HUMA committee binder: Minister of Families, Children and Social Development - November 4, 2020

Homelessness/Reaching Home

The safety and well-being of Canadians is our number one priority.

This includes providing support to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

In the early days of the pandemic, we invested through the Reaching Home program.

In September, we announced additional investments to help communities maintain and expand their emergency response to COVID-19 and provide them with the flexibility to deliver permanent housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness, as well as prevent further inflows into homelessness through the upcoming winter.

It is our responsibility as a Government to ensure that communities are able to build affordable housing to meet the rising needs.

This is why we launched the new Rapid Housing Initiative, which will help create approximately 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units in cities across the country.

Measures from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

To relieve financial pressures on Canadian homeowners who may have lost income due to COVID-19, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in co-ordination with private mortgage insurers, implemented measures to allow homeowners to temporarily defer payments on insured mortgages.

Homeowners have the opportunity to benefit from a temporary/short term deferral or re-amortization of mortgage payments insured through CMHC.

Early Learning and Child Care and support for parents

This pandemic has reinforced the need for parents to be able to access safe and affordable child care.

This is why in July, we announced the Safe Restart Agreement to help provinces and territories address the needs of the child care sector stemming from the pandemic.

In addition to the bilateral agreements with provinces and territories stemming from the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework, the Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.2 billion to support child care in 2020 to 2021.

Let’s not forget about the closures of child care centres creating additional barriers to labour market participation for parents, especially mothers, and the harms to Canada’s economic recovery.

To address the evolving needs of parents during the pandemic, we modified the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) program.

Vulnerable populations

Charities and non-profit organizations had an increase in demand during this pandemic. Despite fewer donations and fewer volunteers, their essential work continued.

This is why the Government is investing through the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians.

CERB/EI and service delivery

At the outset of the pandemic, to help get Canadians through this incredibly challenging time, our first and primary measure was the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to support Canadians and their families.

The uptake was strong. Nearly 9 million people received much-needed income support to make ends meet when they were not able to work.^{Footnote 1}

The CERB did its job and has now transitioned to a more accessible, simplified and flexible Employment Insurance Program. We have also implemented a complementary suite of new income supports – the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.

Together, the simplified EI Program and new recovery benefits will provide income to support Canadian workers through the next phase of the recovery.

Supplementary adjustments/closing

Honourable members, the items outlined in the Supplementary Estimates process today address the priorities of the Government of Canada and demonstrates our clear commitment to Canadians.

There is no doubt that the financial resources requested will enable us to continue our work. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

-30-

Issue

What are the financial highlights of the 2020 to 2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Employment and Social Development?

Key facts

Response

The Main Estimates for 2020 to 2021 present a total of $68.6 billion in planned budgetary expenditures for the Department of Employment and Social Development, a net increase of $3.8 billion over the 2019 to 2020 Main Estimates of $64.8 billion. The increase is primarily associated with statutory items, in particular, an increase to the Old Age Security Pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments, explained by increases in the average monthly rates and in the increasing number of beneficiaries.

Background

Approximately $68,641.7 million in total budgetary funding is anticipated through the Main Estimates for the Department of Employment and Social Development ($3,824.7 million in voted appropriations and $64,817.0 million in statutory). This excludes funding anticipated through Budget 2020. More than 94% 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 2020 to 2021 have a net increase of $3,872.1 million, or approximately 6.0%, from the previous year's total Main Estimates of $64,769.6 million. This increase in funding is primarily attributable to statutory items:

• an increase of $3,323.3 million to the Old Age Security Pension
• the Guaranteed Income Supplement and to Allowances, explained by expected increases to the average monthly rate and changes in the number of beneficiaries
• an increase of $275.4 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
• an increase of $112.2 million to Canada Disability Savings Grants and Bonds, which is due to a steady increase in total registered Canada Disability Savings Plans and participation in the program
• an increase of $38.9 million related to the delivery of programs and services to the public on behalf of partners, which are to be recovered
• an increase of $34.0 million to the Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond due to more people saving for the post-secondary education of their children, to more children from low-income families receiving the education savings incentives for the first time and to more children continuously receiving the Canada Learning Bond, and
• an increase of $28.2 million for other items

In addition, voted grants and contributions (Vote 5) are expected to reach $3,021.4 million in 2020 to 2021, an increase of $292.6 million from the 2019 to 2020 Main Estimates, mainly attributable to investments announced in Budget 2018 and Budget 2019 to the Student Work Placement Program, the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Transformation Initiative, the Workforce Development Agreements and the Canada Service Corps.

The Department plans to spend $803.3 million in 2020 to 2021 in operating expenditures (Vote 1), representing a net increase of $100.5 million from the 2019 to 2020 Main Estimates of $702.8 million. The net increase is related to additional funding including for the Old Age Security Service Improvement Strategy and workload, Temporary Foreign Worker Program including the Global Talent stream, Canada Service Corps and the modernization of federal labour standards.

It is to be noted the increase in total budgetary expenditures is offset by a decrease of $333.0 million related to measures announced in Budget 2019 (Votes 10 to 85).

Regarding non-budgetary loans, there is a net decrease in authorities of $56.2 million from the 2019 to 2020 Main Estimates, mainly as a result of a Budget 2019 measure which provides an interest-free six-month non-repayment period after a student loan borrower leaves school.

Key quotes

N/A

Prepared by/

Jennifer Moorehead

Senior Director, Planning and Expenditure Management

Chief Financial Officer Branch

Key contact/

Jason Won

Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer Branch

(819) 654-6583

Approved by/

Mark Perlman

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer Branch

(819) 654-6634

Date

February 19, 2020

Issue

Why does Employment and Social Development (ESDC) require additional authorities in the Supplementary Estimates (B) 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:

Background

Text description: Employment and Social Development require additional authorities in the Supplementary Estimates (B) in Operating Vote 1 and Grants and Contributions Vote 5.

Text description: Employment and Social Development require Transfers in the Supplementary Estimates (B) in Operating Vote 1 and Grants and Contributions Vote 5.

Text description: Employment and Social Development require additional authorities’ adjustments in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for Statutory Budgetary authorities.

Text description: Employment and Social Development require additional authorities’ adjustment in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for Statutory non-Budgetary authorities.

Measure

Waive the one - week waiting period for EI sickness: for workers in quarantine.

This measure came into force on March 15, 2020 and was overtaken by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

• CERB provisions came into force retroactively as of March 15, 2020.
• New claims for EI sickness benefits with an effective date on or after March 15, 2020 are processed for the CERB that has no waiting period.

Claimants are benefitting from the CERB rather than the waiver of the waiting period at the moment.

Measure

Work-Sharing Program: extending eligibility from 38 weeks to 76 weeks for employers affected by COVID-19 and other measures including:

• The mandatory waiting period (up to 38 weeks) between agreements was waived for eligible employers.
• The previous requirements for a recovery plan was reduced to a single line of text in the application form.
• Employers who have been in business for 1 year (rather than 2) are now deemed eligible to apply to the program.
• Eligibility was expanded to Government Business Enterprises, public corporations (such as Transit Authorities/Universities) and not-for-profit organization employers.
• An enquiry unit (email) for clients affected by COVID-19 was created, providing responses to employer enquiries within 24 hours.

This measure will provide income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.

Since the special measures were introduced, over 3,525 Work-Sharing agreements have been approved representing over 108,769 workers now supported by this benefit. The cost of these agreements is over $1.3 Billion.

Measure

Waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness, family caregiving and compassionate care benefits: those who are applying for EI regular or sickness benefits, a medical certificate is no longer required for EI claims beginning March 15, 2020 or later.

