Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canadians want action, not political games, and that is what our government is delivering. We are creating hundreds of local jobs, supporting communities and building energy projects and infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast that power homes and grow our economy. The Conservatives opposite can keep talking on that side of the House, but we are about action.
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Mr. Speaker, we are creating high-paying jobs for young people with our investments in housing. Build Canada Homes will invest $13 billion in housing. It will catalyze new methods of construction, new jobs in factories, new jobs from coast to coast to coast, using Canadian materials, Canadian steel and Canadian lumber. Yes, that is trees to keys. It will get our youth working, and then they can li…
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Mr. Speaker, I was just wondering if the member maybe could share the importance of partnerships and building partnerships with municipalities, with provinces, with the non-profit sector and with indigenous communities, and comment on the fact that this really is a whole-of-government approach. We need all hands on deck if we want to build the housing Canadians need right now. In particular, I wou…
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Mr. Speaker, that project involves clean energy, the creation of local jobs and economic growth. It was approved by the Canada Infrastructure Bank through an arms-length process led by non-partisan public servants. Even the Progressive Conservative government in Nova Scotia supports the project. It is easy to see why. It will create hundreds of good jobs for Nova Scotians, strengthen local communi…
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Madam Speaker, I agree that we need better timelines. I agree that we need reform, but the way to do that is through partnership, including with municipalities. As a former municipal leader, I think that our colleague across the floor would believe in that as well. The statement from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities welcomes the federal government's Build Canada Homes initiative as a stro…
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Madam Speaker, we are very much committed to transitional and supportive housing. There is a $1-billion allocation through Build Canada Homes in that regard. We look forward to partners bringing forward land. We will bring forward capital, and we need to rely on the provinces for that much-needed operational support.
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Madam Speaker, I am wondering if the member could speak to the importance of partnership. Dunn House is a beautiful example of partnership, with different governments and agencies coming together. We heard comments earlier from the opposition that talked about overriding the rights and responsibilities of municipalities. I am wondering if the member can speak to the importance of partnership.
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Madam Speaker, establishing Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation provides the legal and operational flexibility and autonomy needed to deliver on its mandate while maintaining a clear accountability framework to government. It allows Build Canada Homes to hold assets independently, to invest and to engage in complex financial transactions. Build Canada Homes is designed to do more than just f…
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Madam Speaker, I am delighted to speak to my previous role as deputy mayor in the city of Toronto. Working alongside partners, we passed an ambitious plan for affordable housing in the city of Toronto. We also passed rules to allow multiplexes across the city and multitenant homes. We cut down on red tape. We improved zoning so that it made it easier to build. We also transformed the way we do pro…
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Madam Speaker, importantly, we realize that municipalities are our partners and that we need to work together to advance housing in municipalities from coast to coast to coast. We have exciting partnerships under way, including right here in Ottawa. Canada's new government has secured a new partnership with the City of Ottawa to build 3,000 mixed income and affordable housing units across the city…
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Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member of Parliament for Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park. I appreciate the opportunity to appear here today to speak in support of the Build Canada Homes act. This landmark legislation would establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation dedicated to building and expanding access to more affordable homes in Canada. Over time, Canada's housing ne…
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Mr. Speaker, we have lots of respect for all the individuals who are out there building important infrastructure in Canada. We expect all employers to follow the rules to ensure that Canadians are safe day in and day out. We will continue to work forward so we can make sure that happens.
