measurement Plan - In addition to the introduction of Canada’s Official Poverty Line, the Government is making improvements to the measurement of poverty that will help address data gaps and help track progress.

A Dashboard of poverty indicators has been created to allow Canadians to track progress against the targets and other dimensions of poverty aligned with the 3 pillars and is available of Statistics Canada website.

National Advisory Council on Poverty - To ensure accountability to Canadians, the Government has established a National Advisory Council on Poverty with a mandate to both advise the Government on poverty reduction and to produce a report on the progress in poverty reduction that will be tabled annually in Parliament. The Advisory Council hosted a series of engagement dialogue sessions with stakeholders (including persons with lived experience) in early 2020 to inform their first annual report 'Building Understanding: The First Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty', which was tabled in the House of Commons on February 23, 2021.

Poverty Reduction Legislation - To cement the commitment to reducing poverty, the Poverty Reduction Act entrenches into law Canada’s Official Poverty Line, the poverty reduction targets, and the National Advisory Council on Poverty.

Budget 2018 announced an investment of $12.1 million over 5 years, and $1.5 million per year thereafter, to address key gaps in poverty measurement in Canada. Statistics Canada is currently working collaboratively with territorial governments to develop a basket of goods and services unique to territory. This will ensure that Canada’s Official Poverty Line is available in all regions of Canada.

As part of Opportunity for All, the Government has also committed to working with National Indigenous Organizations and others to identify and co-develop indicators of poverty and well-being that reflect the multiple dimensions of poverty and well-being experienced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit. This work is underway.

Citations / Key quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it. Through investments in programs like the Canada Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, over 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty since 2015, including 367,000 children and 42,000 seniors.”

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“The federal government is to be congratulated on its just-released Poverty Reduction Strategy.”

Michael Wolfson (Member of the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa)

“We are certainly excited that the vision of this strategy includes working towards a ‘Canada without poverty’ and recognizes the role that systemic discrimination plays as a barrier to people living in poverty.”

Leilani Farha, Executive Director, Canada Without Poverty

“The first poverty reduction strategy is an important new starting point in the battle against poverty in Canada.”

Anita Khanna, National Coordinator, Campaign 2000

14. Poverty line: Market Basket Measure

Issue

Completion of the Second Comprehensive Review of the Market Basket Measure (MBM).

Key facts

• Between 2015 and 2018, there was a decrease in the overall poverty rate. Over 1 million Canadians were lifted out of poverty using the MBM (regardless of the MBM base year used, 2008 or 2018). In addition, the interim 20% poverty reduction target is met. Under the 2018-MBM base, there were approximately 4 million people in poverty in Canada in 2018 (11%), meaning that approximately 1,091,000 fewer Canadians were living in poverty relative to 2015. Under the 2008-MBM base, about 1,065,000 Canadians were lifted out of poverty since 2015
• There was a decrease in the poverty rate for children under 18 in 2018. According to the 2018-MBM base, there were approximately 748,000 children in poverty in Canada in 2018 (10.8%), meaning that approximately 367,000 fewer children were living in families in poverty in 2018 relative to 2015. A similar drop in the child poverty rate between 2015 and 2018 was also observed under the 2008-base
• There was a decrease in the poverty rate for seniors in 2018. Under the 2018-MBM base, a total of 352,000 seniors lived below Canada's Official Poverty Line (COPL) in 2018 (5.6%), meaning that approximately 42,000 fewer seniors were in poverty in 2018 relative to 2015. Under the 2008-base, a similar downward trend in poverty statistics for seniors was also observed between 2015 and 2018
• The 2018-MBM base yielded poverty lines that varied between $37,397 (urban region of less than 30,000 inhabitants in Quebec) and $48,677 (Vancouver). These lower and upper bounds were higher than those observed during the First Comprehensive Review. In comparison, under the 2008- MBM base, the lowest and highest poverty thresholds were respectively $33,115 (urban region of 30,000 to 99,999 inhabitants in Quebec) and $42,101 (Toronto)
• There was an increase of 2.3% age points in the national poverty rate between the 2008-MBM base and the 2018-MBM base, the proportion of people living in poverty rose from 8.7 to 11%. In 2018, about 4 million Canadians were deemed to be poor under the 2018-MBM base compared to 3.2 million under the 2008-MBM base
• The increase in poverty statistics between the 2008-MBM base and the 2018-MBM base was mainly driven by the increase of the shelter cost which varied between 15.1% (urban Albertan regions of 30,000 to 99,999 inhabitants) and 52.9% (Edmonton)

Response

• For the first time in Canada’s history, the Government has set an official measure of poverty – Canada’s Official Poverty Line – which will be used to measure progress towards the poverty reduction targets
• Canada's Official Poverty Line is based on the Market Basket Measure (MBM). The MBM is a made-in-Canada measure that reflects the combined costs of a basket of goods and services that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living. The MBM was first established based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services in 2008. It has subsequently been reviewed and updated
• To ensure that Canada’s Official Poverty Line continues to reflect the up-to-date cost of a basket of goods and services representing a modest, basic standard of living, Statistics Canada launched a review of the COPL in the fall of 2018. In September 2020, Statistics Canada and ESDC completed the Second Comprehensive Review of the Market Basket Measure (MBM)
• The changes made to the MBM as a result of the review were informed by the Review’s broad consultation process which engaged Canadians, poverty experts, stakeholder organizations and officials from provincial, territorial and federal governments to hear their views on how to refine and improve the measure. The proposed changes were subsequently validated by experts, stakeholders and provincial-territorial officials
• On September 8, 2020, Statistics Canada officially released the new poverty statistics based on the new 2018 MBM
• Revised poverty statistics based on 2018 MBM base, show that Canada’s poverty rate continues to trend downward over time, with over 1,000,000 fewer individuals living in poverty in 2018 relative to 2015
• Canada also continues to meet its interim poverty reduction target of a 20% reduction in poverty by 2020

Background

• STC currently publishes data on 3 measures of low income:
  • Low-Income Measure (LIM) – a relative measure defining low income as being below 50% of median household incomes
  • Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO) – originally designed as a relative measure but now based on a fixed income threshold, the LICO is considered to be an absolute measure under which a household is in low income if it spends 20% ages points more on food, shelter and clothing than the average family in 1992
  • Market Basket Measure (MBM) – an absolute measure tracking the inability to purchase a specific basket of goods and services that is updated over time to reflect current standards
• The Poverty Reduction Act established the MBM as Canada’s Official Poverty Line and requires it to be reviewed, on a regular basis as determined by STC, to ensure that it reflects the up-to-date cost of a basket of goods and services representing a modest, basic standard of living in Canada
• Unlike relative low income measures, the MBM reflects families’ capacity to afford to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living. By contrast relative low income measures reflect how well off families are relative to other families across the country (i.e., the overall income distribution)
• The MBM traces its origin back to 1998 and its construction was based on the concept of “creditability” developed by the famous economist Adam Smith. This concept means that even low-income people need goods and services beyond basic necessities to feel included in the society
• The MBM basket is calculated based on the costs of a basket of goods and services that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living
• The MBM basket includes items such as healthy food, appropriate shelter and home maintenance, clothing and transportation, as well as other goods and services that allow Canadians to participate in their community
• The value of the MBM basket is compared against a measure of family MBM disposable income where a family with an income below the appropriate threshold for their family’s size and region is considered to be living in poverty
• Disposable income for the purposes of the MBM is based on total income (including government transfers) after deducting not only income taxes but also several non-discretionary expenditures such as Employment Insurance, CPP contribution, child care expenses and direct medical expenses
• The MBM currently reflects poverty thresholds for 53 regions across Canada, including 19 communities.Recognizing the need for a non-partisan and statistically-robust official measure of poverty, decisions related to the MBM review have been delegated to the Deputy Minister of ESDC and the Chief Statistician
• A joint STC – ESDC Second Comprehensive Review of the MBM was launched in the fall of 2018 and was completed in August 2020. STC was responsible for launching the review, updating the statistical methodology, and leading public consultations. ESDC was responsible for determining the scope of the review and setting the policy direction
• The Second Comprehensive Review of the MBM was informed by broad consultations with Canadians, experts, and provincial and territorial officials, and was based on a transparent process where progress is publicly communicated
• From September 2018 to January 2019, STC undertook consultations with experts, as well as other groups of interested Canadians, as part of the review. These consultations included an anonymous online survey with Canadians regarding the existing MBM thresholds; a series of face-to-face and focus group sessions with Canadians with lived experiences of poverty; an online “Chat with an Expert” question and answer session; a 2-day meeting with provinces and territories; and a 2-day meeting with academics and non-governmental organizations interested in poverty
• As part of the Review, STC has published 4 discussion papers:
  • “An update on the Market Basket Measure comprehensive review” (July 2019) - Summarizes feedback from MBM review consultations conducted by STC and describes review next steps
  • “Towards an update of the Market Basket” (December 2019) - Describes considerations for updating the 5 components of the MBM basket and proposes some changes to their calculations
  • “Defining disposable income in the Market Basket Measure” (December 2019) - Describes considerations for updating the disposable income concept for the new Market Basket Measure
  • “Report on the second comprehensive review of the Market Basket Measure” (February 2020) - Describes final proposed changes and provisional 2015-2018 data based on the new 2018 MBM

Citations / Key quotes

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15. Basic income

Issue

Growing interest in the idea of a basic income in Canada.

Key facts

• While the term “basic income” (BI) has multiple meanings, it usually refers to programming that provides recipients with guaranteed incomes sufficient to meet basic needs, with few conditions and no requirements to have or seek employment. While benefits could be universal with tax-back provisions for higher-income recipients, Canadian experts generally anticipate income testing so that payments are only made to people with incomes below a specified threshold. A partial basic income would feature payments that cover some but not all essential needs and would supplement other income sources
• In the context of concerns about poverty and the changing nature of work, public interest in a basic income has been increasing, and some experts and stakeholders have advocated research such as pilot projects or other steps towards implementation
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in the social safety net and fuelled interest in, and support for, basic income

Response

• This is a challenging time for all Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking significant actions to help people facing hardship at this time because of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The Government of Canada already has programs with the features of a partial basic income, such as the Canada Child Benefit for families with children, and the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors
• Since April 2020, the Government has invested billions of dollars in measures to help Canadians facing challenges related to the health, social, and economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
• The Government of Canada recently made several commitments that will help to address poverty. In the Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system, in partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples. The Government is also investing in housing; carrying out a campaign to create jobs; supporting initiatives to improve food security; and bringing forward a new benefit and employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities
• We will continue to monitor research and analysis on basic income and, in response to COVID-19, we are exploring potential shorter and longer-term policy responses to build a resiliency agenda for the middle class and people working hard to join it

Responsive – Is the federal government planning to work with provinces or territories, such as P.E.I., to support a basic income pilot?

The federal government recognizes the importance of working with provincial and territorial counterparts to find solutions to common challenges. It is important to recognize that provincial and territorial governments have a key role in decisions about the design and delivery of income support programming.

