ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — ANDREW ROBINSON
THE TELEGRAM
It remains to be seen whether the federal government will find a way to help workers and businesses that took a significant financial hit during the lengthy state of emergency in St. John's.
Through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFFA) program, the federal government can help provinces and territories address the effects of large-scale natural disasters. These funds can be used to replace or repair personal property and businesses, among other things. But one matter that the fund is specifically forbidden to deal with is loss of income.
St. John's East MP Jack Harris knows there are lots of constituents in his riding in a tight spot at the moment. Some are struggling to pay for rent and utilities bills due to the loss of income resulting from eight days in St. John's when businesses were not permitted to open.
"The state of emergency in St. John's meant for eight days, people were legally prevented from working and businesses were legally prevented from opening," Harris said. "This is a consequence not of anyone's making, except the operation of law and the state of emergency itself. I think it's incumbent upon the government to assist people in this way. Lots of people had their salaries or income continued, but the people who haven't are in fact amongst the most vulnerable of our friends and neighbours and family members who don't have that level of security."
Harris says he would like to see both the provincial and federal governments contribute to this cause, and he acknowledges Premier Dwight Ball has talked with representatives in Ottawa about seeing what can be done to help workers and businesses.
Harris said he has spoken with fellow Newfoundland and Labrador MPs and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair, but he's thus far left with the impression there is not a pre-existing program to specifically deal with lost wages and revenue.
"We support the notion that small business owners should be assisted as well," he said. "The problem is, we don't have it being addressed at this point by the Government of Canada or the province."
Harris said thus far he has not been able to get much of a response from people in government. He says there has been talk of using the Employment Insurance system to help deal with this situation, but it is not really designed to address instances like the recent state of emergency.
"That program is not adequate. The policies within the program, the regulations within the program, don't meet this kind of emergency. We are still in a situation where we need a political commitment and a willingness to find the resources to make that happen. If the province is making a claim under (DFFA), a claim for lost income won't work in that program."
Now a week removed from the state of emergency being lifted in St. John's, Harris does not intend to let the issue go away, noting the other MPs from the province are still talking about the lost income with Ottawa colleagues. He says the government needs to look at establishing a permanent program specifically designed to address lost income, adding that the effects of climate change could lead to a lot more disasters of this magnitude in the years and decades ahead across Canada.
The Telegram contacted Liberal MP for St. John's South-Mount Pearl Seamus O'Regan, but did not receive a response prior to deadline.
Twitter: @CBNAndrew
