Human Resources Committee on Feb. 17th, 2023

[Simon Lahoud]

The numbers that my colleague here had cited earlier are not spoken for. There is roughly $2.5 billion in low-cost loans still available, as well as about $150 million of contributions not yet spoken for.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you.

So for the information on one of the projects that is pretty much shovel ready, when we're told that it has been depleted, it is wrong information—all right. That's good to know.

The PBO issued a report yesterday to say that the government is not accounting for inflation with its programs. Does CMHC anticipate that projects will not become viable with the $25,000 per unit cap?

[Paul Mason]

We are still receiving applications with the $25,000 cap that are viable, so we are still processing applications even with that cap. Again, the intent of the cap is intended to—

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Thank you.

How many of the projects have withdrawn? Have any proponents or applicants withdrawn their application with the $25,000 cap?

[Paul Mason]

We'll get back to you with that information.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

If we could get a breakdown with that information—if they have withdrawn, where they are and the units that are being proposed—that would be helpful.

I'd like to turn to the federal lands initiative. In 2021-22, $50 million was committed to that initiative, but only $5.5 million has been disbursed. That's 11%.

On the government's website, which I checked yesterday, it says there are no lands available. This is specifically dedicated to indigenous community projects.

Why is there such a slow rollout of this? Why does the website say that there's no land available?

[Paul Mason]

There are two parts to that question. The federal lands initiative is a $200-million program over 10 years, and we've committed approximately half of that money to date. We work with other federal departments and Canada Lands to look for viable federal lands that can be made available for this program. As they become available, we post them on our website and housing providers can apply for those particular projects.

As plans are made available, we post them, and then they're offered for competition.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Ms. Kwan, your time is up.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Can I ask if we can get the list of a breakdown of the projects?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Could you provide the list, Mr. Mason?

[Paul Mason]

Excuse me. For clarification, Mr. Chair, it's the list of....

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Federal lands initiative projects, where they are and the breakdown.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Ms. Kwan and Mr. Mason.

Madame Falk, you have five minutes, please.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

A document entitled “Annex C” that was provided to our committee following CMHC's appearance on December 5 indicates that a total of 627 applications were started for various program streams, but not completed.

Does CMHC track why these applications were not completed?

[Paul Mason]

As applications come in, we assess and seek feedback from our clients, especially when those drop off. When we talk about surveying our clients, we also survey those who are unsuccessful in our applications.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

How many of those applications were not completed because the process was overly cumbersome?

[Paul Mason]

I don't have that exact breakdown. What I can tell you is that projects and applications are abandoned for a whole host of reasons. It could be changing circumstances on behalf of the proponent. It could be difficulty—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Are you able to table that information with this committee?

[Paul Mason]

We can certainly table the list of applications that were withdrawn. We don't always know the reason they're withdrawn. We will endeavour to provide as much of that information as we can.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Not knowing the reason...is that because those applying don't reveal that, or CMHC doesn't ask them?

[Paul Mason]

It could be that the proponent does not let us know the specifics of the application and why it's been withdrawn.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Okay.

Has CMHC identified parts of the application process that can be streamlined or simplified?

[Paul Mason]

Yes, there are a number of areas in the application process that we have streamlined, and we have done this consistently over the last several years, to remove elements that are either cumbersome or too complicated for proponents. We've done that a number of times over the last several years, and we constantly look at our processes and ensure that they're robust, but that they're not unnecessary steps.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

The national housing co-investment fund has the highest number of applications that were withdrawn. What reason is there for a higher number of withdrawn applications for this specific program?

[Paul Mason]

I'd like to ask my colleague Mr. Lahoud to answer this question.