Bill C-4 (Historical)

COVID-19 Response Measures Act

An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Carla Qualtrough Liberal

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

Part 1 enacts the Canada Recovery Benefits Act to authorize the payment of the Canada recovery benefit, the Canada recovery sickness benefit and the Canada recovery caregiving benefit to support Canada’s economic recovery in response to COVID-19. It also makes consequential amendments to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations.
Part 2 amends the Canada Labour Code to, among other things,
(a) amend the reasons for which an employee is entitled to take leave related to COVID-19, and the number of weeks of that leave that an employee may take for each of those reasons; and
(b) give the Governor in Council the power, until September 25, 2021, to make regulations in certain circumstances to provide that any requirements or conditions, set out in certain provisions of Part III of that Act, respecting certificates issued by a health care practitioner do not apply and to provide for alternative requirements and conditions.
This Part also makes related amendments to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act to ensure that employees may continue to take leave related to COVID-19 until September 25, 2021. Finally, it makes related amendments to regulations and contains coordinating amendments.
Part 3 amends the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act to limit, as of October 1, 2020, the payments that may be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund under that Act to those in respect of specified measures related to COVID-19, up to specified amounts. It also postpones the repeal of that Act until December 31, 2020.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-4s:

C-4 (2025) Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act

C-4 (2021) Law An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)

C-4 (2020) Law Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement Implementation Act

C-4 (2016) Law An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Income Tax Act

Votes

Sept. 30, 2020 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-4 enacts three COVID-19 recovery benefits, amends the Canada Labour Code for worker protections, and extends financial support through the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.

Liberal

Supports Bill C-4: The Liberal party supports Bill C-4 as it provides new benefits and extends spending authority to continue supporting Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery.
Introduces new recovery benefits: Bill C-4 establishes three new recovery benefits (CRB, CRSB, CRCB) to provide income support for workers, including self-employed, who are not eligible for the updated EI program.
Enhances EI program access: The bill complements temporary regulatory changes to the EI program, lowering the hours needed to qualify and setting a national unemployment rate floor to expand eligibility for more Canadians.
Extends spending authority: The bill extends the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act until December 31, allowing the government to continue funding essential pandemic response measures, support programs, and procurement.

Conservative

Limits on scrutiny: Conservatives criticize the government for rushing the $50+ billion spending bill through Parliament with limited time for scrutiny, showing contempt for elected members.
Excessive spending and debt: The party is concerned about the soaring deficit and national debt, exceeding historic levels, and notes there is no government plan to balance the budget or repay the debt.
Failure to plan for pandemic: Conservatives argue the need for extensive benefits stems from the government's failure to plan and respond effectively to the pandemic, including border measures, rapid testing, and tracing.
No economic recovery plan: The party criticizes the bill for lacking a long-term economic plan and measures to get Canadians back to work, advocating for alternatives like rapid testing and private sector stimulus.

NDP

Secured key provisions: The NDP fought to ensure Bill C-4 includes crucial support measures for Canadians impacted by the pandemic, viewing the bill as a result of their pressure.
Maintained income support: The party successfully pressured the government to maintain the monthly income support at $2,000 instead of reducing it to $1,600 as initially planned.
Won paid sick leave: The NDP secured the first-ever federal paid sick leave program in Canada, arguing no worker should have to choose between going to work sick or losing pay.
Advocates for permanent measures: While supporting the bill, the NDP views it as a temporary patchwork approach and calls for these income and sick leave supports to be made permanent parts of the social safety net.

Bloc

Supports bill C-4 principle: The Bloc supports the principle of Bill C-4 and its measures, particularly the work incentives and flexible benefits designed to help workers and support the economy.
Criticizes government process: The party strongly criticizes the government for proroguing Parliament and rushing the bill through without proper debate or hearing from witnesses, calling it undemocratic.
Identifies specific flaws: Members highlight specific issues not addressed, such as eligibility for parents of critically ill children, lack of support for certain industries like travel, and insufficient aid for seniors.
Questions permanence of changes: The Bloc questions whether the improvements to benefits and EI will be temporary pandemic measures or the basis for real, lasting reform of the employment insurance system.

Green

Supports passing bill: The Green Party welcomes the legislation and supports its quick passage as it helps Canadians, but notes it is not comprehensive enough to address all needs.
Advocates guaranteed livable income: The party argues that legislating specific examples for benefits risks leaving people out and calls for a universal guaranteed livable income as a more effective social safety net.
Concerns for specific sectors: Members express concern that the bill does not adequately address the needs of Canadians with disabilities and various businesses, especially those in the struggling tourism sector.

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COVID-19 Response Measures ActGovernment Orders

September 30th, 2020 / 1:55 a.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

And one or more members having risen:

Pursuant to order made Wednesday, September 23, we will now proceed to a recorded vote.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #6

COVID-19 Response Measures ActGovernment Orders

September 30th, 2020 / 3:05 a.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

The member for Richmond—Arthabaska on a point of order.

COVID-19 Response Measures ActGovernment Orders

September 30th, 2020 / 3:05 a.m.

Conservative

Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like some clarification. We saw many members turn their cameras off during the vote. It seems to me that the rules are extremely clear, and I am sure that your staff, the IT people, can check on that. You have already pointed out this situation several times. One day, a vote might bring down the government. There are important decisions to be made. It seems to me that the rules are extremely clear. I would like you to clarify the situation for us so that we can be sure to follow the rules we were given.

COVID-19 Response Measures ActGovernment Orders

September 30th, 2020 / 3:05 a.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

As I mentioned earlier, it is very important that members' cameras remain on for the duration of the vote. Members' cameras must be on from start to finish.

I will finish and we will then proceed to points of order.

The bill stands referred to a committee of the whole.

Pursuant to an order made earlier today, Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19, is deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, deemed read a third time and passed.

(Motion agreed to, bill deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, deemed read a third time and passed)

COVID-19 Response Measures ActGovernment Orders

September 30th, 2020 / 3:05 a.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska on a point of order.