Human Resources Committee on June 13th, 2024

[Véronique Laflamme]

Given their design, the strategy's federal programs so far haven't helped to fund mainly housing, especially co‑operative and non‑profit housing. Unlike in the past, these programs haven't been self‑supporting or self‑sufficient. Self‑sufficiency involves a government contribution on top of the mortgage paid by tenants, for example, and a municipal contribution. This is a typical example of a former Quebec program. This helps to round out the funding.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Ms. Laflamme.

Thank you, Mr. Van Bynen.

The committee has resources to conclude with two and a half minutes each for Madame Chabot and Monsieur Boulerice.

Is there agreement?

Madame Chabot, you have two and a half minutes.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, Ms. Laflamme, for your contribution.

The FRAPRU held an important conference that ended on June 9. I'm sure that it was energizing. As you said, we're making progress, even though it may not be fast enough. Changes are still taking place as a result of the contribution of social groups such as yours. You made the following statement: “The crisis will continue unless measures are taken to curb the growing unaffordability and increase the supply of housing at the same time.”

What concrete steps could we take to act quickly enough?

[Véronique Laflamme]

The federal government has no authority to enforce mandatory rent control, which falls under provincial jurisdiction. We believe that, to curb the unaffordability of housing, the federal government must heavily invest in the non‑profit sector and ensure that funding from its new federal housing plan aligns with its goals.

The many billions on the table obviously must be invested in the non‑profit sector. Loans, subsidies and public lands must be prioritized for this sector. Groups that can't knock on various doors must be given the chance to access these units quickly through at least one simple stand‑alone program.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Now we have Mr. Boulerice to conclude.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you.

Ms. Laflamme, I won't take you by surprise. I put the same question earlier to Ms. Houle, the federal housing advocate.

Quebec Premier Legault recently said that temporary immigrants were fully responsible for the housing crisis.

Do you share this view?

[Véronique Laflamme]

Given what we just discussed today, my answer is no.

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Thank you. That clears things up.

I'll stay on the topic of federal lands. When the most recent budget was released, the New Democratic Party strongly advocated for the use of the Department of National Defence and Canada Post lands or other offices that could be converted into social and truly affordable housing.

Do you think that the federal government should move forward and that it can do so on its own and take these types of initiatives with its lands?

[Véronique Laflamme]

Yes.

Canada's housing plan showed the federal government's willingness to work with other levels of government. The municipalities and provinces can also play a role in using their own surplus public lands to build social housing. However, the federal government can and must take the lead when it comes to its own lands.

There are already a few examples of federal public lands in Montreal and Longueuil, including a huge piece of land in Montreal called Bridge‑Bonaventure owned in part by the Canada Lands Company. The community is heavily involved and the federal government has a clear plan that could be a game‑changer for the type of development that will take place.

In our opinion, given the current scarcity and high cost of land resources, the federal government's use of land could provide a major boost in a number of areas.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Ms. Laflamme.

That concludes the questioning.

We need one quick direction from the committee. We have two draft press releases, which you have. One is on the intergenerational volunteerism report that will be tabled next week. The other is announcing the Centennial Flame Research Award. Is the committee agreeable to those two press releases being released?

[Some hon members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

I see no disapproval on that, Madam Clerk, so we can proceed with the releases on those two reports.

Thank you to the witnesses for appearing today on this very important study. Thank you for your testimony.

With that, is it the will of the committee to adjourn?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

The meeting is adjourned.