For example, if a provincial or territorial government decides to proceed with a basic income pilot, the Government of Canada would be pleased to share federal-level administrative, survey, and tax data that could support program design and evaluation.

Background

The debate over basic income

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased calls from a range of stakeholders and experts to introduce a basic income, with the goals of reducing poverty and inequality, addressing the changing nature of work (including automation and increases in precarious employment), and improving population health and well-being. A recent report issued by UBI Works highlighted potential economic benefits that could result from a basic income, such as increases to employment and the Gross Domestic Product.

In April 2020, fifty senators signed a letter that advocated building on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to establish a “crisis minimum income” for the short-term and then pursue further social and economic reforms.

In a May 2020 brief to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Basic Income Canada Network said that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, “a basic income provides a foundation of stability, security, a measure of confidence and a level of trust in government that will make good outcomes possible.”

Critics of basic income express concerns about the anticipated costs and disincentives to work, and many oppose payments without requirements to work or seek employment. As well, some critics suggest that, rather than a basic income, governments should increase expenditures on social services such as Pharmacare, dental coverage, childcare, housing, and public transit.

Existing federal programming

Provinces and territories have significant authority in the area of income support. Previous communication from ESDC has indicated that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges, while stating that it is up to the provincial and territorial governments to make decisions around the design of social assistance systems and policies in their own jurisdictions.

Some Government of Canada initiatives have many of the features of a partial basic income for specific groups. This includes the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), which provides income support to families raising children. For Canadian seniors, the Old Age Security (OAS) program plays a significant role in providing income security. OAS pensioners who receive little or no income, other than the OAS pension, are eligible for additional assistance through the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

The government has made significant efforts to address the short-term needs of Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. These initiatives include the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and Canada Recovery Benefits to help replace lost incomes, as well as changes to make Employment Insurance more flexible and generous. In addition, one-time enhancements to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, Canada Child Benefit, and Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement were provided, along with one-time payments to persons with disabilities.

Ontario pilot project

In April 2017, the Ontario Government launched a 3-year basic income pilot project. The 4,000 participants were low-income people aged 18 to 64 in selected communities. Payments were based on 75% of Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Measure (LIM). A single individual received $16,989 annually, less 50% of earned income, while couples received $24,027 less 50% of any combined earned income. People with disabilities received an additional $500 per month. Participants were also eligible to receive certain benefits including the CCB.

The Ontario Basic Income pilot tested a potential new approach to income support that would replace social assistance, and possibly other programming, if it were fully implemented.

The Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services announced in July 2018 that the basic income pilot would be cancelled. Payments to participants continued only until March 2019.

On March 5, 2019, Basic Income Canada Network reported on a non-random survey of 424 participants in the Ontario pilot. Key findings include:

• 34% of participants found that the basic income supported employment by enabling transportation, childcare, or the ability to start or expand a business
• 74% of respondents said they were able to make healthy food choices
• However, when the cancellation of the pilot was announced, 80% of respondents experienced previous problems returning, and 61% had to alter future plans

In March 2020, economist Wayne Lewchuk of McMaster University and colleagues released a separate report, based on surveys and interviews with 217 former pilot participants in the Hamilton area. Findings of the study include:

• For some participants, basic income was “transformational, fundamentally reshaping their living standards as well as their sense of self-worth and hope for a better future.”
• A majority of respondents who were employed before the pilot continued to work while receiving a basic income. Some moved to better paid jobs

Other provinces and territories

Ernie Hudson, P.E.I.’s Minister of Social Development and Housing, has asked the federal government “to consider additional partnership, such as funding support” for a BI pilot project. The P.E.I. government also plans a “secure income” pilot with means-tested benefits for individuals with severe barriers to entering the workforce (i.e., it is narrower in scope than a basic income proposal).

The province's Special Committee on Poverty in P.E.I., following public hearings, issued a report in November 2020. The committee recommended that the provincial government pursue a full basic income program and seek to begin negotiations with the federal government to support this goal; if sufficient federal support is not forthcoming, it recommended that the P.E.I. government pursue a basic income pilot instead. Minister Hudson has requested federal financial support for a basic income pilot.

Minister Hudson discussed the topic in meetings with you in March 2020 and January 2021. At that time, you affirmed the federal government’s willingness to share survey, administrative, and tax data that could support design and implementation of a pilot.

On March 2, 2021, P.E.I. Premier Dennis King raised the topic of a full scale BI with the Prime Minister. [One sentence has been redacted].

British Columbia's government examined basic income in the context of its poverty reduction efforts. In January 2021, an expert panel issued a report and a set of research papers. The panel recommended that B.C. not introduce a basic income, or pursue a pilot project. Instead, it proposed 65 recommendations to improve the province’s income and social support system. These recommendations include a targeted income support program for people with disabilities; changes to temporary income assistance to reduce the “welfare wall”; extended health benefits for all lower-income individuals; improved support for low-income renters; measures to support participation in the labour force; and improvements to benefit delivery platforms.

In November 2017, a committee established by the then-government of Quebec recommended establishing a guaranteed minimum income. In May 2018, that government introduced a targeted income support program for persons with a severely limited capacity for employment.

In November 2020, the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature passed a motion to establish an all-party committee to examine the concept of basic income.

Yukon and Nunavut are taking steps towards completing research studies on basic income.

Cost of a national basic income

In 2018, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) estimated the gross annual cost of a basic income modelled on Ontario’s pilot project and implemented across Canada: $76B for the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year. The PBO also calculated that $32B of existing federal support could be eliminated, leaving a net cost of $44B. As well, economist Evelyn Forget builds on the PBO’s estimate and calculates that if provincial income assistance expenditures could be reallocated and directed towards basic income expenses, the annual cost of a BI program could be cut to $23B. In any case, to offset costs, a basic income would almost certainly require modification or elimination of some programs and/or taxation changes.

On July 7, 2020, the PBO issued a separate report, which estimated the gross cost of a BI program for 6 months, starting in October 2020, at $47.5B if designed following the model of the Ontario pilot. The PBO also showed that lower phase-out rates, with more generous treatment of earned income to reduce disincentives to work, would lead to substantially higher gross costs (potentially as high as $98.1B for 6 months). The projected cost is affected by the high rates of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Basic Income Canada Network (BICN) report

On January 23, 2020, BICN issued a report advocating the introduction of a basic income in Canada. The report proposed 3 options featuring benefits of $22,000 per year for individuals ($31,113 for couples in 2 cases), either targeted to Canadians with low incomes or universal with a significant portion of costs recovered through the tax system.

BICN’s report explains that each of the options could be paid for mainly through changes to the tax system, along with modifications to or elimination of certain existing federal and PT programs.

UBI Works report

In December 2020, UBI Works, an organization that brings together businesspeople who advocate in favor of a basic income, released a report on the economic impacts of basic income in Canada. The report concluded that a basic income of $2000 per month for individuals (and a higher amount for couples) would dramatically reduce poverty, and contribute to increases in employment and the Gross Domestic Product.

Examples of basic income pilots and measures in other countries

Basic income pilots and experiments are in various stages in a number of jurisdictions including the Netherlands, Germany, and American municipalities such as Stockton, California and Hudson, New York.

In February 2019, the Government of Finland issued the preliminary evaluation of a 2-year pilot project with 2,000 unemployed participants receiving monthly payments of €560 (about $840 Canadian). The evaluation showed that these payments contributed to the health and happiness of the beneficiaries; however, there was no positive or negative impact on the likelihood of recipients participating in the labour force. The final evaluation, issued in May 2020, showed largely consistent results; recipients had slightly higher workforce participation than members of the control group.

Overall, other research and pilots, including a study in Manitoba in 1975 to 1978, indicate that a well-designed and appropriately funded basic income program would address poverty, avoid undue effects on work incentives, and promote health and well-being.

Since 1982, Alaska has paid a partial basic income for all residents, usually about $1000 to $2000 U.S. per year. A campaign is underway in Oregon to hold a referendum that would establish a similar partial basic income.

Spain has recently taken steps towards implementing a partial basic income for lower-income households, with benefits for eligible individuals of €462 (about $700 Canadian), and higher payments to households. Spanish authorities started to accept applications in June 2020.

Citations / Key quotes

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16. New eServiceCanada Channel serving Canadians during COVID-19

Issue

As pandemic responses shift, Service Canada will continue to adapt to the needs of Canadians, ensuring that everyone can access the service they need. The Service Canada Centre network has adapted its offices and how services are delivered to be consistent with the Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines and provincial / local public health direction. The introduction of eServiceCanada in March 2020 also enabled continued delivery of critical services while protecting the health and safety of clients and employees.

Key facts

• As soon as the Service Canada Centres (SCC) were closed last March, immediate steps were taken by the Department to reach all Canadians virtually through the creation of eServiceCanada, an online request service that offers clients a call back within 2 business days if they require assistance in applying for benefits
• Client reaction to eServiceCanada is excellent with over 2.78M Canadians accessing services via this new channel
• As of March 3, 2021, 308 SCC sites have reactivated resulting in over 96% of Canada's population within 100 km of an SCC

Response

• Protecting the health and safety of our employees and the clients we serve is our key priority
• In order to protect our employees and the clients, the Department has reconfigured its office space to ensure proper physical distancing. It has also installed new office fit-ups, including Plexiglas, hand sanitizer stations, and additional signage
• As of March 3, 2021, 308 SCC sites have reactivated
• Even as SCC sites have reopened, eServiceCanada continues as a cornerstone of customized service delivery, helping to minimize lineups at the SCCs and ensuring that as many clients as possible access our services

Background

• When Service Canada Centres (SCC) were temporarily closed to the public (March 27th, 2020), Service Canada redirected in-person services to an eService channel
• Service Canada began the gradual reopening of SCCs in July 2020 based on the implementation of new safety measures consistent with public health guidelines
• External communications focus on the promotion of e-services/e-COLS (Community Outreach and Liaison Service) as the best option for service, appointments for those who require in person support, and changes clients will experience in accessing that support
• Internal communications to employees were produced in alignment with the return to work guidelines established by the Public Service Commission and Public Health Advisory Committee in collaboration with ESDC
• Since the beginning of the pandemic, ESDC has hosted regular “COVID information sharing” sessions with the unions
• The return to in-person services was asymmetrical across the country, reflecting site, workforce and health and safety considerations particular to each community
• Factors that include public health, staffing levels and procurement may prevent a SCC from reopening or remaining open to the public, as we need to ensure that minimum standards are in place in all offices to protect our clients and our team members
• Service Canada closely monitors local conditions. Any changes to service can be taken on a site-by-site or regional basis based on operational considerations and local public health direction
• Throughout the development of the department’s communication, ESDC continues to pay close attention to the approaches of other departments with a large public-facing presence, and look forward to sharing best practices in the future

Citations / Key quotes

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17. Early Learning and Child Care

Issue

What are the next steps in implementing the Canada-wide early learning and child care system?

