My expectation is that we will move that investment as quickly as possible. As soon as we can find partners and proponents that are ready to build transitional, supportive housing, we will be investing.

We need to move fast on this. Winter is hitting across Canada. We need to be building, as soon as possible, the supportive housing that will help alleviate the homelessness challenge. A top priority for me will be to advance this as quickly as possible.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Mrs. Gill, you have the floor for six minutes.

3:50 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for appearing before our committee today.

You know that the housing issue is generating a lot of interest and hope among the entire population.

My question concerns the size of the projects.

Of course, the Build Canada Homes program is generating hope. However, a lot of stakeholders, including mayors, are asking us if smaller municipalities will benefit from it too. For example, we’ve sometimes seen massive housing construction projects get built in Longueuil or other places, while the construction of 20, 30, or 40 units in some communities goes nowhere.

Will these communities also gain benefit from it? Right now, they don’t see how that's possible.

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

Thank you for your question.

We want to be investing in communities of all shapes and sizes through Build Canada Homes.

Initially, I think what mayors and others saw in our “Market Sounding Guide” in August was that we were testing 300 homes and up for portfolios of projects at that scale or larger. We heard back from Canadians across the country that we need smaller projects. Smaller communities can build smaller projects that will have a very big impact in their community, so we have adjusted. There is no limit. There's no floor to the scale of projects.

What we are seeing from some of the proposals coming in are provinces.... In the case of New Brunswick, I met with the housing minister last week, and they're bundling a number of small projects with communities. Some of them are four homes in a building, and some are larger, obviously, but they are bundling and bringing a whole proposal forward as a portfolio, which will be easier to administer.

3:50 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

We hope this will be possible for smaller projects.

I didn’t want to interrupt you, Minister, but I really must move on quickly. I have very little time, and I often have several questions to ask. I’ll also be sending you other questions that you can answer in writing from your office.

I'll continue. I have concerns about construction costs as well. I don’t know how you might provide a response on that.

Earlier, you mentioned construction timelines, saying that the seasons are not exactly the same across Canada, particularly in Quebec. I was wondering about prices because construction costs differ from place to place. For example, I’m from a riding where construction costs are 30% higher, which also concerns residents. They figure that they'll get fewer units for the same money.

What’s your solution to this potential situation, to ensure fairness for all Quebeckers?

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

Thank you for your question.

It is a bigger challenge for remote communities and in the north, where the transportation costs to build housing and the shortage of workers in many communities mean that we have to move a lot of materials and tradespeople into those communities to build, which is a much higher cost.

3:55 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

With respect, Minister, I’m obviously aware of the additional costs. However, what's your department's response to this situation?

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

We're looking at every proposal on its merits. What is very important for proposals is that there are strong partnerships between the local governments and indigenous communities, but also private sector builders—I think, in most cases, these will be built by the private sector—and non-profit operators. It's important that these partnerships are strong in making the case for a project, but Build Canada Homes will be recognizing that it will be more expensive per home in remote communities. That doesn't slow us down. We need to build in remote communities and make sure we see success.

3:55 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

Thank you.

I have one last question. I was only able to ask three in six minutes.

Gabriel Ste‑Marie, the Bloc Québécois housing critic, had a question for you concerning a project in des Laurentides RCM. By the way, he sends his regards.

One social trust mounted an innovative project that won the 2025 municipal Merit Ovation award of the Union des municipalités du Québec, or UMQ. Des Laurentides RCM includes 20 cities and municipalities. The project is the first of its kind. The social trust in question addresses the needs of students and workers. It's ready to move the project forward, but it's been waiting to hear back from your department since October 5, I believe. The organization was wondering what's happening with this file.

Neither the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC, Build Canada Homes or your team have contacted the organization. The request was submitted two months ago. The organization is wondering if it’s eligible for this funding.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

I would be happy to see the project details. The Build Canada Homes portal just opened earlier this week, so it's now taking projects and proposals through the website portal. Build Canada Homes is launched and the portal is now open.

I'd encourage them to put a proposal in to the portal there, but also, if you can send something to me directly, that would be fantastic, and we'll make sure—

3:55 p.m.

Bloc

Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC

Of course. We can follow up on the file. I think the organization already sent a request to inquire whether it met the program’s criteria.

Thank you very much, Minister.

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, Mrs. Gill.

We go now to the next five-minute round, and I have Mr. Ho.

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

Thank you, Chair.

Minister, your department, back in October, spent about $97,000 on a getaway to get some inspiration on the homelessness crisis. We know the homelessness crisis is a crisis. You just admitted that in your testimony.

Were you aware of this conference?

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

Yes, I did speak at that conference in Montreal. It was the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness's summit, which is the largest gathering of people working on homelessness.

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

Do you think that was a good use of money?

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC

Mr. Chair, I have a point of order. That's not the topic of this meeting. I don't see what….

3:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Mr. Ho, start again from the beginning.

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

Back in October, officials from your department spent $97,000 on a getaway to a conference to get inspiration on the homelessness crisis. You just admitted in your earlier testimony that it's a crisis, and, of course, it's a crisis caused by this Liberal government. Were you aware of this $97,000 being spent on this conference?

4 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

I attended the conference and spoke at the conference, and I met with a number of Government of Canada staff who were at the conference, which is the most significant homelessness conference.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

[Inaudible—Editor] $97,000. I'm going to read the purpose of it.

According to the documents we have, the purpose of this conference is to “[arm] policy makers, funders, researchers, advocates, community leaders and front line workers with the inspiration”. Do you think that's a good use of money?

4 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

I think it's the most important homelessness conference in the country. That's consistent with the funding that's been allocated in previous years to make sure that the Government of Canada is present and represented, so that the programs that we provide can be communicated.

4 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

After that conference, do you feel inspired? The purpose was to get inspiration. Do you feel inspired?

4 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

I think the purpose was education. It was also, for a number of our programs, to be able to meet with all of the local proponents and all the organizations that work on homelessness, so they're able to connect to our employees.