Human Resources Committee on Feb. 17th, 2023

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Like any board of directors, would the CMHC board of directors have knowledge and information on the operation of those program initiatives at the board level, before they're rolled out?

[Paul Mason]

We do report on the progress and achievement of those initiatives to our board, yes.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

It appears that your board of directors, like all of your employees, have to follow a code of conduct, which CMHC calls the conflict of interest and post-employment policy. Would that be correct?

[Paul Mason]

The only reason I hesitate in answering the question is because it's not really my expertise in terms of the terms of reference and the policies of our board. I believe that is the case.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Does CMHC have any additional policies in place for board members regarding real or perceived conflict of interest in addition to the conflict of interest in post-employment policy of CMHC?

[Paul Mason]

We ensure that there's always separation between our board and any activities that we do on the ground.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

That's good. Thank you.

Many of your board members also serve in leading roles with other housing or housing adjacent organizations or developments. Is that correct?

[Paul Mason]

Our board members come from a variety of industries and organizations.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

This is a yes or no question. Have board members recused themselves from any discussions on implementing or delivering government housing strategies that may have real or perceived conflict of interest based on the housing organization the board member may be involved in?

[Paul Mason]

I am not necessarily part of those proceedings within the board itself. It would be difficult for me to comment specifically on that.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

I do look forward to CMHC tabling all of the funding that has been given out to all organizations as part of the national housing strategy, which was asked for earlier in this meeting. I look forward to going through that.

For example, one of your board members is the CEO of an organization that was allocated funding from CMHC for a housing project in Vancouver. Did this board member recuse herself from any decisions that may have led in any way to this funding?

[Paul Mason]

We ensure that our staff on the ground are not working with our board members when it comes to any applications.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Did that same board member recuse herself from decisions regarding implementation or administration of the rapid housing initiative, where money went to a project by the organization she's the CEO of in Surrey, B.C.? It's a project that garnered media attention and was visited by many Liberal MPs, including the Liberal deputy leader Chrystia Freeland.

[Paul Mason]

I apologize, but I missed the question.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

The question was whether or not the board member would have removed herself during any discussions on the rapid housing initiative that would have been discussed at the board level?

[Paul Mason]

That would be my understanding, yes.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Can you table for this committee the minutes from all CMHC board meetings from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2022?

[Paul Mason]

Yes, I suppose so. I don't think the board minutes are confidential.

I apologize, Mr. Chair. This is a bit out of my area of expertise.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Obviously, Mr. Mason, you would consult on whatever you can do—

[Paul Mason]

I'll consult with our team.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

—and respond to the committee in a format that you are allowed to, based on the legislation governing you.

Thank you, Ms. Gray. Your time has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

We'll now go to Madam Martinez Ferrada for five minutes.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I only have the English words for the acronym. I'm sorry. It's the urban and northern programs around housing. Can you give us an update on how you're doing on that program?

[Paul Mason]

Thank you for the question.

I will ask my colleague Benjamin Williams to answer.

[Benjamin Williams, Director, Indigenous and the North Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation]

Budget 2022 announced $300 million for the development and implementation of an urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy. CMHC will be delivering $18.5 million of that $300 million through indigenous organizations for the engagement consultation process. The launch of that was announced this week.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you for that.

I want to also give you the opportunity to give us an update on what you've learned about the rapid housing rounds one and two and how you are looking forward to round three coming up. I'd just like your thoughts on rapid housing.