Key facts

• The Fall Economic Statement announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples. This system will provide accessible, affordable, inclusive and high-quality child care
• To help bring governments, experts and stakeholders together to collaborate in designing and implementing this new child care vision for Canada, the government is proposing to provide $20 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, with $4.3 million per year ongoing for a Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care
• The government is also proposing to invest $70 million over 5 years, starting in 2021-22, and $15 million ongoing to sustain the existing federal Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat, and to help build Indigenous governance capacity and support Indigenous participation in the development of a Canada-wide system
• In order to sustain the progress made in collaboration with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to date, the Government is proposing to make the early learning and child care funding announced in Budget 2017 permanent at 2027 to 2028 levels. This represents an investment of $870 million per year and ongoing, starting in 2028 to 2029. Of this amount, $210 million would support Indigenous early learning and child care programming
• The Government is proposing to provide $420 million in 2021 to 2022 for provinces and territories to support attraction and retention of early childhood educators. The Government will also engage provinces and territories on future sustained investments in support of an Early Childhood Educator Workforce Strategy – as a key enabling feature of Canada-wide child care system
• In addition, the Government is proposing to invest an additional $75 million in 2021 to 2022 to improve the quality and accessibility of Indigenous child care programs. This would enable providers to take steps to improve the retention of Indigenous early childhood educators and to offer more flexible and extended hours of care
• Moving forward, Budget 2021 will lay out the plan to provide affordable, accessible, inclusive and high-quality child care across the country. This will also include enhanced support for before- and after-school care for older children in order to provide all parents with the flexibility needed to balance work and family

Response

• The Government of Canada believes in supporting families to help their children get the best start in life. For Canadian families, high-quality, affordable child care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Government of Canada is moving forward with a plan to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care system in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples
• Recognizing the vital role child care plays in our social infrastructure and the impact that COVID-19 pandemic has had on parents, children and the economy, we are proposing to:
  • Make the early learning and child care funding announced in Budget 2017 permanent at 2027 to 2028 levels. This represents an investment of $870 million per year and ongoing, starting in 2028 to 2029. Of this amount, $210 million would support Indigenous early learning and child care
  • Provide $420M in 2021 to 2022 for provinces and territories to support attraction and retention of the child care workforce. We will also engage provinces and territories on future sustained investments in support of an Early Childhood Educator Workforce Strategy
  • Invest an additional $75 million in 2021 to 2022 to improve the quality and accessibility of Indigenous child care programs, which will also help improve the retention of Indigenous early childhood educators and to offer more flexible and extended hours of care
  • Invest 20 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, with $4.3 million per year ongoing for a Federal ELCC Secretariat to help bring governments, experts and stakeholders together to collaborate on a new child care vision for Canada
  • Provide $70 million over 5 years, and $15 million ongoing to sustain the existing federal Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat, and to help build Indigenous governance and participation in the development of a Canada-wide system
• The first step in a Canada-wide child care system will be to work with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners to implement the funding announced in the Fall Economic Statement
• The Government of Canada will also work to establish a Federal Secretariat on early learning and child care, which will bring governments and stakeholders together to collaborate in designing and implementing this new child care vision for Canada
• Budget 2021 will lay out the plan to provide affordable, accessible, inclusive and high-quality child care across Canada. This will also include enhanced support for before- and after-school care for older children in order to provide all parents with the flexibility needed to balance work and family

Background

The Government of Canada has committed $7.5 billion over 11 years to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country.

Since early learning child care programming is designed and delivered through the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada provides funding support to each province and territory through bilateral agreements that reflect their unique early learning and child care needs. Through these agreements, our Government has committed $1.6 billion over the past 4 years for ELCC programs.

The government has completed a one-year extension of the existing early learning and child care bilateral agreements with every province and territory, a federal investment of $400 million for 2020 to 2021. As part of these agreements, the government has provided additional flexibility to help in responding to the unique demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government also provided $625 million in emergency pandemic support to provinces and territories for the child care sector through the Safe Restart Agreements.

Since the first agreements were signed in 2017, a significant amount of work has been undertaken across the country. The target of 40,000 affordable child care spaces has been largely achieved and agreements have also increased access to training and professional development for the early childhood workforce.

The Indigenous Early earning and Child Care Framework, co-developed with Indigenous partners and jointly released on September 17, 2018 complements the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

The 2020 Fall Economic Statement announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system, in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples. Budget 2021 will lay out the plan to provide affordable, accessible, inclusive and high-quality child care across Canada. This will also include enhanced support for before- and after-school care for older children – in order to provide all parents with the flexibility needed to balance work and family.

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

18. Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care

Issue

Implementation of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.

Key facts

• In September 2018 the Government released the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, jointly with First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation leadership. In support of the Framework, the Government committed up to $1.7 billion over 10 years starting in 2018 to 2019
• Since 2018 to 2019, annual federal investments in Indigenous ELCC have almost doubled
• In addition, $120.7 million in emergency funding is being delivered to communities this year (2020 to 2021) to support the safe reopening of Indigenous ELCC programs and services and adherence to Covid-19 public health measures

Response

• Supporting culturally appropriate early learning and child care programs that take into account the cultures, languages, traditions, values and customs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities can be crucial in creating a foundation for a child’s cultural identity and sense of worth
• Now is the time to make long-term, sustained investments so that every Canadian family has access to affordable and high-quality early learning and child care, including Indigenous children
• As a first step, in the Fall Economic Statement, our government announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system in partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples, including:
• $70 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, and $15 million ongoing to sustain the existing federal Indigenous ELCC Secretariat, and to help build Indigenous governance capacity and support Indigenous participation in the development of a Canada-wide system
• $75 million in 2021 to 2022 to improve the quality and accessibility of Indigenous child care programs
• Making previous funding for early learning and child care permanent to sustain the progress made with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to date, including $210 million annually for Indigenous early learning and child care
• I am pleased to say that this new funding, in addition to this government’s investment of $1.7 billion over 10 years in Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, will help pave the way for a new Canada-wide ELCC system that provides a safe, healthy, and culturally –relevant environment for all First Nations, Inuit and Metis children
• Our Government also provided $120 million in emergency funding for 2020 to 2021 to support Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care during the pandemic

Background

The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, supported by the Ministers of Indigenous Services, Health, and Status of Women, led work to collaborate with Indigenous peoples to co-develop an Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Framework.

While engagement was taking place on the new Framework, Budget 2016 invested $129.4 million over 2 years to support 3 existing federal early learning and child care programs:

• Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve (AHSOR), administered by the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (previously Health Canada)
• Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC), administered by the Public Health Agency of Canada, and
• First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative (FNICCI), administered by Employment and Social Development Canada

Throughout 2017, the Government of Canada worked closely with Indigenous partners to undertake broad engagement on Indigenous ELCC - reaching over 3,000 participants through town halls, regional and national meetings, and online surveys.

On September 17, 2018 the Government of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council jointly released the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework aimed at strengthening early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families.

To ensure it stands the test of time, the Framework does not include program or funding details, but signals a commitment to ongoing collaboration to inform implementation in 2018 to 2019 and into the future. It sets a vison for happy and safe Indigenous children and families, strong cultural identity, and a comprehensive and coordinated system that is anchored in self-determination, centred on children and grounded in culture.

The Indigenous ELCC Framework is supportive and consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Call to Action #12, which directs federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments to work together to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Indigenous families.

The Government heard through engagement that the Head Start and First Nations and Inuit Child Care programs make a real difference in the lives of the children and families they serve. These programs will play an important role in continuing to strengthen ELCC going forward. New investments are over and above existing funding which already supports communities. As work advances towards making these programs more flexible and inclusive, any changes will be in close collaboration with Indigenous Partners over time.

In support of the Indigenous ELCC Framework, the Government of Canada is investing $1.7 billion over 10 years to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families starting in 2018 to 2019. This is part of the commitment of $7.5 billion over 11 years the Government has made to support and create more high-quality affordable child care across the country. This more than doubled federal investments in Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care programs through the FNICCI, AHSOR and AHSUNC programs.

Starting in 2018 to 2019, up to $1.02 billion will support ELCC for First Nations and will be managed in partnership with First Nations. Up to $111 million will support ELCC for Inuit and will be managed in partnership with Inuit. Up to $450 million will support ELCC for the Métis Nation and will be managed in partnership with the Métis Nation. In 2018 to 2019 nearly $100 million in new investments reached First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities. These investments have supported 460 First Nations communities, 73 Inuit communities and the launch of new Métis specific ELCC programs and services.

In addition to the 3 distinctions-based envelopes for ELCC services, partnerships, governance and transformative action:

• The Government is also enhancing existing “pan-Indigenous” ELCC programming by dedicating $34 million over 10 years, starting in 2018 to 2019, to existing AHSUNC sites (especially located in urban communities). AHSUNC is recognized as a strong program that makes a real difference in the lives of the children and families it serves
• $44 million is available to fund application-based, Indigenous-led Quality Improvement Projects to advance foundational elements of Indigenous ELCC
• Data and Innovation funding announced in Budget 2017, provides an opportunity for Indigenous organizations/recipients and participation in supporting improved ELCC Data or innovative projects

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework and its corresponding investments complement Provincial and Territorial programming and funding under the Multilateral ELCC Framework and creates opportunities for Indigenous communities to partner with Provinces and Territories where desired.

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative is a horizontal initiative across multiple federal departments. New flexible programming authorities enable Indigenous-led investments in a broad range of ELCC priorities for all Indigenous children and families to matter where they live in Canada. The Initiative is using a new partnership model to facilitate Indigenous-led decision making to advance national and regional priorities. Early results for 2018 to 2019 include: establishment of interim national partnership tables; development of regional and community allocations, which were supported by Indigenous leadership; and development of regional plans that identified short and medium term priorities.

COVID-19 Response

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 to 2021 the government announced $120 million in new federal investments to support the safe reopening of federally funded child care centres and Head Start programs and support the First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who benefit from culturally-relevant Indigenous ELCC programs and services. Of the $120 million in new federal investments in Indigenous ELCC:

• $71.01 million to First Nations
• $10.90 million to Inuit ELCC
• $29.88 million to the Métis Nation
• $8.21 million to the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) program

The new funding provided is to ensure the continued availability of Indigenous ELCC spaces and to offset increased costs to Indigenous ELCC centres associated with implementing COVID-19 public health measures (for example, enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols and lower child to staff ratios).

In addition, as communities respond to COVID-19, IELCC Transformation Initiative program authorities can support a number of measures related to emerging early learning and child care priorities. This includes:

• continuing to operate child care centres or offering home child care to essential workers in communities, where it is safe to do so
• offering respite care and other types of support to vulnerable families facing heightened pressures at this time, including pressures related to providing healthy meals or supporting children with special needs, and
• continuing to pay the wages of staff where child care centres or other IELCC programs have been temporarily closed

To further support Indigenous children and their families, a temporary addition of new eligible activities have been added to the program authorities. In effect from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, eligible spending will encompass any activity that provides assistance to Indigenous children and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This measure applies to unspent 2019 to 2020 IELCC funds, and unspent 2019 to 2020 funds from the First Nations and Inuit Child Care Initiative and Head Start on-Reserve program, that carried forward to 2020 to 2021.