This was put in place to reduce the burden on the healthcare system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. New claimants for family caregiving and compassionate care benefits are relieved from the requirement to provide a medical certificate. Data is not available on the take-up of this measure.

Measure

Changes to EI for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons: We will allow EI fishing benefits for self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons to be calculated using either their actual fishing earnings for their current claim, or their fishing earnings from their claim for the same season from the previous year, whichever is higher.

Measure

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Ended

We provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 28 weeks to eligible workers who stopped working or whose work hours were reduced due to COVID-19.

We are continuing to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020.

If you continue to need financial support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI)

Measure

Employment Insurance (EI) program

We made temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.

As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:

• Were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks.
• Received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended.
• Stopped working through no fault of your own.
• Have not quit your job voluntarily.
• Are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits).
• Are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits).

If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.

If you are not eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the new benefits:

• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Measure

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Measure

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:

• are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
• are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19

Measure

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
• because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19

Measure

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program:

Key actions taken:

• Exempted TFWs from entry restrictions into Canada (March 26)
• Implemented flexibilities to enable timely access to foreign workers (March 26)
• Developed and communicated new requirements for employers to safeguard the health of Canadians and foreign workers (April 3)
• Announced $50 million to offset costs of new requirements on employers related to COVID-19 in key sectors (April 13)
• Implemented regulatory amendments and launched inspections of employers on new requirements related to COVID-19 (April 20 and 24, respectively)
• The Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program (MISTFWP) provides support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker, to employers or those working with them to ensure requirements are fully met. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory isolation
• Strengthened assessment criteria for all new and existing applications under review to help ensure Canadians have the first opportunity for available jobs
• Agriculture and Agri-food Canada launched "Step up to the Plate – Help Feed Canadians" initiative to encourage careers in the agri-food sector, and help match Canadians with jobs (April 21)
• Service Canada inspectors have begun collaborative assessments with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and local health units to assess the living and working conditions on some farms where outbreaks have occurred (June 24)
• Established a Mexico-Canada Contact Group to collaboratively and effectively respond to COVID-19 outbreaks (June 25)

These measures ensure Canadians have first available opportunity at jobs and that Service Canada is currently prioritizing occupations that directly support and ensure the safety of the Canadian food supply chain.

Measure

Protecting the health and safety of farm workers

We are providing $35 million through the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19. The funding will provide support to farmers for:

• Direct infrastructure improvements to living quarters and work stations, temporary or emergency housing
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitary stations, and any other health and safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19

Measure

Double the Canada Student Grants: to up to $6,000 for full-time students and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21.The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependants will also be doubled.

No student or spousal contribution expected in 2020 to 2021, in recognition that many students and families will struggle to save for school this year.

Increase the maximum weekly amount of Canada Student Loans from $210 to $350 for the 2020 to 2021 school year.

Taken together, these measures are expected to benefit more than 760,000 students in loan year 2020 to 2021 at an estimated cost of $1.9 billion.

Measure

Creating new jobs and opportunities for youth

We are creating up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.

• Canada Summer Jobs program (Calls for applications closed)
  • Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible, holistic services to support all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition in the labour market. The call for applications for the 2020 season is now closed
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (Calls for proposals closed)
  • The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) builds on programming delivered under the previous Youth Employment Strategy. This modernized strategy, which is delivered by 11 departments and agencies across the Government of Canada, aims to provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports to support all young Canadians. The strategy aims to help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market. The call for proposals is currently closed
• Student Work Placement Program
  • The Student Work Placement Program gives post-secondary students across Canada paid work experience related to their field of study
  • ESDC works with Employer Delivery Partners, who work with businesses and post-secondary education institutions to provide wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements; and create partnerships with colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEPs to recruit students for these placements.

Measure

Changes to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy's Canada Summer Jobs program: changes include increased wage subsidies, expanded eligibility and new flexibilities for employers, to ensure it can continue to support up to 70,000 student job placements in 2020 to 2021. These new measures are being supported by a reallocation of existing resources.

On June 25, an additional $61.7M in funding was announced for CSJ 2020 to support the creation of 10,000 additional jobs, expanding the CSJ 2020 work placement target from 70,000 to 80,000 jobs.

We also made temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program to allow employers to:

• receive an increased wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee;
• extend the end date for employment to February 28, 2021;
• adapt their projects and job activities;
• hire staff on a part-time basis.

Measure

Extension of lay-off periods: We have extended time periods for temporary layoffs by up to six months in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations to allow employers more time to recall laid-off employees. The temporary changes will help protect the jobs of federally regulated private-sector employees and support employers facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Measure

Delivering Essential Services to those in need:

Investment of $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need.

Measure

Increasing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB): $300 per child through the CCB for families currently receiving the CCB. This will mean approximately $550 on average per family.

This benefit was delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

Measure

Supporting people experiencing homelessness: support to people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5 million to the Reaching Home initiative.

The funding could be used for a range of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters.

Reaching Home provides communities with significant flexibility in how funding can be used to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. For example, communities can use Reaching Home funding to place individuals in temporary, transitional, or permanent housing accommodations for the purposes of self-isolation; purchase supplies and materials to reduce the risk of transmission, such as personal protective equipment; and, hire additional staff to support the response.

Measure

Helping address urgent housing needs of vulnerable individuals (CMHC)

We are introducing the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians by rapidly creating new affordable housing. This $1 billion initiative will cover the construction of modular housing, as well as the acquisition of land, and the conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing.

It is expected to enable the rapid creation of up to 3,000 new affordable housing units across the country and will help stimulate the economy.

Measure

Special one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment): We are providing a one-time-, tax-free, non-reportable payment of $600 to help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of any of the following programs or benefits:

• holders of a valid Disability Tax Credit
• beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:

• Canada Pension Plan Disability
• Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension; and
• Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada

If you are eligible but never applied for the Disability Tax Credit or your certificate expired in 2019, you must do so by September 25, 2020.

Measure

One-time payment for Seniors:

Seniors who are eligible for the one-time payment for persons with disabilities would receive a total of $600 in special payments. The one-time payment to persons with disabilities would be adjusted to provide a top-up for eligible seniors, including:

• $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and who received the one-time seniors payment of $300; or
• $100 for Canadians with who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowances and who received the one-time seniors payment of $500

Eligible clients will start receiving payments on October 30, 2020

Measure

Providing resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs: A new investment of $15 million in 2020-21 will provide community organizations with resources to improve workplace accessibility and access to jobs in response to COVID-19, including by helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home arrangements. This support will also cover expanding accessible online training opportunities and helping connect Canadians with disabilities working from home with employers.

Measure

Supporting organizations that provide essential services to seniors: We are contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports.

Measure

New flexibilities under the New Horizons for Seniors Program: We are expanding the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million 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.

For all organizations who received funding under the 2019 to 2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream, funding can be used to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19.

Measure

Extending GIS and Allowance payments: Temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been received. This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. Seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020.

Issue

Charities in Canada are requesting supports to withstand the pandemic’s economic disruptions and to pivot their services to support vulnerable groups through COVID-19.

