Dear Editor,
Christmas is a time of celebration, when family gets together and when good times are enjoyed by all. This year, the pandemic has cast a pall on the traditions of Christmas as contacts are limited and social distancing requirements are needed to deal with the COVID virus. Little did we know the Canadian government, with its CRA, would . . .
add to the grief of some Canadians, would demand repayment of the emergency relief money it gave easily and willingly starting in March to economically vulnerable Canadians, money given to help them survive the pandemic, a universally lauded scheme.
The government’s recent CRA announcement was made in such a way as to disparage all recipients of this CERB money. It is now stating eligibility rules it did not articulate back in March. This money was a relief to desperate people and accepted gratefully. Now, if the CRA claims that fraud occurred, it should quietly track down fraudsters and apply the legal processes that our country has in place. But to cast aspersions on a whole swath of people who acted in good faith on the information they had at the time is hypocritical. It is in poor taste. Perhaps the Liberals are playing to an element of their conservative base which thinks it is okay to attack the poor and vulnerable.
The Canadian government spent nearly 400 billion dollars getting Canada and Canadians through the crisis of the pandemic. Yes, it gave subsidies to large oil companies like Imperial Oil, which then promptly paid shareholders dividends because of the profitable situation it was in. Yes, it gave money to places like the Royal Ottawa Golf Club whose members are the extremely wealthy and well placed, who parked emergency funds for future use. Are these organizations being asked to return money?
The Trudeau government has advertised itself as the government of the people, this latest CRA action reveals a darker side of its character and has us worried. Calling an amnesty and reversing course might salvage some of its reputation.
Carl Hager, Member of the Pontiac NDP riding association
Pontiac, Que.
