With the federal government rolling out aid packages individuals and businesses across the country that have been impacted by COVID-19, Bob Zimmer wants to know where the aid package is for the oil and gas sector.
“It has been nine days since Finance Minister Bill Morneau told Parliament that help for the oil and gas sector during this health and economic crisis would be announced in a matter of ‘hours or days’ and ‘not weeks,'” the Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP said in a statement issued Friday. “Our energy workers are still waiting.”
Applications for many of the programs launched by Ottawa to help workers across the country will be available online on Monday. Earlier this week Ottawa unveiled the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This would provide a 75 per cent wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.
“We, as the Official Opposition, are calling on the government to finalize and release their action plan to help energy workers and the oil and gas sectors. Any action the government takes should focus on real solutions that secure the short-term survival of energy employers and workers, and longer-term measures that will ensure recovery and future growth in Canada.”
He said his should include: “Tools that ensure easy access to needed funds, with particular focus on small and medium size operators; improve competitiveness by reducing costs, cutting red tape, and once again making Canada a safe and desirable place to invest; ensure our energy independence by getting pipelines built; and sustain employment – by both maintaining existing jobs and getting people back to work.
“Our energy workers and their families are hurting right now and they need to get the help they rightfully deserve. The time for action is now.”