Key facts

• Charities and non-profits employ 2.4 million people across approximately 170,000 organizations (86,000 charities and around 90,000 non-profits). They added $169 billion to gross domestic product in 2017 (8.5% of GDP). Community charities and non-profits (those that are not public bodies like hospitals and universities, and those that are not serving the business sector, like trade associations) represent approximately 150,000 organizations and employ 611,000 people.
• Charities and non-profits range from very large to extremely small organizations. They work at the local, regional, provincial/territorial and national levels and are active in almost every area of social, economic, environmental and community life. They provide meals to isolated seniors, services to children and youth at risk and people with disabilities, shelter for the homeless, support for those fleeing domestic abuse, addiction counselling, settlement services for recent immigrants, assistance to urban Indigenous people and other countless contributions.
• COVID-19 has had a significant negative economic impact on the charitable and non-profit sector. Income has already fallen as charities and non-profits have realized steep drops in sales of goods and services (28% of income to community charities and non-profits in 2017) and donations (18% of income in 2017).
• Imagine Canada, an umbrella group for the charity and non-profit sector, modelled the pandemic’s economic impact on charities (excluding hospitals, universities and colleges). Early estimates from March found that registered charities could see financial losses of up to $15.7 billion, and layoffs of nearly 200,000 employees. Surveys have since found that organizations in the sector are seeing revenues fall by an average of 30% - far higher than expected, and charities have been forced to lay off over 84,000 employees.
• While some charities and non-profits will benefit from a range of measures announced by the federal, provincial and territorial governments, these measures do not fully address the needs of the sector as a whole. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, for example, will help organizations like the YMCA to re-hire employees through the summer months. But over half of Canada’s registered charities are entirely volunteer-run, and will not be eligible for this assistance.

Response

• The Government of Canada sees charities and non-profits as vital partners in the fight to overcome the health, social and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This is why the Government of Canada announced a $9 million investment through United Way Centraide Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors including the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports.
• In addition, organizations currently funded under the New Horizons for Seniors Program have been allowed to re-orient their current projects, collectively valued at over $50M, to respond to the social inclusion needs of seniors. Now those projects can focus on activities such as helping seniors access technology and devices to stay in touch, telephone wellness check-ins with seniors or virtual social gatherings.
• On May 12, 2020 the Government announced an expansion of the New Horizons for Seniors Program with an additional investment of $20 million 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.
• On April 21, 2020, the Government also announced an investment of $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians, including seniors, through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need. The Emergency Community Support Fund provided funding to 3 national intermediaries with networks across the country (United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada) to redistribute to community organizations.
• This announcement built on the work that has been done for vulnerable Canadians, including increased support for those experiencing homelessness, help for women and children fleeing violence, counselling services for children and youth, and support for seniors.
• Economic supports offered to charities and non-profits as part of wider COVID-19 response measures include: the Emergency Support Fund for Cultural; Heritage, and Sport Organizations; the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance; the Canada Emergency Business Account; Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy; the Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy; and and the Work Sharing Program if they met the eligibility requirements.
• We continue to look at ways to support Canada’s charities and non-profits to weather the impacts of COVID-19, so these critical partners for our communities’ wellbeing are ready and able to serve Canadians long into the future.

Background

Over the last number of months, the Government of Canada has heard from a large number of stakeholders who have requested support to address impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

On March 20, 2020, Community Foundations of Canada wrote to the Prime Minister to propose a $1 billion federal contribution to a $1.5 billion fund to keep charities and non-profits in operation. Community Foundations of Canada’s network of 191 community foundations would contribute the other $500 million.

On March 25, 2020, Employment and Social Development Canada received a proposal from United Way for a $150 million Community Response Fund, which included an endorsement for the economic modeling done by Imagine Canada, which demonstrated the need for an $8 billion emergency sector stabilization fund. Additionally, United Way offered its support for the measures suggested by Community Foundations of Canada.

On March 25, 2020, the Emergency Coalition of Canadian Charities, a group of 120 charity leaders, wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau to outline COVID-19’s threat to charities and to call for help. The Coalition proposed an emergency stabilization fund of at least $10 billion to allow charities to stay afloat, pay staff and continue essential services during the pandemic.

On May 18, 2020, Employment and Social Development Canada received a revised proposal from Imagine Canada (an umbrella group for the charitable and non-profit sector) for a $3.75 billion grant program for charities and non-profits that would complement recent investments and help guarantee the survival of critical social infrastructure across Canada.

Charities and non-profits are facing significant financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, even as many face rising demand for services. Like businesses, charities and non-profits are losing revenues from the sale of goods and services due to the economic situation. These organizations will also see disruptions in donations and other fundraising for months to come. Individual Canadian donors are experiencing their own hardships and major fundraising events are cancelled due to physical distancing.

Charities and non-profit organizations are Canada’s summer camps, soccer clubs, museums, mental health services, women's shelters, immigrant services, community health centres, food banks, local places of worship, nature conservancies, and affordable housing organizations

Beyond employment and economic contribution, the organizations in this sector are of critical importance to Canada’s social and environmental welfare: delivering key services, supporting creative expression and contributing to Canada’s social fabric. The organizations in this sector are critical to the kind of recovery Canadians want.

The Government of Canada is taking measures to help support charities to ensure that vulnerable Canadians can get the supports they need during the COVID-19 crisis. The Government has made investments to support charities and non-profits including:

• $9 million through United Way Centraide Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors including the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals' needs and connect them to community supports
• up to $50 million to women's shelters and sexual assault centres, including facilities in Indigenous communities, to help with their capacity to manage and prevent an outbreak
• $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone, a registered charity, to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time
• $100 million for organizations across the country including Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres of Canada, Breakfast Club of Canada, and local-level organizations who serve people experiencing food insecurityde
• $350 million to the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and the United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to ensure business continuity for charities and non-profits who had already started trying to adapt their frontline services to address the social inclusion, well-being and safety needs of vulnerable Canadians during COVID-19, and
• $20 million 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 through an additional investment in the New Horizons for Seniors Program

Furthermore, new flexibilities under the community stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program allowed organizations across the country to use previously approved project funding, approximately $50 million, for essential services to seniors affected by COVID-19. Organizations that were approved for funding for the 2019 to 2020 call for proposals could use their funding for activities such as helping seniors stay connected to their community and family, and supporting the delivery of food and medication to seniors at home.

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, the Program also funds volunteer services that are essential to seniors’ quality of life and ability to live independently, such as Meals on Wheels and supports for seniors who are caregivers.

Charities and non-profits can also apply for economic supports offered as part of wider COVID-19 response measures including: the Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage, and Sport Organizations; the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance; the Canada Emergency Business Account; Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy; the Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy; and the Work Sharing Program if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Workers in the charitable and non-profit sector who met the requirements were also eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and subsequent modified EI program.

Charities and non-profit corporations that are eligible for the Canada Emergency Business Account can apply for interest-free loans of up to $40,000, a portion of which can be forgiven if the loan is repaid on or before December 31, 2022. Some charities and non-profits (large organizations who, in normal times, can count on a predictable income) might be able to manage the burden of a loan; many (small organizations of unpredictable income) will not.

Key quotes

"While COVID-19 is affecting all Canadians, some people are more at risk to the impacts of the pandemic. Recent announcements will further help our most vulnerable Canadians and ensure organizations have what they need to help. Canadians need to look out for one another in these difficult times. We will get through this together."

—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"The Government of Canada strives to support the most vulnerable in our communities. This pandemic means that some of our fellow Canadians need help now, more than ever. That is why we are working with partners to increase the support to ensure organizations on the front lines of COVID-19 can continue to serve those Canadians who need it most."

—The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Prepared by/

Name: Heather Meek

Title: Sr. Policy Analyst

Key contact/

Name: Susan MacPhee

Title: Director, Social Programs Division

Phone number: 613-567-3607

Approved by/

Name: Monika Bertrand

Title: Director General, Social Innovation and Community Development Directorate

Phone number: 613-315-4598

Date: October 29, 2020

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

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 LGBTQ2 community.
• 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 (example too few volunteers to deliver meals or take seniors to medical appointments)
  • elimination of in-person, one-on-one support for vulnerable persons (example cancellation of friendly visits to elderly people or in-home supports for isolated seniors), and
  • cancellation of group programs (example cancellation of day programs for seniors)

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; $9M to United Way Canada through the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support isolated seniors in all regions across Canada; over $400M in additional funding 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 volunteer services that are essential to seniors’ quality of life and ability to live independently, such as Meals on Wheels and supports for seniors who are caregivers.