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Mr. Speaker, it was most disappointing to see the Conservatives, yesterday, voting against a national strategy for housing for young Canadians. On this side, we care deeply about housing affordability for young Canadians. That is why we have the Build Canada Homes act before the House, which would catalyze innovation in homebuilding and bring down home costs for young Canadians and all Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are all talk, and we are all action. In 100 days, Build Canada Homes has secured landmark agreements with provinces and cities. It has advanced construction on six federal lands. We have lined up thousands of new homes for construction. Over the past month alone, affordable housing projects have gotten well under way in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. We are ready t…
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Mr. Speaker, Conservatives have the opportunity to work with us on this side of the House by supporting the budget implementation act, which has funding for housing-enabling infrastructure through the build Canada strong fund. It also includes measures to decrease the GST, in particular for first-time homebuyers and young Canadians. Importantly, the Conservatives can support the Build Canada Homes…
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Mr. Speaker, I have good news for the Conservatives. There are two bills before the House that they can support, which would improve affordability for young Canadians. The first is the budget implementation act, which would bring in the first-time home ownership GST rebate. It would also bring in housing infrastructure that would bring down the cost of housing. On top of that, the Conservatives ca…
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Mr. Speaker, it is regrettable the member opposite is not supportive of Build Canada Homes. I was just in his riding, where we announced a project. I spoke with the residents living in affordable housing there, and they talked about how important it was. We know that with budget 2025, we are working to accelerate construction. We are cutting delays, increasing permitting capacity and working with …
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Mr. Speaker, there is more good news. Build Canada Homes is delivering affordable housing for Canadians. In just 100 days, it has secured landmark agreements with provinces and cities, and advanced building on six federal lands. It is lining up thousands of affordable homes with shovels in the ground very soon. Over the past month alone, it has projects under way in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario…
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Mr. Speaker, the government cares deeply about affordability for young Canadians. That is why the Build Canada Homes act is before the House right now. Build Canada Homes is about strengthening Canada's future by creating a modern, resilient housing industry. We are building an industry that protects our economy, empowers our workers and gives Canadians, especially young Canadians, the affordable …
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is taking action to build the infrastructure communities need and to make housing more affordable for Canadians. Budget 2025, “Canada Strong”, delivers generational investments to meet these goals. It includes $51 billion for a new infrastructure program, with $17 billion dedicated to housing enabling infrastructure. This will allow cuts to development charges…
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Mr. Speaker, this government is focused on restoring affordability and lowering housing costs. Build Canada Homes will build and finance affordable housing by partnering with builders and housing providers focused on long-term affordability. It will prioritize Canadian-made materials and modern methods of construction, such as factory-built housing, to catalyze a new Canadian housing industry, one…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite, a fellow Durham region MP, for the question. The Government of Canada is focused on delivering change and ensuring that the country's housing system works for everyone. We know many Canadians are struggling to get ahead and buy their first home. Budget 2025, Canada strong, is making generational investments of $25 billion over five years for housing and $1…
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Mr. Speaker, Build Canada Homes is focused on building affordable housing at scale. Through this newly launched agency, Build Canada Homes, we are taking a team Canada approach and strengthening our relationships with key partners in the housing sector. This government will leverage every tool at its disposal to address our country's housing crisis, deliver on our ambitious housing agenda and make…
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Mr. Speaker, generations of underinvestment and systemic discrimination have created a serious shortage of safe, affordable housing and of supports for indigenous peoples across Canada. Build Canada Homes will help address this by financing affordable housing at scale across the housing continuum, in collaboration with provinces, territories and indigenous partners. The program offers flexible inc…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a housing crisis. Rent and mortgage costs are still unaffordable. During the last election campaign, Canadians told us loud and clear that it is time to build. This means building housing at a pace not seen in generations. That is why we launched Build Canada Homes, a program focused on building and financing affordable housing at scale to meet the needs of Canadians …
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is taking action to solve Canada's housing crisis. We are making housing more affordable and attainable for Canadians because everyone deserves a place to call home. Too many Canadians across the country are struggling with the high cost of housing, and the federal government is focused on solutions. We are starting to put money back into Canadians' pockets by…
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is building on our successes and continuing to make historic investments in housing. Build Canada Homes will leverage public lands, offer flexible financial incentives, attract private capital, facilitate large portfolio projects and support manufacturers to build the homes Canadians need. We encourage the opposition to work with us so that we can build the ho…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question. Canadians have asked us to take action. This is why we launched “build Canada homes” in order to meet housing needs across the country. The program will ensure co-operation with the provinces, cut red tape and help small communities build housing more quickly. We are working closely with Quebec, where local organizations are key i…
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Madam Speaker, our government is always committed to working with provinces to ensure that Canadian residents are safe. We look forward to ongoing discussions in this regard continuing so that we can find a solution that works for everyone.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in response to a motion calling on the government to fully withdraw from litigation involving Bill 21. In effect, the motion would have the House agree that the Government of Canada, the government of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast, should not participate in one of the single most important constitutional appeals in recent memory before our Supreme Co…
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party is the party of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, so it will come as no surprise to anyone that our government is doing its job, which is to defend the charter. The Supreme Court's decision will determine how federal and provincial governments can invoke the notwithstanding clause in the years to come. As this case is before the courts, it is important to …
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Mr. Speaker, we know the notwithstanding clause can be challenged, and we have seen that in Ontario. It has been tried in courts, and in some cases it has been overruled and in other cases it has been ruled as justified. What we have before the Supreme Court is an assessment of the use of the notwithstanding clause and whether or not it does infringe upon the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is …
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Mr. Speaker, using it pre-emptively is not giving due justice to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I think it is important that the laws are passed and that citizens can challenge them when they need to, and certainly that is the case. There are many citizens challenging Bill 21, saying that it is not respecting their rights and freedoms. They have the right to be heard in court. There is a grea…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a housing crisis. During the last election campaign, Canadians made it clear that the time has come to build housing. This means building housing at a pace not seen in generations. That is why we have launched “build Canada homes”, a program focused on building and financing affordable housing at scale to meet the needs of Canadians by bringing together all aspects of…
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Mr. Speaker, CMHC is getting to work on building supportive housing and affordable housing. We have financing that is being released at a scale that has not been seen in generations. We know CMHC has a proven track record of delivering. We have seen that over the last 10 years with affordable housing and supportive housing that is being built in this country at a scale not seen before.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians made it clear in the last election campaign that it was time to build, and that means building more housing at a pace that has not been seen in generations. That is why we have launched “build Canada homes”, which will be focused on building and financing affordable housing at a scale not seen in generations. This includes the first tranche of projects: six sites on Canada f…
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Mr. Speaker, we share in the disappointment that BC Ferries has gone forward with this procurement. It is important to note that no Canadians bid on this work. We are now laser-focused on buying Canadian. What we need to do as a government is ensure that work is being done by Canada, in Canada, by Canadian workers, using Canadian materials. It is time to build. It is time to buy Canadian.
