Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to rise today to speak in support of the Build Canada Homes act. This landmark legislation will establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation tasked with building and expanding affordable housing for Canadians.
Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis. To date, federal efforts have been spread across multiple departments, agencies and provinces, limiting the government's ability to have maximum impact. Traditional approaches to construction and financing do not provide the scale and capacity that Canadians need. That is why we are taking a new approach.
Every Canadian deserves an affordable place to call home. Housing is a basic need, and the growing demand for housing across the country requires urgent action. Build Canada Homes was created to act quickly and effectively. This legislation will give Build Canada Homes the flexibility and operational autonomy it needs to carry out its mandate.
As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will maintain a clear framework of accountability with respect to the government. That will strengthen its ability to develop partnerships across the housing ecosystem and provide affordable housing at the scale and speed that Canadians need.
Build Canada Homes will streamline federal housing efforts by acting as a developer, a funder, a unifying force and a catalyst for innovation in the housing sector. It will play a central role in building strong partnerships with all levels of government and indigenous communities. It will also work with non-profit organizations and other key stakeholders in the housing sector to stimulate the construction of affordable housing across Canada. This includes private developers and community organizations.
As members know, people in Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles are already engaging with organizations interested in working with Build Canada Homes. We already have community housing, built with community organizations, in Saint‑Eustache, Boisbriand, Deux‑Montagnes and Rosemère. Obviously, we all want to build affordable housing.
Build Canada Homes cannot act alone. The success of its initiatives depends on partnerships. Greater collaboration among all levels of government, whether municipal, federal or provincial, and with key partners, is needed to address the housing challenges we face across the country. Build Canada Homes will streamline and accelerate the delivery of large-scale affordable housing projects. The agency will attract public, private and philanthropic investment, maximizing its impact.
The Build Canada Homes act will foster partnerships across the housing ecosystem to connect the right funding to the right projects. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will consolidate access to federal lands, development expertise and flexible financial tools through a single entity. It will speed up the delivery of affordable housing by working with non-profit organizations, indigenous organizations and all levels of government. This approach will limit risk, eliminate barriers and guide projects throughout the development process.
Build Canada Homes will also work in close collaboration with developers, investors and manufacturers on securing funding and building homes. It will work directly with builders and housing providers that are focused on long-term affordability. That includes non-profit organizations, co-operatives, community housing providers and organizations that promote different housing options for Canadians. These strategic partnerships will make it possible to create affordable housing for a wide range of households, regardless of their income.
We are working with stakeholders in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles to fast-track the construction of affordable housing across the riding.
Build Canada Homes will have the authority to work under agreements with all levels of government and community partners on financial support, joint ventures and joint development initiatives.
The agency will seek to establish close collaboration and coordination with the provinces and territories, which will help advance priority projects. This could include making land available, expediting approval processes and waiving applicable fees.
I will now turn to partnerships with indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples face unique housing challenges. Build Canada Homes will collaborate with first nations, Inuit and Métis governments, indigenous housing providers and urban indigenous organizations on proposals that will deliver consistent housing outcomes. Build Canada Homes will work collaboratively to address the housing needs of indigenous communities. The Government of Canada respects indigenous sovereignty and supports self-determined housing solutions that apply an indigenous lens to design and implementation. Our indigenous partners know how to integrate culture and adopt housing solutions that enable their communities to thrive. Build Canada Homes is committed to fostering close collaboration with indigenous peoples and advancing indigenous housing priorities.
I would now like to talk about provincial partnerships. Since its launch, Build Canada Homes has moved quickly to initiate housing projects. The Government of Canada has identified public lands that can be converted for housing. We have partnered with local governments to cut red tape and speed up approvals.
In April 2026, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announced an initial partnership to support the construction of about 865 new affordable housing units across the province. The total investment in affordable housing, supportive housing and transitional housing in the province amounts to $200 million. Build Canada Homes is providing approximately $100 million, and Quebec is contributing $100 million.
Supportive and transitional housing is very important for people experiencing domestic violence. Addressing domestic violence is one of the priorities of the Liberal women's caucus. This new housing is a direct result of the memorandum of understanding setting out the principles of collaboration for the rollout of Build Canada Homes in Quebec. Signed in January 2026, this memorandum of understanding will guide future collaboration and ensure the coordinated rollout of Build Canada Homes projects across Quebec. Through their collaboration, the federal and Quebec governments will speed up the approval process and identify additional housing projects. The combined investments will help build more affordable housing in the communities that need it most.
In March 2026, the Government of Canada, through Build Canada Homes, and New Brunswick partnered to build affordable housing. This partnership is accelerating the delivery of up to 1,200 shovel‑ready homes, with the potential to scale to 1,500. At least half of the homes will be for low-income Canadians, and at least 160 will be supportive or transitional housing. Approximately 30% of the homes, representing up to 450 units, will be built in smaller rural communities. I have been a member of the rural caucus for several years, and one of the comments that I often hear is that we must ensure that affordable housing is built in rural communities as well.
In conclusion, developing and strengthening partnerships is vital to building homes for Canadians. By pooling resources and finding innovative solutions with its partners, Build Canada Homes is laying a foundation for sustainable solutions. The Build Canada Homes act will make Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation with its own mandate, governance structure and clear powers. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will have the operational independence, governance and flexibility needed to deliver affordable housing at scale. This legislation will allow Build Canada Homes to operate at arm's length from the government, manage its assets, deploy innovative financial tools and make long-term investment decisions more effectively. That is the true strength of partnership: implementing transformative changes. We are working together to develop a strong, more unified approach to housing across the country.