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.

New flexibilities under the community-based stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program allowed organizations across the country to use previously approved project funding, approximately $50 million, for essential services to seniors affected by COVID-19. Organizations that were approved for funding for the 2019 to 2020 call for proposals could use their funding for activities such as helping seniors stay connected to their community and family, and supporting the delivery of food and medication to seniors at home. The additional investment of $20 million to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, supported organizations that offer community-based projects that reduce isolation, improve the quality of life of seniors, and help them maintain a social support network.

As well, the NHSP provided $9 million in funding to the United Way Centraide Canada to work with communities in each province and territory to support isolated, vulnerable seniors cope with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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 an additional $409 million 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.

Prepared by/

Name: Suzanne Allen

Title: Program Manager

Key contact/

Name: Susan MacPhee

Title: Director, Social Programs Division

Phone number: 613-567-3607

Approved by/

Name: Monika Bertrand

Title: Director General, Social Innovation and Community Development Directorate

Phone number: 613-315-4598

Date: October 29, 2020

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

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 levels of government, charities, the not-for-profit and private sectors to act on a common social issue.
• 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 mutuals, 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 300 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 seeking 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 future of 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, and
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 ten 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 (for example 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 / Social Finance

1. Aki Energy is an Indigenous-led social enterprise working to develop and implement sustainable energy and food solutions in Manitoba First Nations. Using innovative financial models, Aki has made the installation of geothermal technology more affordable for communities, focusing on transitioning households to geothermal power systems and away from grid-electric systems. Aki secured social finance partnerships in 2016 and developed community-driven outcomes contracts that now help finance Aki’s operations. Aki has invested over $4M directly in Indigenous communities. Funding from the Social Finance Fund would help Aki grow and replicate their success in other Indigenous communities.
2. ÉAU Acquaponic Farms is a for-profit social enterprise with advanced technologies dedicated to developing innovative and efficient aquaponics food production systems to support community food autonomy. Aquapo farms help people living in regions without water and urban neighborhoods where fresh produce is not easily available. The Social Finance Fund could help ÉAU expand its research and development activities and also scale its impact in Canada and internationally.
3. Windmill Microlending is Canada’s largest and most successful microlending program for immigrants and refugees. These loans help skilled immigrants pay for professional exams, training, assessments, professional association fees, books and materials, living allowance and other expenses related to obtaining the required credentials or training. Given the higher annual number of newcomers to Canada, opportunities under the Social Finance Fund could help Windmill expand its reach and meet newcomers’ accreditation and training needs.

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)

Prepared by/

Name: Jacob Krolczyk

Title: Senior Policy Analyst

Phone number: 819-654-6213

Key contact/

Name: Raphaël Sauvé

Title: Director, Social Innovation Division, Social Innovation and Community Development Directorate, Income Security and Social Development Branch

Phone number: 819-654-5722

Approved by/

Name: Janet Goulding

Title: Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch

Phone number: 819-654-2156

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: November 19, 2019

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to support implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Key facts

• In 2015, all United Nations (UN) Member States came together to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At its heart lies 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that encompass the social, economic, and environmental challenges of today.
• The Government of Canada supports the 2030 Agenda, and is committed to working with its partners to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world that leaves no one behind.
• To accelerate progress on the SDGs, the Government of Canada is funding projects to raise awareness and is leading the development of a 2030 Agenda national strategy.

Response

• The Government of Canada is advancing policies and programming initiatives that support the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals such as growing and strengthening Canada’s middle class; reducing poverty, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples; advancing gender equality; and ensuring access to justice for all Canadians.
• In June 2019, the Government of Canada released Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. Consistent with implementation plans developed by other countries, this interim document is a first step toward establishing the structures, processes and activities that need to be in place to move the 2030 Agenda forward in a coordinated, transparent and accountable manner.
• A Funding Program has also been established to support initiatives to raise public awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, develop new partnerships, improve knowledge on emerging sustainable development issues, implement innovative approaches that advance several SDGs, and support the important work of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Background

In 2015, Canada and all United Nation (UN) member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), a global framework of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership, that leaves no one behind. At the heart of the 2030 Agenda lie 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with169 targets and over 230 indicators, which aim to address, measure and track progress on today’s economic, social and environmental challenges.

At the federal level, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) leads the coordination of Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in close collaboration with all other ministers and their departments. All departments and agencies are accountable for implementing the 2030 Agenda and for advancing and reporting on the SDGs under their responsibility.

ESDC serves as the coordinating body for Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This includes responsibility to develop a national strategy through engagement with provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders; raising public awareness of the 2030 Agenda and fostering new partnerships and networks to advance the SDGs; and administering a funding program for innovative and horizontal initiatives that support the achievement of the SDGs

In June 2019, the Government of Canada released Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. The result of nationwide consultations, this interim document proposes the structures, processes and activities that need to be in place to move the 2030 Agenda forward in a coordinated, transparent and accountable manner. It also highlights the various actors involved and the partnerships, innovation and investment required to achieve these SDGs.

Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy also includes a first iteration of the Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF), and proposes ambitions, indicators and targets, which lay the foundation for Canada to accurately track and report on its progress on the 17 SDGs. The CIF, which complements the Global Indicator Framework, will include country specific indicators that are relevant to the Canadian context.

The SDG Funding Program ($59.8 million over 13 years) aims to strengthen partnerships with organizations to catalyze efforts, deliver improved outcomes to Canadians, and foster innovative and horizontal initiatives that support the achievement of the SDGs in Canada. It is financed through the transfer of existing resources from 6 core departments: ESDC, Global Affairs Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Women and Gender Equality, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

The SDG Funding Program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to delivering on a whole of government, whole of society approach to the 2030 Agenda by leveraging the work of external stakeholders and investing in innovative initiatives that are horizontal in nature (i.e. projects that contribute to the achievement of more than 1 SDG).

The 2018 to2019 funding program was launched in December 2018 with a solicited intake process for grants up to $100,000. The focus for the first round of funding was to support projects that helped to inform the development of a 2030 Agenda National Strategy, build new partnerships and networks, and raise public awareness of the SDGs. A total of 22 projects were funded during the 2018 to 2019 funding period.

In 2019 to 2020, the SDG Funding Program launched a Continuous Intake for Grants for projects up to $100,000 over 12 months, and a Call for Proposals for Contributions for projects up to $300,000 per year over 36 months. A total of 47 organizations were funded under the 2019 to 2020 SDG Funding Program. To date, the SDG Funding Program has funded 69 grant projects supporting the

Key quotes

"Moving forward in a sustainable way requires us all to think constantly about what we owe to each other and to future generations. We need to frame our expectations of what living a good life means in the context of planetary limits and a holistic understanding of prosperity." Sustainable Development Solutions Network Canada

Prepared by/

Name: Nikola Bennet

Title: Policy Analyst

Phone number: 613-893-1073

Key contact/

Name: Isabelle Laroche

Title: Manager, SDG Unit

Phone number: 819-743-0350

Approved by/

Name: Ellen Holls

Title: Director General, International and Intergovernmental Affairs

Phone number: 819-654-3512

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

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 than non-minority Canadians. Black Canadians are the only visible minority group to have a Canadian-born population with a lower employment rate than established Black immigrants (not to mention below the Canadian average).

Preliminary evidence and statistical analysis by news media indicates that the Covid-19 pandemic has also had a disproportionate impact on Black Canadians.

Response

Issues of Diversity and Inclusion are very important to ESDC especially given its mandate to support Canadians, including vulnerable populations (such as Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, seniors and others).