Fall Economic Statement

The Fall Economic Statement announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system including the following support for Indigenous early learning and child care:

• $70 million over 5 years, starting in 2021 to 2022, and $15 million ongoing to sustain the existing federal Indigenous ELCC Secretariat, and to help build Indigenous governance capacity and support Indigenous participation in the development of a Canada-wide system
• $75 million in 2021 to 2022 to improve the quality and accessibility of Indigenous child care programs
• $210 million per year by making previous funding for early learning and child care permanent at 2027 to 2028 levels, beginning in 2028 to 2029, to sustain the progress made with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to date

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

19. Canada Child Benefit

Issue

The Canada Child Benefit and COVID-19 supplemental payments.

Key facts

• The Canada Child Benefit delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency is:
  • Simple—families receive a single payment every month
  • Tax-free—families will not have to pay back part of the amount received when they file their tax returns
  • Targeted to those who need it most— low- and middle-income families receive more benefits, and those with the highest incomes (generally over $150,000) receive lower benefits, and
  • Generous— on average, families benefitting from the CCB receive about $7,300 in CCB payments for the 2020 to 2021 benefit year
• The CCB helps almost 3.7 million families and about 6.5 million children, putting about $24 billion, tax free, in the hands of Canadian families each year. Close to 65% of families receiving the maximum CCB amounts are single-parent families, more than 90% of which are led by single mothers
• To ensure that the CCB continues to help Canadian families over the long term, since July 2018, the CCB has been indexed to keep pace with the cost of living
• Indexing the CCB provides an additional $5.6 billion in support to Canadian families over the 2018 to 2019 to 2022 to 2023 period. That means Canadian families will have more money to help keep up with rising costs for things like healthy food, sports programs and music lessons. With indexation, for the 2020 to 2021 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit increased to $6,765 per child under 6 years and to $5,708 per child aged 6 through 17. Families with less than $31,711 in adjusted family net income receive the maximum benefit. Both the maximum benefits and the income thresholds will continue to be indexed
• The Government provided a one-time enhancement to the CCB amounts for current recipients for the 2019 to 2020 benefit year of $300 per child, which was provided as part of the May 2020 payment. The overall increase for families receiving the CCB is approximately $550 on average
• In the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government proposed to provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families with young children through the pandemic. Pending the approval of Bill C-14 (Economic Statement Implementation Act) this support will automatically be delivered to families entitled to the CCB and will be deposited separately from the CCB
• This support would be delivered to families entitled to the CCB with net income at or below $120,000 as 4 tax-free payments of $300, with the first payment being made shortly after the enabling legislation is passed, and subsequent payments in the months of April, July, and October 2021 as outlined in the fall economic statement. Families entitled to the CCB with net income above $120,000 would receive a tax-free payment of $150 at each of these times, for a total benefit of $600
• The Children’s Special Allowance (CSA) is a tax-free monthly federal benefit paid in respect of children under the age of 18 who are in the care of federal, provincial/territorial or First Nations agencies and institutions. The CSA is equivalent to the maximum (unreduced) amount of the CCB, plus the Child Disability Benefit, where applicable. The one-time enhancement of $300 to the CCB also applied to the CSA – that is, the CSA was increased by $300 per child for the 2019 to 2020 benefit year, delivered as an increase to a CSA payment for a child for the month of May
• To ensure that all eligible families are able to access the CCB, and other federal benefits, Budget 2018 provided $17.3 million over 3 years, starting in 2018 to 2019, to expand outreach efforts to Indigenous communities, and to conduct pilot outreach activities for urban Indigenous communities

Response

• The Government introduced the Canada Child Benefit to provide increased support for low- to middle-income families with children. Because it is tax-free and based on income, it provides more support to those who need help the most
• The Canada Child Benefit is simple, generous, and targeted so that about 9 out of 10 families are better off than under the former suite of child benefits
• The Canada Child Benefit has been increasing the incomes of families with children since its inception in 2016. It has played a key role in reducing the number of children living in poverty, which has declined by 367,000 between 2015 and 2018
• To ensure that the CCB continues to help Canadian families over the long term, the CCB benefits are being indexed, since July 2018, to keep pace with the cost of living. Indexing the CCB will provide an additional $5.6 billion in support to Canadian families over the 2018 to 2019 to 2022 to 2023 period
• To provide further support for Canadian families facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government provided a one-time enhancement to the Canada Child Benefit payment amounts of $300 per child for families already receiving the Benefit, as part of the May 2020 payment
• In the Fall Economic Statement, the Government proposed to provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit to help families with young children through the pandemic. The first payment will be made shortly after the enabling legislation is passed, and subsequent payments will be made in the months of April, July, and October 2021
• To ensure consistent treatment for children under the care of a child protection agency, the Government also proposes to provide equivalent quarterly amounts of $300 for each child under the age of 6 in respect of whom a Children’s Special Allowance is paid

Background

The CCB replaced 3 different previous benefits—the Canada Child Tax Benefit including the National Child Benefit Supplement, and the Universal Child Care Benefit—with 1 simplified, fair and tax-free monthly child benefit.

To ensure that the CCB continues to help Canadian families over the long term, the Government began indexing the CCB, starting in July 2018, to keep pace with the cost of living.

A foster parent may not be considered primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of a child if the child is legally, physically, or financially maintained by a child welfare agency. In those cases, a children’s special allowance is paid to the agency and the CCB is not available to the foster parent.

The Children's Special Allowances (CSA) program provides payments to federal and provincial agencies and institutions (such as children's aid societies) that care for children. The monthly amount payable for each child is equal to the maximum amount of the CCB. For eligible children, the CSA payment may also include the Child Disability Benefit. An agency can request that CSA payments be made directly to a foster parent of the child.

To support children and youth that are in the care of, and maintained by, a federal, provincial/territorial or First Nations agency/institution that cares for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has raised the amount of the CSA by $300 per child for the 2019 to 2020 benefit year, delivered in May 2020. This increase is in line with the increase of the CCB.

The Department of Finance is the policy lead on the Canada Child Benefit, and the Canada Revenue Agency administers the benefit. ESDC contributes to ongoing policy development by working collaboratively with them and with provincial and territorial governments to help ensure that the Canada Child Benefit continues to result in strengthened systems of support for all low- to middle-income families with children across Canada.

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

20. COVID supports for parents

Issue

What is the Government doing to support parents and Early Learning and Child Care during the COVID-19 crisis?

Key facts

• The federal government is investing $7.5 billion over 11 years, starting in 2017 to 202018, to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country, particularly for families more in need. Our current target of creating up to 40,000 affordable child care spaces had been largely achieved before the pandemic started in Canada
• Recognizing the urgency in providing further support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada provided $625 million to Provinces and Territories through the Safe Restart Agreements for the child care sector, and also invested $400 million in the extension of the Early Learning and Child Care bilateral agreements. This represents a total of almost $1.2 billion of federal funding to support early learning and child care in 2020 to 2021
• We continue to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and the Metis Nation to provide $278 million in 2020 to 2021 to advance Indigenous-led early learning and child care priorities
• In addition, the Government is also providing $2 billion in support for provinces and territories through the Safe Return to Class Fund that will provide the complementary funding they need, as they work alongside local school boards to ensure the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year
• Moving forward, the Government of Canada will make a significant, long-term, sustained investment to create a Canada-wide early learning and childcare system. The Government of Canada will build on previous investments, learn from the model that already exists in Quebec, and will continue to work with all provinces and territories to ensure that high-quality care is accessible to all
• The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) has also played a key role in reducing the number of children living in poverty, which has declined by 367,000 between 2015 and 2018. To provide further support for Canadian families facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government provided a one-time enhancement of $300 per child for families currently receiving the CCB as part of the May 2020 payment. The overall increase for families receiving the child benefit was approximately $550 on average
• In the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government proposed to provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families with young children through the pandemic

Response

• Recognizing the urgency in providing further support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has provided:
  • $625 million to Provinces and Territories emergency pandemic support for the child care sector through the Safe Restart Agreements
  • $400 million in the extension of the Early Learning and Child Care bilateral agreements
  • $2 billion in support for provinces and territories through the Safe Return to Class Fund to ensure the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year
• Moving forward, Budget 2021 will lay out the plan to provide affordable, accessible, inclusive and high-quality child care across the country
• In addition, the Government has taken direct action in support of families
• In May 2020, we implemented a one-time increase to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Families currently eligible for the CCB received an extra $300 per child as part of their May 2020 payment. This increase is expected to benefit 3.5 million families and nearly 6.5 million children, including an estimated 566,000 children living in poverty as of 2018. In the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, we proposed to provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families with young children through the pandemic

Background

Early Learning and Child Care

The Government of Canada committed $7.5 billion over 11 years to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country. Since the first agreements were signed in 2017, a significant amount of work has been undertaken across the country. The target of 40,000 affordable child care spaces has been largely achieved. The Indigenous Early earning and Child Care Framework, co-developed with Indigenous partners and jointly released on September 17, 2018 complements the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Federal COVID-19 measures relevant to the ELCC sector

The Canada Revenue Agency is allowing private businesses, including ELCC operators, to defer the payment of income tax amounts. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during the deferment period.

The Government is investing $650 million to build upon the work already being done through the $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund, and the additional $75 million provided for communities and organizations working with Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and off-reserve.

A new $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund was created to help community organizations adapt their frontline services for vulnerable Canadians to the challenges of COVID-19. The Fund will help community organizations adjust their services in the face of COVID-19, such as by training volunteers on health and safety so they can continue contributing to the pandemic response, replacing in-person one-on-one contact with contact through phone calls, and widening the reach of help lines that give information and link people to the services they need.

Canada Child Benefit

The Government introduced the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to provide increased support for low- to middle-income families with children. Because it is tax-free and based on income, it provides more support to those who need help the most.

To ensure that all eligible families are able to access the CCB and other federal benefits, Budget 2018 provided $17.3 million over 3 years, starting in 2018 to 2019, to expand outreach efforts to Indigenous communities, and to conduct pilot outreach activities for urban Indigenous communities.

The CCB has been increasing the incomes of families with children since its inception in 2016. It has played a key role in reducing the number of children living in poverty, which has declined by 367,000 between 2015 and 2018.

To ensure that the CCB continues to help Canadian families over the long term, since July 2018, CCB benefits are indexed each year to keep pace with the cost of living. Indexing the CCB will provide an additional $5.6 billion in support to Canadian families over the 2018 to 2019 to 2022 to 2023 period.

Pending the approval of Bill C-14 (Economic Statement Implementation Act) temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of 6 will automatically be delivered to families entitled to the CCB and will be deposited separately from the CCB. This support would be delivered to families entitled to the CCB with net income at or below $120,000 as 4 tax-free payments of $300, with the first payment being made shortly after the enabling legislation is passed, and subsequent payments in the months of April, July, and October 2021 as outlined in the fall economic statement. Families entitled to the CCB with net income above $120,000 would receive a tax-free payment of $150 at each of these times, for a total benefit of $600.

