Debates of May 26th, 2021

Finance—Main Estimates, 2021-22

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I have a lot of respect for the member opposite, but there is a factual error in his question.

There has been significant emphasis on housing in our government's policies for years and in this budget: $70 billion in the national housing strategy; the rapid housing initiative was a billion, the budget adds $1.5 billion additional dollars; $300 million in the—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, the minister should speak with those on the ground.

This morning, I spoke with Burnaby's mayor, the chair of the Metro Vancouver housing committee. His city has nine shovel-ready sites, six for the national housing co-investment fund and three for the rapid housing initiative, none of which received funding for construction despite Burnaby being the third most unaffordable place to live in our country.

Why did the government ignore this low-hanging fruit? Are the programs simply this ineffective or does it simply have no plan to secure Canada's housing future?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, let me encourage the member opposite to vote for the budget, because there is another $1.5 billion in it for the rapid housing initiative. I agree that it is a great program, and that is why we believe in expanding it.

Just last week, I spoke to the mayors of Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto and Montreal specifically about housing. They told me they love the rapid housing initiative, so let us get the budget bill passed and get them more money for this great program.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, how many units has the national housing strategy built?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, the national housing strategy is an unprecedentedly fast program that has moved more people out of homelessness into housing.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, how many units has the national housing strategy built?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I am going to quote something that Kennedy Stewart said to me, which I found very moving. He said he felt that thanks to the rapid housing initiative, formerly homeless people in Vancouver now have a place to—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, the mayor of Burnaby stated that if the intent of the government is to slow supply, then it should rely on the national housing strategy. Again, how many units has the national housing strategy built? It is a simple question.

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, as I said a moment ago, the national housing strategy will build up to 125,000 affordable units. However, I want to talk about another program that is particularly relevant as we are recovering from the pandemic. That is the $300-million—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, budget 2021 showcases how the government continues to turn a blind eye to money laundering. Why is the government failing to act and deliver on money laundering?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, I am going to quickly finish talking about the $300 million for the rental construction financing initiative. This will convert empty office space that has appeared in our downtowns into affordable housing. It is a great program and a reason to support the budget.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, I will ask the minister for a straight answer. How many units has the national housing strategy built since it was implemented?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, we are hopscotching each other, but I owe the member an answer on money laundering. This budget takes unprecedentedly strong action against tax evasion and aggressive tax—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, when will the minister commit to introducing legislation that amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to implement the much-needed recommendations from reputable academics and commissions from across Canada, particularly in my province?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, on money laundering, let me point to one of the measures that I think is important in the budget: the measure on beneficial ownership. It brings transparency to this area. Many activists in the area of transparency have been directly in touch with me to say—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, when will the new registry be tabled in Parliament?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, the new registry needs, as a first step, all of us to vote for the budget, so let us do that.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Madam Chair, despite several years of assurances by the federal government that it is committed to the creation of an urban indigenous housing strategy, the budget excluded it. Why?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, University—Rosedale, ON]

Madam Chair, the budget makes unprecedented investments in reconciliation with the indigenous people in Canada, with $18 billion over five—

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

I disagree with you.