To maximize the desired results of ESDC’s work, it is important to understand the experiences of diverse populations and the impacts of ESDC’s programs, policies and services on different groups of Canadians. This is done through Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+).

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.

We are putting a particular emphasis on Black Canadians through the development of a Black Centric Lens as part of our 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, in order to increase the capacity of the Department and ensure support to employees, the Department is developing mandatory anti-racism training that will increase awareness of issues related to racism 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 GBA+ Centre of Expertise is developing a Black Centric lens in order to increase GBA+ capacity in this area.

The lens is a tool that will be embedded in the GBA+ process to give targeted attention to Black Canadian communities to help department employees take their history, needs and lived experiences into account when designing or modifying programs, policies and services.

In order for a Black-centric lens to be effective, it will be developed in partnership with Black Canadian organizations to ensure that it reflects this specific group’s needs, priorities and concerns.

The department is planning engagement with Black Community organizations in Fall 2020 to help the Department develop the Black-centric lens and understand key considerations that it should focus on when developing programs, policies and services.

The Human Resources Services Branch is also developing mandatory anti-racism training designed to encourage behavioural changes in intercultural competency.

Key quotes

N/A

Prepared by/

Name: Francois Lachance

Title: Manager

No phone number: 613-894-9586

Key contact/

Name: Mausumi Banerjee

Title: Director

Phone number: 613-294-8986

Approved by

Name: Colin Spencer James

Title: Director General

Phone number: 613-315-4598

Date

Date approved in SADMO : October 29, 2020

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. Of this population, nearly 1.2 million reported in 2016 as Black, representing 3.5% of Canada's total population.

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.
• Taking its cue from Canadians, 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.
• Last year, in recognition of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, the supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative 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 creation of a Canadian Institute for People of African Descent dedicated to looking at issues that affect Black communities. This national institute once established will play 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.
• This year, 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 capital assistance to grassroots Black-led organizations. They were invited to apply for funding of up to $100,000 to build the necessary capacity and infrastructure they need to better serve Black Canadian communities.
• Similarly, contribution agreements were signed with 3 intermediaries, Tropicana Community Services, the Black Business Initiative, and Le Groupe 3737. These 3 intermediaries are working towards launching Calls for Proposals this fall.
• 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.
• To support the work, ESDC has signed an agreement with the Network for Advancement of Black Communities (NABC) to act as the expert service provider to the intermediaries and community grassroots organizations.
• The Government will continue to listen to Canadians, seeking ways to improve engagement with the federal government, public institutions, and strengthen our collective resolve to addressing the harms of systemic racism and discrimination faced by Black and racialized Canadians.
• As committed in the 2020 Speech from the Throne, 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.

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)

Prepared by/

Name: Mamadou Ndiaye

Title: Advisor, Income Security and Social Development Branch

No phone number: 514-445-6069

Key contact/

Name: Eldon Holder

Title: Director, Income Security and Social Development Branch

Phone number: 613-552-0849

Approved by

Name: Monika Bertrand

Title: Director General

Phone number: 613-315-4598

Date

Date approved in SADMO : October 30, 2020

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.
• 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.

3 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. Statistics Canada and ESDC have now completed the review, with new poverty statistics based on the 2018-base 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.

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, which is expected to be released publicly later this year.

Poverty Reduction Legislation - To cement the commitment to reducing poverty, the 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.

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 (membre du Centre de droit, politique et éthique de la santé de l’Université d’Ottawa / 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, directrice générale, Canada sans pauvreté / 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, coordonnatrice nationale de Campagne 2000 / National Coordinator, Campaign 2000

Prepared by/

Name: Emerald Pringle

Title: Analyste de politique subalterne / Junior Policy Analyst, Direction de la politique sociale / Social Policy Directorate

No phone number:

Key contact/

Name: Hugues Vaillancourt

Title: Directeur principal / Senior Director, Direction de la politique sociale / Social Policy Directorate

Phone number: 819-271-6795 (cell)

Approved by/

Name: Catherine Adam

Title: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, SSPB

Phone number: 819-654-2992

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 30, 2020

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 and over 1 million Canadians were lifted out of poverty regardless of the MBM base. 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 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 base-2018 MBM 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 30,000-99,999 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 base-2008 MBM and the base-2018 MBM was mainly driven by the increase of the shelter cost which varied between 15.1% (urban Albertan regions of 30,000-99,999 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.
• COPL 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.
• 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. Statistics Canada and ESDC have now 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, and
  • 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 two-day meeting with provinces and territories; a two-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.

Key quotes

N/A

Prepared by/

Name: Natalie Simeu

Title: Policy Analyst, ESDC

No phone number: 819-580-7118

Key contact/

Name: Hugues Vaillancourt

Title: Senior Director, Social Policy Directorate, SSPB, ESDC

Phone number: 873-396-1267

Approved by/

Name: Catherine Adam

Title: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, SSPB

Phone number: 819-654-2992

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 30, 2020

Issue

A federal children’s commissioner

Key facts

• On September 30, 2020, the Honourable Senator Rosemary Moodie sponsored PMB S-210, Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada Act. The bill proposes an independent Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada who would promote, monitor and report on the implementation of Canada’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and advance the rights of children and youth in Canada.
• Previous private members bills calling for a Canadian Children’s Commissioner include:
  • C-418: An Act to establish a Children’s Commissioner of Canada, introduced by then MP Marc Garneau on June 11, 2009
  • C-420: An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young Persons in Canada, introduced by then MP Marc Garneau on May 3, 2012
  • C-701: An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young Persons in Canada, introduced by MP Irwin Cotler on June 19, 2015
  • C-441: An Act respecting the Office of the Commissioner for Young Persons in Canada, introduced by MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach on April 9, 2019
  • C-451: An Act to establish a Children’s Health Commissioner of Canada, introduced by MP K. Kellie Leitch on May 16, 2019
  • S-217: An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada, introduced by Sen. Rosemary Moodie on June 16, 2020
• All provinces and territories except Ontario and the Northwest Territories have independent Children’s Advocates (under varying mandates and arrangements) that engage with each other through the Canadian Council of Provincial Child and Youth Advocates.

Response

• The Government of Canada is committed to promoting and protecting the rights and well-being of children and youth.
• Several mechanisms already exist to facilitate the coordination of children’s rights and well-being across Canada, including: The Interdepartmental Working Group on Children’s Rights , Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and The Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates . As well, The Prime Minister’s Youth Council has also been established to provide non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister and the Government on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians.
• The Government has established in legislation a member responsible for children’s issues as part of the independent National Advisory Council on Poverty.
• The member will ensure that children’s interests are taken into consideration as the Council engages with Canadians on poverty, advises on a broad range of programs and services regarding poverty reduction, and publically reports on progress being made to meet the government’s poverty reduction targets.
• The federal, provincial and territorial governments are all responsible for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• The federal government implements the Convention through several ways, including laws such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as well as through policies and programs such as the Canada Child Benefit.
• We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners to explore new opportunities to make further progress on issues concerning children and youth.

Background

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international human rights instrument that outlines the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. The CRC is the first legally binding international instrument to protect the full range of human rights of children under the age of 18. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are all responsible for the implementation of the CRC. Canada reports to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body charged with monitoring States’ compliance with the CRC.

The issue of establishing a national children’s commissioner has been proposed and debated numerous times since Canada signed and ratified the UNCRC in 1990 and 1991 respectively. A children’s commissioner has been called for in private members bills, by Senate committees, and by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

A Senate Delayed Answer was prepared for a question raised by the Hon. Senator Jim Munson on December 11, 2019, inquiring if the creation of a Children's Commissioner was a goal of this government. The Senate Delayed Answer indicated that a member with particular responsibilities for children had been named as part of the legislated National Advisory Council on Poverty. The member will ensure that children’s interests are taken into consideration as the Council engages with Canadians on poverty, advises on a broad range of programs and services regarding poverty reduction, and publically reports on progress being made to meet the government’s poverty reduction targets. The member responsible for children’s issue provides a focal point for continued progress on reducing child and youth poverty in Canada.