Disability Tax Credit

In June 2020, the Government announced additional support to help families with children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families with children under the age of 18 who are Disability Tax Credit certificate holders received a one-time payment of $600 for each eligible child. The special payment was made to the individual who is considered primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child for the purposes of the Canada Child Benefit. In cases of shared custody, each parent received $300.

Citations / Key quotes

N/A

21. Reaching Home – Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to address homelessness?

Key facts

• As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.2 billion over 10 years to tackle homelessness, and support a broader NHS objective of reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by 2027 to 2028. On April 1, 2019, the Government of Canada launched Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. Base Reaching Home investments will reach $237 million annually starting in 2021 to 2022, up from $119.3 million in 2015 to 2016
• Individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness are at heightened risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, increased need for transience and reduced opportunities to self-isolate
• As part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government announced a total of $394.2 million in additional funding for Reaching Home to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis by supporting measures such as temporary accommodations and isolation centres to reduce shelter overcrowding. This funding was secured under s. 2(1) of the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act
• On September 23, 2020, the Speech from the Throne committed to building on the work of the National Housing Strategy by focusing on “entirely eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada.”
• On November 30, 2020, the Fall Economic Statement announced additional funding of $299.4 million in 2021 to 2022 through Reaching Home to enable physical distancing, cleaning and other emergency health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in shelters. Funding will also help prevent at-risk Canadians from becoming homeless by supporting targeted interventions that enable people to stay housed

Response

• One of the most important roles of our government during this global pandemic is to support Canadians experiencing or at-risk of homelessness
• Since March 2020, our Government has announced a total of $693.6 million in additional funding for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy to support communities in addressing the needs of those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic
• This includes approximately $299.4 million announced in November 2020 in the Fall Economic Statement, $236.7 million announced in September 2020 and $157.5 million announced in March 2020 in response to support communities in enabling physical distancing and other health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in shelters. Funding will also support more sustainable responses to the pandemic and homelessness, including preventing at-risk Canadians from becoming homeless
• Given this important progress to date and recognizing the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, our Government is committed to doing more. Working with partners, we will continue to support communities to maintain their emergency measures, and move forward with a focus on entirely eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada

Background

Reaching Home is a community-based program that provides funding directly to specific communities through the Designated Communities, Indigenous Homelessness, Rural and Remote Homelessness and Territorial Homelessness streams. Financial support is provided to 64 Designated Communities (urban centres), the 3 territorial capitals, 30 Indigenous communities and rural and remote communities across Canada to support their efforts in preventing and reducing homelessness. It also makes funding available to Indigenous partners to support distinctions-based approaches to homelessness services.

Outside of Quebec, Reaching Home funding is delivered under a Community Entity model, under which 1 organization (a municipality or non-profit) is responsible for identifying and managing projects based on locally identified needs and priorities.

In Quebec, the Designated Communities stream and the Rural and Remote Homelessness stream are governed by Canada-Quebec Agreements that reflect the jurisdictions and priorities of both governments. The Indigenous Homelessness stream in the province is administered by Service Canada throughout the province. This stream is not under a Canada-Quebec Agreement.

Individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness are at heightened risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, increased transience, and reduced opportunities to self-isolate. This higher risk impacts not only those individuals, but also those serving them, and the broader community at large. The COVID-19 outbreak has placed significant pressures on an already-stretched homeless-serving sector, which has been forced to overhaul service delivery to reduce the risk of potential outbreaks.

Utilizing the Reaching Home delivery network, the Government of Canada acted quickly to provide support to communities as the outbreak began. In March 2020, $15 million in Departmental lapses was reallocated through Reaching Home to provide immediate support to the 7 communities with the largest shelter capacity: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Peel Region. Building on this immediate support, on March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced an additional $157.5 million for Reaching Home to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. On September 21, 2020, the Government announced an additional $236.7 million in program funding to support communities in maintaining emergency measures and to enhance their capacity for more sustainable responses to the pandemic and homelessness. Emergency funding was secured under s. 2(1) of the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.

With the help of emergency funding for the homelessness sector, communities have taken urgent action to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among those experiencing homelessness including efforts to reduce overcrowding in shelters, establish isolation spaces and place individuals in hotels/motels. These efforts have been effective. Based on ongoing information received from Reaching Home communities, available data on COVID-19 and media reports, it appears that there were no large-scale outbreaks amongst those experiencing homelessness. That said, challenges have occurred in shelter system with the second wave, particularly in larger communities such as Toronto and Montreal. Until a sufficient proportion of the Canadian population is vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection, people experiencing homelessness remain at higher risk to contract and spread the virus.

In November 2020, the Government announced through the Fall Economic Statement an additional $299.4 million through Reaching Home in 2021 to 2022. In addition to extending emergency measures, this investment will support communities in shifting focus towards housing stability, including ensuring those who have been temporarily housed transition to more stable housing, and providing more targeted support to individuals at risk of losing housing. Communities have begun to prepare for a potential third wave of COVID-19, and the need for service delivery adaptations will continue.

Citations / Key quotes

“A critically important factor in the homeless sector’s ability to protect people was the responsiveness of the Government of Canada, and specifically, Employment and Social Development Canada and the Reaching Home program. Minister Hussen, Parliamentary Secretary Vaughan and their officials should be specifically recognized and applauded. They were able to get urgently needed, flexible funding out to communities rapidly, which has been essential in helping communities prepare and secure everything from personal protective equipment and staffing to hotel rooms for isolation, quarantine and social distancing.”

Tim Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, June 8, 2020

“Regarding the Government's commitment to entirely eliminating chronic homelessness: "This is an ambitious yet affordable and achievable goal that will save lives, create jobs, reduce costs, and protect our most vulnerable neighbours. This commitment, with the right targeted investments will set Canada on the path of ending all homelessness.”

Tim Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, September 23, 2020

22. Social Innovation and Social Finance Fund

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to support social innovation and social finance in Canada?

Key facts

• Social innovation is about developing new solutions to social or economic challenges. It can improve people’s quality of life through collaborating with new partners, testing creative ideas and measuring their impact. It often involves collaboration across different orders of government, charities, the not-for-profit and private sectors to act on a common social issue. It is also a lever to advance a meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
• Social finance is a tool that seeks to mobilize private capital for the public good. It creates opportunities for investors to finance projects that benefit society and for community organizations to access new sources of funds
• In June 2017, the Government of Canada appointed a diverse group of 17 individuals to form the Social Innovation and Social Finance Co-Creation Steering Group that would guide the development of a Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy for Canada. The Steering Group engaged with hundreds of Canadian individuals and organizations, and delivered its final report in August 2018, which included 12 recommendations for growing social innovation and social finance in Canada
• In the 2018 Fall Economic Statement and in Budget 2019, the Government of Canada committed to establish the foundational elements of Canada’s first-ever Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, including a $50 million Investment Readiness Program, a $755 million Social Finance Fund, and a Social Innovation Advisory Council to support the implementation of the Strategy. The Investment Readiness Program was launched in 2019 over a 2-year period. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the launch of the Social Finance Fund and the Social Innovation Advisory Council

Response

• The Government of Canada recognizes the important role that social purpose organizations -- non-profits, charities, co-operatives, and mission-driven for-profit businesses -- play in addressing complex social and environmental issues, such as access to affordable housing and youth unemployment. While great strides have been made in some areas, many of these complex social problems persist despite the best efforts of communities and governments across Canada. Many of these problems are also being exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Social purpose organizations need greater access to funding and capital opportunities to develop, test, adopt and grow innovative solutions to social and environmental problems. The Government of Canada is implementing the foundational elements of a Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, which will build the capacity of social purpose organizations to participate in the social finance market and to contribute to an inclusive recovery. These elements include:
• The Investment Readiness Program, which is providing up $50 million in grants and contributions funding to social purpose organizations over 2 years until March 2021 to help them access training, expert advice, tools and resources to get them ready to access social financing. To date, the Investment Readiness Program has supported over 660 Social Purpose Organizations enabling them to develop the organizational skills and approaches required to access social finance opportunities. Over 80% of organizations receiving funding have indicated that they serve at least 1 equity deserving group
• A proposed $755 million Social Finance Fund to be launched in 2021 that will provide affordable, repayable financing to social purpose organizations that may not be able to access this kind of financing through traditional means
• The establishment of a Social Innovation Advisory Council that will provide strategic advice and subject matter expertise to support the implementation of the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy
• The innovative work of social purpose organizations is more important than ever. These organizations are providing vital services to communities in this time of need – everything from job placements for unemployed Canadians to affordable food options for low-income families – but they are struggling themselves
• The Government continues to work towards the launch of the Social Finance Fund to support social purpose organizations and make sure they are strong partners in the recovery. The Government is committed to addressing the remaining recommendations of the Co-Creation Steering Group and is gathering lessons learned and listening to stakeholders as we explore the opportunity to extend and expand the Investment Readiness Program, which is set to expire in March 2021

Background

In June 2017, the Government appointed a Co-Creation Steering Group to inform the development of and make recommendations on a Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy for Canada. Over the course of a year, the Co-Creation Steering Group engaged with hundreds of Canadian individuals and organizations at more than 50 consultation and engagement sessions. These sessions included community organizations, non-profit organizations, charities, foundations, co-operatives and mutuals, social enterprises, unions, umbrella groups, individual social innovators, and members of the general public.

Targeted engagement was undertaken with groups including Indigenous leadership and communities, youth, organizations serving women, and official language minority communities.

In August 2018, the final report of the Steering Group was released, and included 12 recommendations:

1. Anchor commitment and long-term policy action toward social innovation and social finance in Canada through legislation
2. Establish and fund a multi-sectoral Social Innovation Council to advise the federal government
3. Create a permanent Office for Social Innovation
4. Improve social purpose organizations’ access to federal innovation, business development and skills training programs
5. Establish a multi-departmental Social Innovation Ecosystem Program
6. Launch a Social Finance Fund
7. Ensure federal funding practices support and enable social innovation
8. Incorporate social procurement guidelines, tools and training opportunities into the Government’s focus on a cohesive sustainable procurement plan
9. Address the legal and regulatory issues impeding charities and non-profits from engaging in social innovation, social finance, and social enterprise
10. Initiate a series of controlled regulatory experiments, or “sandboxes,” to explore and experiment with new regulatory models
11. Establish a Social Innovation Evidence Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative
12. Coordinate a national social innovation and social finance awareness campaign

In the 2018 Fall Economic Statement (FES), the Government proposed to make available up to $755 million on a cash basis over the next 10 years, starting in 2020 to 2021, to establish a Social Finance Fund that would help charitable, non-profit and other social purpose organizations access new financing, and to help connect them with private investors looking to invest in projects that will drive positive social change.

Additionally, the Government proposed to invest $50 million over 2 years in an Investment and Readiness (IR) stream, for social purpose organizations to improve their ability to successfully participate in the social finance market.

