Schreiner statement on emergency COVID-19 legislation

March 19, 2020

“In times of emergency, people look to their elected officials to put political differences aside and act swiftly to protect them.

I voted in favour of both pieces of legislation because they are common-sense measures that give people immediate relief.

But this is the tip of the iceberg.

The government must work on a more comprehensive relief package that includes additional wage subsidies for businesses, free childcare for essential workers and emergency funding for First Nations and vulnerable populations.

But above all, this crisis underscores the need for basic income security so that no one falls through the cracks when our society is shaken to the core.

That’s why I am urging the province to provide an emergency income top-up to supplement the federal assistance announced this week.

Existing EI and job security measures do not adequately support all people, especially gig workers, contractors and the self-employed. As this pandemic takes money out of their pockets, we must step in to fill the gap.”

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