On September 30, 2020, the Hon. Senator Rosemary Moodie sponsored PMB S-210, Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada Act. The role of the independent Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada would be to promote, monitor and report on the implementation of Canada’s obligations under the CRC and to advance the rights of children and youth in Canada. Though the Office of the Commissioner would not deal with specific local issues, it would serve as a liaison between local authorities and the federal government.

The Act would also require the Children’s Commissioner to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis bodies, including on assisting in the development and implementation of programs adapted to their rights, well-being, traditions and needs, and to encourage the implementation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis law and legal processes in all matters concerning advocacy for their children and youth.

Numerous stakeholders, including UNICEF Canada, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, The Canadian Pediatric Society, and Children First Canada have echoed the recommendation for establishing a Children’s Commissioner.

• UNICEF’s March 2020 alternative report "The Need for Effective Child Rights Governance in Canada" contains a recommendation to create a national Children’s Commissioner "at the federal level that will facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and hold government accountable for the implementation of the Convention."
• Children First Canada and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary released a report on September 4, 2018 entitled Raising Canada: A report on Children in Canada, their Health and Wellbeing. The report suggests that all levels of government should do more to invest in Canadian children. The accompanying media release included 3 recommendations for governments:
  1. establish a national Commission for Children and Youth as an independent government office to promote the best interests of children and hold government accountable
  2. implement a children’s budget to track national investment in children, and
  3. fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Canadian Children’s Charter

Several mechanism already exist to facilitate the coordination of children's rights and well-being across Canada, including:

• The Interdepartmental Working Group on Children’s Rights (co-chaired by the Department of Justice and the Public Health Agency of Canada) promotes coordination and collaboration across the federal government on children’s rights issues. The working group includes members from 18 federal departments and agencies, as well as the Privy Council Office.
• Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies is the national association of Canada's statutory agencies charged with administering federal, provincial and territorial human rights legislation. Its goals are to foster collaboration among its members and to serve as a national voice on human rights issues of common concern.
• The Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates is an association of independent provincial/territorial children's advocates from across Canada who have mandates to advance the rights of children and youth and to promote their voice. Through the Council, these child and youth advocates identify areas of mutual concern, and work to develop ways to address issues at a national level. All provinces and territories except Ontario and the NWT have independent children’s advocates with varying mandates. Ontario’s provincial Ombudsman, who sits on the Council, assumed the responsibilities of the former Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in May 2019.

On January 1, 2020, the Act respecting First Nation, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families came into force. The Act affirms the rights of Indigenous governments and organizations to exercise jurisdiction over First Nation Inuit and Métis child and family services and allows communities to determine how it will exercise jurisdiction. Existing child and family services agencies will continue to provide services to Indigenous children. The Act also establishes national principles including best interests of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality to guide the interpretation and administration of the Act and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Government has also established Canada’s first-ever youth policy to ensure that youth voices across Canada are heard and to guide Government’s priorities and actions. Starting in 2020 and every 4 years thereafter, the Government will release a report highlighting the state of youth in Canada and Government’s initiatives across 6 priority areas: Leadership and Impact; Health and Wellness; Innovation; Skills and Learning; Employment; Truth and Reconciliation; and Environment and Climate Action.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Council has also been established to provide non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister and the Government on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians.

Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders

Prepared by/

Name: Cyrus Sie

Title: Junior Policy Analyst, Families and Care Policy Division

No phone number: (873) 396-3048

Key contact/

Name: Elizabeth Allen

Title: Director, Families and Care Policy Division

Phone number: (873) 396-1183

Approved by/

Name: Karen Hall

Title: Director General, Social Policy Directorate

Phone number: 819-664-4899

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 30, 2020

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 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 outbreak.
• 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 outbreak.
• 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, the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors.
• 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.

Background

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $1.3 million for the Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme in the Supplementary Estimates (B) 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, and there was a subsequent off-cycle funding decision in 2019 committing an additional $42.4M over 2 fiscal years ($31.4M in 2019 to 2020 and $11.0M in 2020 to 2021) for the BDM programme to advance activities to procure technology solutions, and develop programme and project plans for the modernization of service delivery for EI, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), commencing with EI.

Response

• The Department of Employment and Social Development is requesting $1.3 million for fiscal year 2020 to 2021 to support Programme Definition work required to support the transformation of service delivery activities for Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS) statutory programs and prepare for the start of the Implementation Phase.
• 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

ESDC is the largest federal service delivery organization in Canada, providing $136B in direct benefits to Canadians in 2019 to 2020 through EI, CPP, and OAS. These benefits are essential to maintain a safety net for economically vulnerable Canadians including low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

This magnitude of benefits and interactions with Canadians highlights the importance of a strong service delivery model to ensure Canadians have timely access to benefits – a reality further underscored by COVID-19. However, Canada’s major statutory income support programs are facing a number of challenges – outdated IT systems, changing demographics and needs of Canadians, and client expectations of modern and efficient digital service.

To address these challenges, ESDC has embarked on the BDM.

Issue

On March 27th, Service Canada redirected in person services to an eService channel to continue to support Canadians in accessing critical services. All Service Canada Centres (SCC) were temporarily closed to the public. As jurisdictions across the country began resuming operations, clients also expected SCCs to reopen. A reactivation plan was developed for the gradual resumption of public access to SCCs across the country.

Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining service to the public.

Key facts

• As soon as the Service Canada Centres were closed, immediate steps were taken by the Department to reach all Canadians virtually, through the creation of E-Service Canada – 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 eService is excellent with over 1.64M Canadians accessing services via these new channels.
• Even as SCCs reopen, these new services will continue as cornerstones to high touch services, as they are convenient, help avoid lineups at the SCCs, and will help reach as many clients as possible with our services.
• On July 8, 15 pilot sites reopened across the country. Preliminary testing was conducted to establish the safest and most effective approach to reactivate offices.
• As of October 30, 276 sites have reactivated resulting in over 96% of Canada's population within 100 km of an SCC.

Response

• The SCC network has adapted its offices and how services are delivered consistent with Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines and provincial / local public health direction. Protecting the health and safety of our employees and the clients we serve is our key priority.
• Thorough testing was conducted at preliminary locations to ensure proper physical distancing and client flow solutions are in place and could be replicated across the network to ensure the safety of both client and staff.
• New office fit-up includes components such as Plexiglas, hand sanitizer stations, and additional signage added to a reconfigured office space.
• Based on initial assessment and in partnership with Security and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), a reactivation checklist was developed which outlines conditions that must be met before reopening.
• As of October 30, 276 sites have reactivated.

Background

• External communications focus on promoting 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 was 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.
• It has been acknowledged that the return to in-person services will be 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 opening, as we need to ensure that minimum standards are in place in all offices we open to the public to protect our clients and our team members.
• 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.

Key quotes

Not Applicable

Prepared by/

Name: Melissa Albert-Gauthier

Title: Executive Director (acting)

Regional Engagement and Liaison

Citizen Services Branch

Key contact/

Name: Evelyne Power

Title: Director General, In Person Operations and Strategies

Citizen Services Branch (CSB)

Phone number: 819 654-8133

Approved by/

Name: Peter Simeoni

Title: ADM, Citizen Service Branch

Phone number: 819 654-5079

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.5 million related to support in Business Resumption (COVID-19) for federal jurisdiction employers to increase proactive occupational health and safety (OHS) activities, outreach and guidance, and technical expertise in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

[1 paragraph redacted]

• Additional support and guidance for employers and workplaces to protect the health and safety of workers during the pandemic will benefit both employers and about 1.2 million employees in the federal jurisdiction, in addition to reaching a broader workforce in provinces and territories.