Budget 2019 announced additional details on the Social Finance Fund:

• Funding will be managed through professional investment managers with expertise in social impact reporting and a proven ability to promote inclusive growth and diversity in the social finance market, to be selected through a competitive selection process
• The fund manager(s) will invest in existing or emerging social finance intermediary organizations that have leveraged private or philanthropic capital for co-investment
• The fund manager(s) will be required to leverage a minimum of 2 dollars of non-government capital for every dollar of federal investment, with the exception of investments for Indigenous-led or Indigenous-owned funds

Additionally, under the Social Finance Fund:

• A minimum of $100 million will be allocated towards projects that support greater gender equality—leveraging existing philanthropic and private sector funds towards this purpose in order to help them reduce the social and economic barriers faced by diverse groups of Canadians of all genders, and
• A $50 million investment will be made in the newly proposed Indigenous Growth Fund

On June 12, 2019, the Government announced 2 foundational steps that support its commitment to implementing Canada’s Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy: the new Investment Readiness Program (formerly called the Investment and Readiness Stream), and a call for applications for a Social Innovation Advisory Council.

The Investment Readiness Program ($50M over 2 years starting in 2019 to 2020) is providing social purpose organizations with funding and supports required to build their capacity, participate in the social finance market (i.e. secure a repayable investment), and acquire technical, legal or business skills required to improve their organizational preparedness for revenue generation and investment opportunities. Funding agreements are currently in place with 24 organizations who are working to implement the program.

The Social Innovation Advisory Council, in turn, will provide technical and sectoral expertise to inform the early implementation and further development of a federal Social Innovation and Social Finance strategy. The Council will also provide an important perspective from within the stakeholder community, as well as monitor progress and emerging issues in relation to the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy. A call for applications has been completed, and applications are being assessed for Ministerial decision on the composition of the Council.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the planned 2020 launch of the Social Finance Fund and the establishment of the Social Innovation Advisory Council. Since the onset of the recession, the needs of social purpose organizations have grown more urgent, and social finance market conditions have changed. COVID-19 has hurt the financial position of many of these organizations, while the demand for their services has grown. A number of stakeholder groups have submitted proposals to accelerate the deployment of the Social Finance Fund to support near-term economic and social recovery, and are also calling to renew the Investment Readiness Program. The Government continues to examine these proposals and to consider various options for launching the Social Finance Fund in the current public health and economic context.

Examples of Social Enterprises

Based in Nunavut, the Kitikmeot Heritage Society (KHS) is 1 of the territory’s longest-established heritage organizations. It serves the Inuinnait, a distinct regional group of Inuit, through the preservation of culture, language and history. Kaapittiaq, the “first Inuit coffee”, is a business operated by KHS’s social enterprise program. 75% of Kaapittiaq’s annual revenue goes towards building KHS’ capacity, while creating decent work and an innovative, Inuit-led industry in Nunavut. Kaapittiaq received $100,000 in IRP funding to go towards creating the assets needed to show social finance investors that Kaapittiaq can become profitable, and provide returns on investment in an agreed-upon timeframe. Even during the pandemic they have built an online store, opened social media accounts, created print and web advertising, and move the company into an order-fulfillment process. They now have a warehouse, and orders can be made and filled online.

Akoma Holdings is an African Nova Scotian land owner of 315 acres with plans to develop the property that includes affordable housing for African Nova Scotians, a seniors complex, a new residential facility for children in care, residential facility and cemetery, and more. As a social enterprise, Akoma serves the African Nova Scotian community in Dartmouth and surrounding areas, as well as other cultures and groups. Their space is rented out for weddings, baby showers and more, with clients ranging from church groups to the YMCA. Through redevelopment, Akoma will become financially sustainable, driving economic growth in the local area, and improving the community’s wellbeing. While current rentals bring in some revenue, financing is needed to complete construction. The majority of the $100,000 Akoma has received through the IRP will go towards creating business plans, financial modelling, viability studies and environmental assessments. These are all costly but vital resources that will bolster the board’s pitch to potential financial potential backers, so Akoma can finalize construction and start generating more revenue.

Mother Earth Recycling (MER) is an Indigenous for-profit social enterprise that delivers a variety of recycling services in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its mission is to offer jobs and training opportunities to community members who face multiple barriers to employment. The act of recycling has cultural significance for Indigenous communities. Embedded within traditional Indigenous worldviews is the concept of collective responsibility to respect and maintain the natural environment, and use only what is needed for sustenance (Seven Generations Principle). While they work with modern technologies, their commitment to environmental sustainability will allow Indigenous employees to reconnect with an integral part of their culture. MER will use their IRP funding to diversify and expand their recycling and manufacturing operations, which will create jobs for individuals in the Indigenous community. IRP funding will allow MER to develop and implement high-level viability assessments and detailed business cases and marketing studies for assessing the feasibility and expected financial, social, and environmental impacts of diversifying recycling operations including new lines of recycling and secondary manufacturing of commodities.

Citations / Key quotes

“The Chantier de l’économie sociale supports the economic statement tabled today by Canada’s Minister of Finance Bill Morneau. Specifically, the Chantier is pleased with both the announcement of concrete measures and the willingness to pursue efforts to promote a global social innovation and social finance strategy. … The focus on women, in particular women entrepreneurs and those wishing to be, is also welcome. On that point, it is worth remembering that collective entrepreneurship is a route favoured by many women, and it is therefore important to ensure that social economy businesses can benefit from all of these measures.”

Chantier de l’économie sociale – news release, November 21, 2018

“The creation of a Social Finance Fund is an important first step towards a social innovation and social finance strategy for Canada that will accelerate innovative solutions to our most complex social challenges. We welcome the government’s commitment to strengthening social investment and readiness.”

Michael Toye, CCEDNet Executive Director – November 22, 2018

“We are thrilled to be coming to the table in a unique partnership with government and other actors in the sector to work differently and creatively. The Investment Readiness Program will help a wide range of organizations to seed and grow their social enterprises and be better positioned to flourish as the federal government’s social finance strategy continues to roll out. This will help grow impact investment momentum on the part of community foundations and other sectors.”

Andrew Chunilall, Community Foundations of Canada CEO – news release, June 12, 2019

“The last few months have been a very challenging time for Canadians as well as the social purpose organizations that support them. I am proud of the Investment Readiness Program and its contribution to the recovery of these essential organizations, as well as its role in their growth. The goal is not only to have them survive, but to thrive so that they can continue to have positive impacts in their communities.”

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – Press Release Regarding the Community Foundations of Canada Announcement of Funding Recipients, July 22, 2020

23. Emergency Community Support Fund

Issue

An investment of $350 million to help community organizations serve vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis was announced in April 2020.

Key facts

• Canadians across the country are continuing to face challenges during this difficult time, particularly those who are most vulnerable to the health, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19. For many Canadians who were already struggling, it is even harder now, and they are turning more and more to charities and non-profit organizations for help.
• Canadian charities and non-profit organizations are on the frontlines. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for their services is now greater than ever before and they are doing more with fewer donations and fewer volunteers.
• On April 21, 2020, as part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government announced $350 million for an Emergency Community Support Fund to help community organizations adapt frontline services for vulnerable Canadians during the pandemic.

Response

• COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on those most vulnerable, creating a greater need for community-based organizations
• In April 2020, the Prime Minister announced an investment of $350 million for the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need
• The Government worked with 3 national intermediaries: the United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada. These intermediaries distributed funds through their regional and local partners to community organizations who support a wide range of vulnerable populations including seniors, children and youth at risk, persons with disabilities, women, racialized communities such as Black Canadians and members of the LGBTQ2 community
• Community-based organizations from across the country applied for funding to support a variety of activities, such as:
  • Increasing volunteer-based home deliveries or transportation services (for example delivery of medications or accompanying/ driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments)
  • Scaling up help lines that provide information and support (for example increasing access to the 211 service of the United Way)
  • Providing training, supplies and other supports required so that volunteers can continue to make their invaluable contribution to the COVID-19 response
  • Replacing in-person one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through means like phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the internet
• The Emergency Community Support Fund complements other measures to support charitable and non-profit organizations in addressing COVID-19-related issues for vulnerable Canadians

Background

Community organizations are on the frontlines, serving critical community needs both in times of stability and crisis. Many vulnerable Canadians, such as seniors, children and youth at risk, persons with disabilities, women, racialized communities such as Black Canadians and members of the LGBTQ2 community rely on these organizations, and that reliance often rises in times of hardship. They provide meals to isolated seniors, services to children and youth at risk, shelter for the homeless, support for those fleeing domestic abuse, addiction counselling, settlement services for recent immigrants, and countless other contributions.

In April 2020, the Prime Minister announced a $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund to help charities and non-profit organizations adapt frontline services for vulnerable Canadians during COVID-19. The Fund provided funding to national intermediaries with networks across the country: United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada. These partners disbursed funds to local community-based organizations working with vulnerable populations.

The Emergency Community Support Fund has been delivered through the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) of ESDC. SDPP is a flexible and responsive program focused on supporting children, families and other vulnerable communities. ESDC has pioneered innovations in federal funding to charities and non-profits, and has found the intermediary model to be an efficient mechanism that can rapidly distribute funds in a manner that is open, fair transparent and responsive to community needs.

To support a wide range of community organizations serving vulnerable populations, the 3 intermediaries have:

• Flowed funding quickly to local organizations that need it the most
• Conducted fair and transparent assessment processes
• Minimized duplication through national and local coordination, and
• Been accountable for the use of the funds and its results

Between May and October, community-based organizations from across the country applied for funding through the Emergency Community Support Fund to address pressing social inclusion and well-being needs caused by COVID-19. To date, all funding has been allocated and over 11,500 projects have been supported in diverse communities across the country. These results include:

• Winnipeg: $7.6M in funding for 245 projects in Winnipeg
• Vancouver: $15.2M in funding for 452 projects in Metro Vancouver, and
• Quebec: $64.2M in funding for 2,547 projects in the province of Quebec

In addition, ESDC worked with the Canadian Red Cross to train and equip the volunteers of community organizations with personal protective equipment and training to safely provide services, and the United Way to enhance the social services helpline 211.

Citations / Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders

"Canadian charities and not for profits are always there to help you, in your time of need. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will be there for them so they can continue to be there for Canadians.”

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (News Release, May 16, 2020)

24. Service Canada Call Centre wait times

Issue

Service Canada is working to improve access and reduce wait times for Canadians through continued investments in its call centre operations.

