QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
November 17, 2020
Honourable senators, my question today happens to be for the government leader. My question, Mr. Leader, is a follow-up to a question I asked on June 26 about rent assistance for the Royal Canadian Legion.
The Trudeau government bent over backwards to help its friends at the WE charity, but the Legion still couldn’t access support more than six months after the pandemic started. On September 2, the Legion’s Dominion President, Thomas Irvine, stated that his two letters to the Prime Minister had been met with radio silence. He said, “The federal government is dragging its heels in providing promised assistance.”
Bill C-4, which received Royal Assent in October, set out $20 million in support for veterans organizations. Leader, could you tell us if the Royal Canadian Legion has received funding under Bill C-4 to pay for their operational costs for November? If not, when will they get it?
Thank you very much for the question. Since the beginning of this pandemic, it has been a priority for the government to ensure that veterans organizations like the Legion are able to continue the good work they do for veterans and their families.
I was able to pay for my legal education at The University of British Columbia by playing in bands in legions in Vancouver, so as a younger man I saw first-hand the important sense of community that legions build.
The government’s announcement, senator, to which you referred, of a $20-million temporary organizational emergency support fund, will provide that emergency support. It’s an important measure to help these legions.
I don’t know exactly what the status is of the money, so I will make inquiries and be happy to report back.
Every day I am amazed at the government’s priorities, while things of top priority are not done.
Last week, leader, was Remembrance Day and actions speak louder than words. Leader, along with the status, can you also find out when your government expects to have fully distributed the promised $20 million to veterans’ organizations?
I certainly will, thank you.