Response

• COVID-19 has created challenges on many fronts for workers and employers in Canada.
• The Government of Canada is taking action to protect Canadians and ensure our economy continues to stay as strong as possible through and beyond the COVID‑19 pandemic.
• Every Canadian has the right to a healthy and safe workplace. That is why ESDC sought funding of $3.5 million for 2 fiscal years (FY2020 to 2021 and FY2021 to 2022) to support business resumption activities across the country related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The funding for the COVID-19 Response Coordination Team includes $2.5 million for the Labour Program, and $1.0 million for Transport Canada to increase proactive occupational health and safety (OHS) activities, outreach and guidance, as well as technical expertise.
• As a complementary approach to ESDC's, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety will receive funding of $2.5 million over 2 fiscal years (FY2020 to 2021 and FY2021 to 2022), to develop a comprehensive program to provide credible, informative and clear language resources, guidance, knowledge transfer documents and e-learning materials to enable Canadians to safely return to work during an active and/or post-pandemic environment with minimal risk.

Background

Key quotes

"COVID-19 has created challenges on many fronts for Canadian workers and businesses. As more workplaces reopen, the health and safety of workers is a priority. This new funding for CCOHS will make more advice and information available to workplaces as they take steps to operate safely and responsibly during this pandemic."

– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour

"The need for reliable information and tools to protect the health of workers has never been greater. This funding support from the Labour Program will give CCOHS even greater capacity to provide health and safety guidance and learning modules for specific higher-risk sectors and occupations. This will help employers quickly gain the knowledge they need to ensure a safe and orderly reopening and return to work for all."

– Anne Tennier, President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Labour Program's 2020 to 2021 Funding

Prepared by/

Name: Marie-Pier Chauret

Title: Policy Analyst

Phone number: 343-572-5967

Key contact/

Name: Duncan Shaw

Title: Senior Director, Occupational Health and Safety

Phone number: 613-816-1580

Approved by/

Name: Frances McCormick

Title: Acting Director General

Phone number: 613-818-2074

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

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 2017-2018, 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.

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, and
  • $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, the Government of Canada will make a significant, long-term, sustained investment to create an affordable, accessible, inclusive, high-quality Canada-wide early learning and childcare system.
• In addition, the Government has taken direct action in support of families.
• We have 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.

Background

Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders

Prepared by/

Name: Thomas Glen

Title: Policy Analyst, Early Learning and Child Care

No phone number: 613-614-7740

Key contact/

Name: Elizabeth Casuga

Title: Director, Early Learning and Child Care Policy

Phone number: 819-654-3665

Approved by/

Name: Karen Hall

Title: Director General, Social Policy

Phone number: 819-664-4899

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO:

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $63.9 million for Supporting a Safe Restart in Indigenous Communities (Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care) in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• The purpose of the new funding is 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
• Funding allocations use a base amount of $5M, a distinctions-based formula based on the per-capita number of children aged 0-6, and a remoteness adjustment.
• 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 (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.
• This new funding complements the $19 billion investment under the Safe Re-start Agreement, which is intended to help address the key priorities, agreed upon by Canada’s First Ministers, for the safe restart of Canada’s economy and support measures to address future waves of the pandemic over the next 6 to 8 months. It included actions to support Canadian workers, such as ensuring the availability of safe childcare to help parents returning to work. Safe Re-start funding did not extend to Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care sites and will serve to fill that gap.

Response

• The Government of Canada is providing emergency funding of $120 million in 2020 to 2021 to support Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC). ESDC’s portion of the funding is $63.9M.
• The $120 million in new emergency funding will support Indigenous early learning and child care centres and programs with the challenges and costs associated with adherence to 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 IELCC programming are expected to benefit.
• This new funding is in addition to this government’s 10 year investment of $1.7 billion over ten 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.

Prepared by/

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director, Planning and Expenditure Management, CFOB

Phone number: 613-793-3084

Key contact/

Name: Cheri Reddin

Title: Directrice principale – Executive Director

Phone number: 613-617-1852 / 613-327-1303

Approved by/

Name: Cheri Reddin

Title: Directrice principale – Executive Director

Phone number: 613-617-1852 / 613-327-1303

and

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer, CFOB, ESDC

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $0.4 million for Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• As part of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.2 billion over 10 years to tackle homelessness. On April 1, 2019, the Government of Canada launched Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
• The requested $382,938 was previously allocated contribution funding for Reaching Home in 2019 to 2020 that lapsed under the program's regionally-delivered streams, representing only 0.2% of program funding available under these streams.
• The lapse was identified late in the fiscal year, presenting limited opportunities to engage funding recipients and identify alternatives to support full expenditure. It was re-profiled into 2020 to 2021 to be reinvested in Reaching Home recognizing that communities have exacerbated homelessness needs in the COVID-19 context.
• 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.
• The Government has announced $394.2 million in incremental funding for Reaching Home to support measures such as temporary accommodations or isolation centres to reduce shelter overcrowding.

Response

• One of the most important roles of our Government is to support vulnerable Canadians, including those who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
• In 2017, as part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.2 billion over 10 years to tackle homelessness. On April 1, 2019, we launched Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, which delivers funding directly to municipalities and local service providers.
• The requested $0.4 million was previously allocated contribution funding for Reaching Home that lapsed in 2019 to 2020. This funding has been reprofiled to 2020 to 2021 and will be reinvested in communities as part of the Government's efforts to support those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In addition to maximizing available program funding, the Government has announced $394.2 million in incremental funding for Reaching Home to support local homelessness responses to COVID-19.

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. This 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, specific challenges have occurred in the Toronto shelter system and in Montreal.

Until an effective vaccine is developed and a sufficient proportion of the Canadian population vaccinates to reduce the risk of infection, people experiencing homelessness remain at higher risk to contract and spread the virus. As communities begin to prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19, it will be challenging to maintain the approaches and supports/programs put in place at the start of the pandemic as emergency funds are exhausted and supports begin to be withdrawn.

The Government has identified an additional $236.7 million in program funding to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. This investment will allow communities to continue to adapt service delivery in response to the pandemic in an effort to continue to avoid outbreaks and prepare for future waves. 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 in response to an expected increase in homelessness due to the economic downturn.

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

Prepared by/

Name: Francis Shin

Title: Policy Analyst

Key contact/

Name: Janet Gwilliam

Title: Director, Homelessness Policy and Partnerships Division

Phone number: 819-654-7138

Approved by/

Name: Janet Goulding

Title: ADM, ISSD

Phone number: 819-654-2156

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting $848.5 million for adjustments to Payment to support Persons with Disabilities one-time payment under An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures in Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• Persons with disabilities have faced unique challenges and costs during COVID-19.

Response

• These might include higher costs for: personal support workers and other disability supports; internet due to physical distancing; increased use of taxis and home delivery services for food and medication.
• The Government of Canada will be automatically issuing a one-time non-taxable, non-reportable payment of up to $600 to approximately 1.7 million eligible Canadians to help pay for these expenses.
• About 1.6 million people will receive the payment starting October 30, 2020. That’s $763 million for persons with disabilities. The remaining payments will go out in early 2021.
• To make it easier for eligible clients, rather than ask them to submit an application, the GoC is leveraging existing information to issue these payments.
• Many Canadians are eligible for this payment. They include recipients of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), Quebec Pension Plan disability pension (QPPD), and 7 Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) benefits, and time is needed to put a system in place, integrate and validate the data, and ensure that the payment is issued to the eligible recipient.