Key facts

• Through Budget 2016, the Government invested $73M over 2 years to increase from approximately 800 to 1100 agents to improve Employment Insurance (EI) Call Centre accessibility to reach an agent and to reduce call wait times. Through Budget 2018, the Government invested $127.7M to maintain this increased capacity for an additional 3 years
• In 2020 to 2021, on top of the final year of the Budget 2018 investment ($29.5M), the Government invested an additional $90.1M to increase EI Call Centre capacity to 3,000 agents, and an additional $157.7M in 2021 to 2022 to maintain the 3,000 agents and ensure that Canadians continue to have timely access to the benefits to which they are entitled
• From April 2020 to the end of February 2021, the number of agents has increased from 1,100 to 2,500 and the EI Call Centres are on track to reach 3,000 agents by the end of March
• During the first week of March 2021, EI Call Centre agents answered 130,310 calls, which is 41,094 (46.1%) more than the 89,216 calls answered during the same week last year. This increase is a direct result of the significant investments in EI Call Centres. As we continue to onboard new agents, Canadians can expect shorter wait times to speak to an agent and quicker access to the information they need on the benefits to which they are entitled
• Wait times have been cut by more than 50%, from an average 85 minutes of January 2021 to 35 minutes for the first week of March 2021

Response

• Service Canada has made significant investments both in its EI Call Centre technology and in the number of call centre agents to serve Canadians during this difficult period
• Service Canada has more than doubled the number of specialized EI call centre agents, from 1,100 to over 2,500, in advance of the expected unprecedented number of EI claims. As a result, wait times have been cut by more than 50%, from an average 85 minutes of January 2021 to 35 minutes for the first week of March 2021
• As hiring is ongoing through to the end of March, training of the remaining new agents will be complete by the end of June 2021, thereby preparing the department for anticipated annual increases in call volume linked to seasonal summer work
• This additional agent capacity will significantly reduce wait times while increasing the Call Centre capacity for Canadians to speak to an agent

Background

• Migration of the Employer Contact Centre (ECC) to the HCCS platform was completed on October 26, 2018; Pensions (CPP and OAS) call centres migrated on May 13, 2019; and EI call centres migrated on March 11, 2020
• Migration of call centres to the HCCS platform have allowed us to increase our queue capacity so all clients can get through and wait to speak to an agent, including our most vulnerable clients
• The Department has implemented the Hosted Contact Centre Solution (HCCS), a modern technology to deliver efficient and enhanced contact centre services to Canadians and support improved workload management
• Additionally, on June 13, 2020, Service Canada further enhanced the CPP and OAS Interactive Voice Response to provide clients with the ability to authenticate using their Social Insurance Number and Date of Birth as well as the ability to access application status and payment information. This provides a better experience for clients by enabling more self-serve functions and allowing agents to focus their time on responding to client requests that require their specific guidance and advice

25. Parliamentary Background and Analysis

Official title: Parliamentary background and analysis appearance by the Honourable Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) - Main estimates 2021 to 2022 and supplementary estimates (C) 2020 to 2021, Tuesday, March 16, 2021 | 2:30 – 3:30

1. Background

The Supplementary Estimates (C) and the Main Estimates 2021 to 2022 were tabled in the House of Commons in February 2021. You are invited to appear before HUMA on March 16, for 1 hour. The following senior officials from ESDC and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) will be supporting you, as required, during the meeting.

• Graham Flack, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development
• Lori MacDonald, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development and Chief Operating Officer for Service Canada
• Catherine Adam, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Service Policy Branch
• Cliff C. Groen, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada
• Janet Goulding, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch
• Benoit Long, Chief Transformation Officer, Service Canada
• Mark Perlman, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
• Evan Siddall, President and CEO, CMHC
• Lisa Williams, Chief Financial Officer, CMHC

Your colleague, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, will appear in the second hour on both the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates on March 16. The Minister of Seniors will appear later in March.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for Committee Members to discuss recent housing studies undertaken by HUMA; namely, the Study on Rapid Housing Initiative and the Study on Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing. As well, Members will look for additional details on the Government commitment regarding early learning and childcare announced in the Throne Speech. Last November, when you appeared before the Committee, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) focussed a number of their questions on CMHC issues; namely, the Rapid Housing Initiative, the rebranding of CMHC, the expansion of the first-time homebuyers program, and the national housing co-investment fund.

2. Committee Proceedings

You will be provided with 5 minutes for your opening remarks.

HUMA is composed of 12 MPs. Two new members have joined the Committee in recent weeks. They are Manitoba MP Raquel Dancho CPC, who is also the new Shadow Minister for Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, and Saskatchewan MP Corey Tochor (CPC), who is the new Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development. The Chair is Liberal MP Sean Casey and the 2 Vice-Chairs are CPC MP Raquel Dancho and Bloc Québécois (BQ) MP Louise Chabot. Ms. Chabot is the Employment Critic. Mr. Brad Vis is the Shadow Minister for Housing.

Other members are:

• Han Dong, Liberal (Lib)
• Rosemarie Falk (CPC)
• Leah Gazan (NDP)
• Wayne Long (Lib)
• Corey Tochor (CPC)
• Ryan Turnbull (Lib)
• Adam Vaughan (Lib)
• Brad Vis (CPC)
• Kate Young (Lib)

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses will be allocated as follows:

• The first round of questioning:
  • 6 minutes for the Conservative Party
  • 6 minutes for the Liberal Party
  • 6 minutes for the Bloc Quebecois
  • 6 minutes for the New Democratic Party
• For the second and subsequent rounds of questioning:
  • 5 minutes for the Conservative Party
  • 5 minutes for the Liberal Party
  • 2.5 minutes for the Bloc Quebecois
  • 2.5 minutes for the New Democratic Party
  • 5 minutes for the Conservative Party
  • 5 minutes for the Liberal Party

3. Parliamentary Analysis

In addition to issues specific to the Estimates documents, you might receive questions from opposition party members related to the following ESDC issues:

Service Canada Offices and Benefits Delivery Modernization

BQ MP Louise Chabot has demonstrated an interest in the resumption of in-person access at Service Canada Centres. Taking into consideration that the Estimates before HUMA include a request for $2.6 million in funding for the resumption of in-person access, Ms. Chabot will be looking for an update to her question on the total number of Service Canada Offices reopened to the public. The CPC could ask questions or request statistics related to Service Canada wait times and whether the organization has adjusted to historic levels of claims and recipients.

In recent weeks, HUMA started a Study on the Review of the Employment Insurance Program and heard from ESDC officials that Government of Canada's legacy systems that support the delivery of income support programs, such as EI, OAS and CPP, are among the oldest information technology (IT) systems in government. In recent years, the Auditor General of Canada also reported that chronic underinvestment in IT has put ESDC in a situation where the systems could fail and affect the ongoing delivery of critical programs and services to Canadians. MPs might inquire about the legacy systems and what is being done to modernize them and ensure they remain safe and efficient in the delivery of these benefits. The Supplementary Estimates (C) includes $11 million in funding for the Stabilization of IT in Support of Program Delivery and $6.7 million in funding for Benefits Delivery Modernization.

Speech from the Throne Commitment on Early Learning and Childcare

HUMA members may raise questions regarding the establishment of a Canada-wide childcare system announced in the Throne Speech. With the anticipation of a federal Budget, the NDP is likely to press on timelines for a Government plan to provide affordable and accessible childcare. During the pandemic, the NDP repeatedly raised concerns regarding the lack of childcare options available to parents forced to juggle work and care for their children at home; resulting, in some parenting having to quit their jobs. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh underscored that the solution to getting women back to work is affordable childcare. Moreover, NDP MP Leah Gazan may request additional information regarding a perceived decrease in funding to support the safe restart in Indigenous communities in Supplementary Estimates (C); specifically, the safe reopening of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care sector.

The First Report National Advisory Council on Poverty

The Government of Canada made commitment towards reducing poverty with the release of the first federal poverty reduction strategy in 2018 (Opportunity for All – Canada's First Poverty Reduction Strategy). The National Advisory Council on Poverty was established to provide you with independent advice to undertake consultations with the public and to publicly report on the progress in reducing poverty. The Council released its first report in February, in which they conclude that based on the latest data available from the 2018 Canadian Income Survey, some groups had disproportionately higher levels of poverty; including, unattached individuals, persons in sole-caregiver families, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities, children, as well as First Nations living on-reserve. The report does not take into consideration the impacts of COVID-19.

HUMA Study: Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing

On February 16, HUMA concluded a Study on Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing and heard from the Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux. Mr. Giroux prepared a report for his appearance entitled: “Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing”. He presented a number of findings; namely, that 18% of the Indigenous population in urban, rural and remote locations in Canada are in housing need. Based on the report, the PBO found that there is a $636-million gap on an annual basis between what these households pay for shelter, and the level deemed affordable by the CMHC. He also added that the federal government has allocated $179 million per year to address indigenous housing and homelessness programs in urban, rural and northern areas over the 10-year term of Canada’s national housing strategy. The PBO also considered federal transfers to the provinces and territories for housing and homelessness programs. These categories of support, when combined, amount to $838 million in federal support for indigenous housing and homelessness. Despite these amounts, the PBO determined that a gap remains.

The Committee later discussed incorporating these findings in the upcoming Committee Report. HUMA members might inquire further about these findings on March 16. In keeping with previous lines of inquiry, NPD MP Leah Gazan may raise the issue of the housing crisis in Winnipeg; whereas, the BQ may probe on issues related to youth affected by homelessness.

26. Committee membership and biographies

Official title: Committee membership and biographies: House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) committee profile, (February 2021)

Table of contents

• HUMA Membership
• Sean Casey (LPC)
• Wayne Long (LPC)
• Han Dong (LPC)
• Ryan Turnbull (LPC)
• Adam Vaughn (LPC)
• Kate Young (LPC)
• Rosemarie Falk (CPC)
• Raquel Dancho (CPC)
• Corey Tochor (CPC)
• Brad Vis (CPC)
• Leah Gazan (NDP)
• Louise Chabot (BQ)

Liberal Party of Canada

• Sean Casey (Chair), Prince Edward Island
• Han Dong, Ontario
• Wayne Long, New Brunswick
• Ryan Turnbull, Ontario
• Adam Vaughan, Ontario - PS for Families, Children and Social Development (Housing)
• Kate Young, Ontario - PS for Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario)

Conservative Party of Canada

• Raquel Dancho, Manitoba - Employment, Workforce D Development and Disability b Inclusion Critic
• Rosemarie Falk, Saskatchewan - Seniors Critic
• Corey Tochor, Saskatchewan - Families, Children and Social D Development Critic
• Brad Vis, British Columbia - Housing Critic

New Democratic Party of Canada

• Leah Gazan, Manitoba - Families, Children and Social D Development Critic

Bloc Québécois

• Louise Chabot (Vice-Chair), Québec - Employment, Workforce Deve Development and Labour Critic

Sean Casey, Liberal Party, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Brief biography

Sean was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland but grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Saint Francis Xavier University. He worked for the New Brunswick Telephone Company before attending Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 1988. While attending Dalhousie, he was on the Student Union Executive and served as President of the Law Students Association. Upon graduating, Sean served as a summer student at what was then Scales Jenkins and McQuaid (now Stewart McKelvey) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

He continued to work with the firm and was named a partner at 29 years of age. In 2003, Sean left the firm to take a leadership role in the family business, commonly known as Paderno. That was also the year he ran his first of four marathons. In 2008, Sean rejoined Stewart McKelvey where he served as Regional Managing Partner. In 2011, Sean was elected the Member of Parliament of Charlottetown. He was re-elected in 2015, and again most recently in 2019. In Parliament, Sean has served most recently as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. He has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

He is currently the Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, a member of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Chair of the Liberal Atlantic Caucus.

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John — Rothesay, New Brunswick

Brief biography

Wayne Long is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, has lived in the riding 44 years, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their two children, Khristian and Konnor.