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Mr. Speaker, “build Canada homes” will bring together the right people with the right mandate under one roof. Importantly, a focus of “build Canada homes” will be to use modern construction methods with Canadian skilled trade workers and Canadian materials. The six sites that we have mentioned are just the first tranche of projects, which will build 4,000 new homes. We are looking to build hundred…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government has a credible and ambitious plan to tackle the housing crisis and to build at a scale not seen since the Second World War. We are going to get affordable homes built with “build Canada homes”, which will be using Canadian skilled trades, Canadian materials and modern methods of construction. This is building on the work we have already done to stimulate the housing…
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Mr. Speaker, importantly, our public safety minister has been consulting from coast to coast to coast over the summer, talking to police chiefs, talking to victims, talking to everybody who is involved in the justice system. He will be bringing forward comprehensive legislation this fall to strengthen Canada's bail system, increase sentences for the most serious repeat violent crimes and address c…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect action, and that is exactly what the Government of Canada is delivering. I am so happy that our program will have a strong focus on affordable and supportive housing, something that is so very needed in our country. The new federal agency “build Canada homes” will finance and build affordable homes at scale and will supercharge homebuilding across the country by lever…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government understands that housing affordability is important and that it is important for us to make life more affordable for Canadians. That is why we implemented tax cuts for middle-class, dual-income families, effective as of this past Canada Day. This will allow 22 million hard-working Canadians to save up to $840 per couple per year, totalling $27 billion for Canadians …
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is very dangerous to use words like that. This is a country to which we want to attract people as tourists. We want our communities to know that they have amazing correctional service officers and amazing police officers who are out there keeping them safe. When we say things like that, it really negates the great work being done by all those great people, the public servan…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for caring about community safety. I think everyone in this House stands united in caring about safety and ensuring the communities we serve are safe. Our government does take this issue very seriously. I signed up to run because it was a commitment of this government to address bail reform and strengthen our borders. Right now before us, we have Bill C-2, which is …
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith. Today, I am here to rise in the House and speak to the motion introduced by the member for Battle River—Crowfoot. We all know that protecting the safety and security of Canadians in our communities and upholding the rights of victims remain top priorities for our government. The Correctional Service of Canada works to ke…
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Mr. Speaker, with regard to the federal government’s purchase of the Québec Bridge, and particularly with respect to part (a) of the question, Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, supported by Parsons-Tetra Tech, submitted a life cycle analysis of the Québec Bridge covering the 75 years following its acquisition by the Government of Canada. With respect to part (b) of the question, …
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Mr. Speaker, with regard to homes constructed under the Housing Accelerator Fund, or HAF, since the program's introduction in March 2023, growth resulting from the Housing Accelerator Fund is measured by the number of permitted housing units approved under the Fund agreement, compared to a baseline anchored in the community’s historical growth. Each agreement includes an overall Housing Supply Gro…
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Mr. Speaker, what follows is with regard to housing programs and initiatives and federal housing transfers to Quebec and the provinces. With respect to part (e), the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada is developing a path forward to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Prime Minister’s mandate letter and the Speech from the …
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Mr. Speaker, with regard to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s collection of information on housing availability across Canada, between January 1, 2024, and June 15, 2025, please find the latest statistical housing information on starts and completions on the following web page: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-data/data-tables/housing-…
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Mr. Speaker, in November 2023, Canada and Quebec announced an agreement to implement the housing accelerator fund in the province of Quebec. This agreement included a total federal contribution of $900 million, aimed at creating tens of thousands of housing units and implementing regulatory reforms in Quebec. A subsequent agreement was signed for an additional $92 million, bringing the total feder…
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