Background

June 5, 2020, the GoC announced a one-time non-taxable and non-reportable payment of up to $600 to support Canadians with disabilities.

July 17, 2020, the GoC announced legislative plans to make the benefit available to approximately 1.7 million Canadians with disabilities. Bill C-20 received Royal Assent on July 27, 2020.

[3 paragraphs redacted]

This payment will automatically be issued to:

• holders of an existing valid DTC certificate provided by the Canada Revenue Agency, or those deemed eligible for the DTC who applied by September 25, 2020, and
• beneficiaries as at July 1, 2020 of:
  • CPPD
  • QPPD, and
  • One of the VAC disability supports

Seniors with disabilities, who are eligible for the one-time seniors payment as well as this payment will receive a total of $600:

• if they received the $300 one-time seniors payment for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, they will receive an additional $300, or
• if they received the $500 one-time seniors payment for both the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowance, they will receive an additional $100

Starting October 30, 2020, 1.6 million of the 1.7 million recipients will start receiving their payments. The next payment is planned for January 2021 and includes eligible individuals that applied for the DTC by September 25, 2020, and have not yet received a response from the CRA, as well as those that could not be included in the October payments due to incorrect personal information.

Key quotes

N/A

Name: Joanne Pellerin

Title: Director General, Transformation Management Branch

Phone number: 613-608-1835

Approved by/

Name: Tammy Belanger

Title: A/Assistant Deputy Minister, Transformation Management Branch

Phone number: 613-759-2170

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

Issue

Why is Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) requesting an adjustment of $1.4 million in funding to the statutory item "Contributions to employee benefit plans" in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2021?

Key facts

• Changes to statutory items are presented in the Supplementary Estimates for information purposes only as Parliament has already approved the purpose of the statutory expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made through other legislation (other than Appropriation Acts).
• Contributions to employee benefit plans include costs to the government for the employer’s matching contributions and payments to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and the Quebec Pension Plans, death benefits, and the Employment Insurance Operating Account.

Response

An adjustment of $1,440,799 to EBP costs related to 3 items requested in these Supplementary Estimates is being included in the 2020 to 2021 Supplementary Estimates (B). The 3 items are:

• funding to address the outbreak of COVID-19 among temporary foreign workers on farms ($1,186,801)
• funding for Training for Personal Support Worker Interns; and Other Measures to Address Labour Shortages in Long-Term and Home Care ($176,810), and
• funding to support Business Resumption for federally regulated employers ($77,188)

Name: Jennifer Moorehead

Title: Senior Director

Phone number: 819-654-6402

Key contact/

Name: Jason Won

Title: Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6583

Approved by/

Name: Mark Perlman

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Phone number: 819-654-6634

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO: October 16, 2020

1. Background

On February 27, 2020, the Government tabled the Main Estimates 2020 to 2021 in the House of Commons. At that time, HUMA extended invitations to ESDC Ministers to appear and testify. Due to the pandemic and the Prorogation of Parliament, the House of Commons has not concurred in the Main Estimates in accordance to the Standing Orders. With the return of Parliament in the fall, the Government re-tabled the Main Estimates as well as the Supplementary Estimates 2020 to 2021 (B).

Once the striking of Standing Committees took place and committees were formed, HUMA moved to adopt a work plan for its future business. The first item agreed upon was to invite the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on both the Main Estimates and the Supplementary Estimates. The Committee also invited the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion to appear for 1 hour on November 4. It is expected that the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Seniors will testify before HUMA later in November

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity to Committee Members to question the Minister and scrutinize the planned government spending for the fiscal year prior to the introduction of the appropriation bill authorizing the necessary funds scheduled to take place no later than December 10.

2. Committee proceedings

HUMA is composed of 12 MPs. In the current minority Parliament, the Government does not hold the majority at HUMA. The newly elected Chair is Liberal MP Sean Casey and 2 Vice-Chairs CPC MP Peter Kent and BQ MP Louise Chabot. Mr. Kent and Ms. Chabot are Employment Critics.

Other members are:

• Han Dong (Lib)
• Rosemarie Falk (CPC)
• Leah Gazan (NDP)
• Wayne Long (Lib)
• Jamie Schmale (CPC)
• Ryan Turnbull (Lib)
• Adam Vaughan (Lib)
• Brad Vis (CPC)
• Kate Young (Lib)

The Minister may deliver remarks for a duration of 5 minutes at the beginning of the meeting.

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses would 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 and media analysis

In addition to questions specific to items included in the Estimates documents, the Minister may receive questions from opposition party members related to the following:

Committee profile - (October 2020)

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.

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Seniors Critic, Battlefords — Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Brief biography

Rosemarie Falk is the federal Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster. She was first elected to the House of Commons in a federal by-election on December 11, 2017.

Under the leadership of the Hon. Erin O’Toole, Rosemarie serves as the Shadow Minister for Seniors. She is also a member the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her three children there. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Throughout her work and volunteer experience, she has been actively engaged in her community working with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for seniors, families, taxpayers and rural communities. She is in federal politics to help build a stronger Canada today and for the next generation.

Peter Kent, Conservative Party, Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Thornhill, Ontario

Brief biography

Peter Kent was first elected to the House of Commons representing Thornhill in 2008 and sworn into Cabinet as Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the Americas.

Re-elected in 2011, Peter was appointed Canada's Environment Minister and served in that capacity until July, 2013. In October, 2013 Peter was elected Chair of the House Standing Committee on National Defence. In October, 2015 Peter was again re-elected as MP for Thornhill and appointed Deputy Critic for Foreign Affairs. In Summer, 2016 Peter was appointed as Critic of Foreign Affairs. In September, 2017 Peter was appointed Shadow Minister of Ethics.

Prior to his election to the House of Commons, Peter was a broadcast journalist, having spent more than 40 years working as a writer, reporter, producer, anchor and broadcast executive in Canada, the United States and around the world.

He covered stories that shaped the 20th Century, including momentous events such as the Vietnam and Cambodian conflicts and recovery, decades of conflict, uncertainty and hope in the Middle East, the Ethiopian famine, the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, South Africa’s transition from the apartheid era to Mandela’s presidency, the overthrow of Idi Amin, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.

Peter won a number of awards over the course of his career, including the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award. He is also a member of the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

A passionate believer in community involvement, Peter actively supports a number of charitable organizations. He has served as a mentor with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and was on the Toronto cabinet of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He remains involved with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Jamie Schmale, Conservative Party, Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Ontario

Brief biography

With a strong background in radio, journalism, and federal politics, Jamie has had the honour of representing Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock in Ottawa since 2015.

Prior to entering politics, Jamie attended Fenelon Falls High School and Loyalist College, graduating from the Radio Broadcasting program. Jamie started his career as News Anchor and later News Director for CHUM Media Kawarthas. Covering news, municipal politics, and sports for 91.9FM Radio CKLY in Lindsay, Jamie covered the horrific attacks of 9/11, the blackout of 2003, and the amalgamation of the 16 municipalities of Victoria County into what is now the single-tier City of Kawartha Lakes.

Raised in Bobcaygeon, he now calls Lindsay home. A professional, father, and volunteer, Jamie is actively involved in a number of local charities and not-for-profits.

In 2014, Jamie was nominated by the Conservative party to become the next Conservative candidate for the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock (HKLB) riding. Since first being elected, he has served on various Parliamentary Committees such as the Procedure and House Affairs, Natural Resources and up until prorogation in August 2020, was the Vice Chair of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee.

In 2019, Jamie was asked to serve as the Shadow Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations under previous Leader Andrew Scheer. He is now pleased to hold the role of Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development under his friend, riding neighbour and current Leader, Erin O’Toole.

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.