Han Dong, Liberal Party, Don Valley North, Ontario

Brief biography

Raised and educated in Toronto, Han Dong, his sister, and his parents immigrated to Canada from Shanghai in 1990. Growing up working at his parent’s 24-hour coffee shop, Han learned the value of hard work, family, and community which ultimately lead him to public service.

In 2014, Han was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), gaining valuable legislative experience.

Han works with a Toronto based high-tech company dedicated to building safer communities with digital neighbourhood watch technology. He has also shown leadership in promoting Toronto's diversity, currently serving as the leader of the Chinatown Gateway Committee established by Mayor John Tory.

Han and his wife Sophie, are the proud parents of Emma and Matthew.

Ryan Turnbull, Liberal Party, Whitby, Ontario

Brief biography

Ryan Turnbull is a passionate change maker, experienced entrepreneur and social innovation that has devoted his life to advance ethical leadership, social responsibility, and build a more ethical economy and society. Ryan has raised his young family in the Durham Region for over five years and has deep roots in the Whitby community, where he recently moved.

Ryan has taken advanced leadership training and earned an MA in philosophy from Carleton University. Ryan has taught and developed curriculum at multiple post-secondary institutions around the world.

Over the last decade, Ryan has led the development of a successful social innovation consulting firm that has had a direct social impact on the organizations, communities and the people they serve, in the Durham Region and across Ontario. Ryan has worked with over 250 charitable organizations, has advised government at all levels and has led over 350 impactful projects and his work has had a direct and positive influence on the quality of life for all segments of the population including children, youth, seniors, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S, and many others. Ryan has also served on the board of directors for Food Secure Canada and the Ethics Practitioners’ Association of Canada.

Adam Vaughn, Liberal Party, Spadina—Fort York, Ontario

Brief biography

Adam Vaughan was first elected to the House of Commons for Trinity-Spadina on June 30, 2014. On October 19, 2015, Adam was re-elected in the new riding of Spadina-Fort York, and was re-elected for a second full term on October 21, 2019.

Adam was elected twice to Toronto City Council before voters sent him to Ottawa to represent urban issues in Parliament. As an activist and as a journalist, Adam has played a significant role in the social and economic growth of Toronto. Adam Vaughan brings a lifetime of experience to federal politics. On City Council he played a major role in reforming the planning process in the city. He led successful campaigns to rebuild and revitalize existing public housing stock while initiating new policies to create family housing, supportive housing and new co-op housing programs in Toronto.

Together with residents, he spearheaded the revitalization of the Alexandra Park community: a significant neighbourhood in Toronto that will see new affordable housing, new commercial space, a re-built community and more parkland added to the downtown. Adam Vaughan’s record in office demonstrates strong support for the arts and housing in Toronto.

While on council, he championed the expansion of OCAD University’s campus and led the campaign to save Theatre Passe Muraille. He also served on the Boards of the Toronto Arts Council, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Harbourfront Centre and Heritage Toronto. Before entering politics, Adam was a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, specializing in municipal affairs for both the CBC and Citytv. He covered all three levels of government and has written about urban issues too.

In the 41st Parliament, Adam was appointed the Liberal Critic for Housing and Urban Affairs and worked with Justin Trudeau, Liberals, and local governments across the country to re-establish a national housing policy as part of a new urban agenda for Canada.

On December 2, 2015, Adam was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. He served in this role until January 26, 2017, when he was appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs).

On February 1, 2017, Adam was appointed to chair an Advisory Committee on Homelessness composed of experts and stakeholders in the field of homelessness to support the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

He is currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development (Housing) and a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development, and Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Kate Young, Liberal Party, London West, Ontario

Brief biography

Kate Young was first elected Member of Parliament for London West in October 2015. She is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario). She has also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport for Science and Sport, and for Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility); and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport.

Prior to being elected, Kate had a lengthy career in journalism and public relations in both the private and public sector. Best known as the first female news anchor at CFPL-TV in London, Kate was also the Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations for the Thames Valley District School Board and Manager of Community Relations at TD Financial Group.

As a community organizer, Kate has volunteered much of her free time with organizations that directly impact London West, including the London Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors, the Fanshawe College Board of Directors, and the Museum London Board of Directors. In 2007, London City Press Club named Kate Newsmaker of the Year for her outstanding service to the London community.

Kate has a diploma in Journalism (Broadcast) from Fanshawe College and is the proud mother of two children. She is also a grandma to twin boys. Kate grew up in London West, attended Westminster Secondary School, and continues to live in the riding with her partner Brian.

Raquel Dancho, Conservative Party, Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Kildonan – St. Paul Manitoba

Brief biography

Raquel Dancho is the Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul – elected on October 21, 2019.

Ms. Dancho grew up in Beausejour, Manitoba, from 4 generations of Canadian farmers. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, she learned the importance of personal responsibility, resourcefulness and perseverance at a young age. She is the first in her family to attend university and the first to work in politics.

Ms. Dancho has 15 years of diverse work experience in both the public and private sector. She dedicated many hours of volunteer work with the elderly, children in Child and Family Services, and at her local church. She has also coached various sports in her hometown and been politically active since childhood.

Ms. Dancho graduated with a French-bilingual high-school diploma and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University, majoring in Political Science, and minoring in World Religions and Canadian Studies. While attending university, she worked in a French restaurant to pay her bills and better her French skills.

Following university, Ms. Dancho earned a competitive research internship at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy in Winnipeg. Shortly thereafter, she became a policy analyst in the Progressive Conservative Caucus for Manitoba’s Official Opposition.

Following the 2016 Manitoba Progressive Conservative election victory, she became the Executive Assistant to the Minister of Sustainable Development for the Manitoba Government. She was then promoted to serve as the Special Assistant to the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage for the Manitoba Government.

Corey Tochor, Conservative Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Saskatoon—University, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Corey Tochor is the Member of Parliament for Saskatoon University – elected on October 21, 2019.

Prior to entering politics, Mr. Tochor was a local Saskatoon entrepreneur who owned and operated Health Conveyance, a communications company that provides electronic messaging in health facilities across the province. He graduated with a commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan with a major in Finance. He had a successful career in sales, e-learning consulting and pharmaceuticals before starting his own business.

As an active volunteer in his local community, Mr. Tochor has served for many years on the executive of the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, including on the corporate board for Telemiracle 33, chair of fundraising projects and treasurer of the Kinsmen Activity Place House, a community center supporting Saskatoon’s core.

Mr. Tochor has a wealth of legislative experience and was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the 2011 provincial election and re-elected in 2016. His legislative responsibilities began early in his first term when he served as Deputy Chair of Committees. He then served as Deputy Whip and was later appointed Deputy House Leader by Premier Wall. Shortly after being re-elected, Mr. Tochor was elected Speaker of the Legislature.

Mr. Tochor was born and raised in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan. He currently resides in Saskatoon with his wife Danielle and their 2 young sons, Jacob and James.

Brad Vis, Conservative Party, Housing Critic, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, British Columbia

Brief biography

Born in Matsqui, British Columbia, Brad has deep roots in the Fraser Valley. The grandson of Dutch immigrants, he was raised on the values of hard work, sacrifice, integrity and determination.

Brad has spent the majority of his career working in government, politics and the agri-business sector. His professional background extends to the fields of communications, public relations and policy development.

Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University.

Elected in 2019, Brad is honoured to represent all residents of Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon and is thrilled to work hard on their behalf. His mission is to raise issues and work to accomplish the goals of the riding in Ottawa rather than work as Ottawa’s representative in the riding.

Under the leadership of the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Brad serves as the Shadow Minister for Housing and is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA).

Brad is happily married to Kathleen and the father of Declyn and Nicholas.

Leah Gazan, New Democratic Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba

Brief biography

Leah Gazan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre in October 2019. She is currently the NDP Critic for Children, Families, and Social Development, as well as the Deputy Critic for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Gazan is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament. She recently introduced a private member's bill, Bill C-232, The Climate Emergency Action Act, which recognizes the right to a healthy environment as a human right.

As an educator, advisor, and media contributor, Leah Gazan has been deeply engaged with issues and organizing in Winnipeg’s core for nearly three decades. Gazan has spent her life working for human rights on the local, national, and international stage. Her recent success includes organizing and traveling across the country to push Bill C-262, the Indigenous Human Rights Act.

Her contributions in Winnipeg have both shaped our understanding of our collective struggles and strengths, and helped move us towards justice. As president of the Social Planning Council between 2011- 2015, Gazan organized and pushed policy in support of an end to poverty, addressing violence against women and girls, finding solutions for housing insecurity and homelessness, ensuring fair wages, community-based actions addressing addictions, and proper supports for mental health.

Gazan was a prominent Winnipeg lead during Idle No More, articulating the movement to the Winnipeg public. Gazan also co-founded the #WeCare campaign aimed at building public will to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. Gazan is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota Nation, located in Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory.

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec

Brief biography

Louise Chabot, born in 1955 in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse, Quebec, is a Quebec trade unionist and politician. She was president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) from 2012 to 2018. This organization represents nearly 200,000 members, including 130,000 in the education and early childhood sector. She coordinated a major unionization project that resulted in the grouping of more than 15,000 family child care providers, a first in the Canadian union movement. On October 21, 2019, she was elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Thérèse-de-Blainville under the banner of the Bloc Québécois.

27. OAS Qs and As

Question 1: On statutory benefit decrease in OAS, is the lower monthly rate a function of inflation being lower than expected?

Response:

Yes. The actual rate of indexation from April 2020 to March 2021 for OAS benefits has been 0.3%.

Forecasted expenditures determined by the Department of Finance are based on forecasts from the Office of the Chief Actuary, the specific indexation rate was used by Finance for the Main Estimates was not shared with ESDC.

Question 2: For the decrease in the repayment amount, is repayment where people pass away but we aren’t notified of their death in a timely way and/or people later reporting income that make them ineligible?

Response:

Expenditures for the OAS pension in public accounts are already net of overpayments and underpayments due to deaths and other factors.

The OAS pension card refers to repayments under the Recovery Tax, which are projected to be lower, in line with lower OAS pension expenditures overall.

The OAS Recovery Tax is an additional tax imposed on high-income pensioners. For each dollar of net income that exceeds $79,845, individuals must repay 15 cents of their OAS pension. The pension is fully recovered at an income of $129,075.

Question 3: As per above, why is anticipated monthly GIS rate going up (when OAS is being adjusted in the other direction).

Response:

The income of GIS recipients was lower than forecasted. As a resulted in a increase to the average GIS benefits and an increase in the total GIS expenditures, despite the number of GIS recipients and the inflation rate being lower than forecasted.

Question 4: What are “allowance payments”? Why is this monthly rate doing down like OAS when GIS is going up?

Response:

The Allowances are paid to low-income individuals aged 60 to 64 who are either the spouse/partner of GIS recipients, or who are widows/widowers. Estimated Allowances payments decreased by $5.8 million in Supplementary C estimates, as the estimated average monthly benefit was lower than expected due to the lower than anticipated rate of inflation.