House of Commons Hansard #197 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act Report stage of Bill C-282. The bill seeks to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management) by adding a clause that would prevent the Minister of Foreign Affairs from making commitments in trade negotiations that increase tariff rate quotas or reduce tariffs for supply-managed products. Its sponsor, the Bloc Québécois' Luc Thériault, argues it will protect Canada's supply management system from further concessions in future trade agreements. The Liberal government supports the bill, while the Conservatives express concerns that it could hinder broader trade negotiations and negatively impact other agricultural sectors. 7600 words, 1 hour.
Bill S-5—Time Allocation Motion Members debate a Liberal motion to impose time allocation on Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. While Liberals and NDP argue the bill has received extensive study and debate and it's time to act for environmental protection, Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois criticize the government for limiting debate on legislation. 4900 words, 35 minutes.
Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act Report stage of Bill S-5. The bill seeks to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), recognizing a right to a healthy environment for all Canadians and strengthening protections against toxic substances. It aims to improve chemical management, address cumulative effects on vulnerable populations, and enhance transparency. While broadly supported, some members, like the Bloc Québécois, express concerns about the bill's ambition, perceived federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction, and lack of enforceability for the new environmental right. 22700 words, 3 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
First Nations Fiscal Management Act Third reading of Bill C-45. The bill amends the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to expand the services and capacities of First Nations-led financial institutions, and establishes a First Nations Infrastructure Institute. This aims to improve infrastructure outcomes and support First Nations' self-determination and economic reconciliation by allowing them to assert jurisdiction in financial management, taxation, and access to capital markets. Some Conservatives support the bill but argue for further measures to remove federal "gatekeepers," while the NDP supports the bill as a step towards self-determination but notes it does not absolve the government's responsibilities. 5700 words, 45 minutes.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24 Members debate the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's estimates, primarily focusing on the nation's housing crisis. The Conservative Party critiques the Liberal government's policies, arguing they have doubled housing costs, mortgage payments, and rent, and failed to increase supply. They also question the CMHC's performance bonuses. The Liberal government defends its National Housing Strategy, highlighting investments like the Housing Accelerator Fund, programs for first-time homebuyers, and efforts to combat homelessness, while accusing the Conservatives of voting against these measures. The Bloc Québécois and NDP raise concerns about the lack of social housing, financialization of housing, and the urgent needs of vulnerable populations and Indigenous communities. 35300 words, 4 hours.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, it is very perplexing. Conservatives talk about, for example, connecting housing to infrastructure. We have been doing that for two years. They talk about investing in municipalities and removing the obstacles to more supply. That is exactly what the housing accelerator fund will do.
We are very much perplexed by the fact that they keep voting against the measures and investments that are supposed to do what they say are their priorities.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Chair, in their defence, maybe the Conservatives did not know what they were voting on. Would the minister like to comment on whether he thinks that is a possibility?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, it is possible because we launched the housing accelerator fund in the morning, and the leader of the official opposition came up with this plan for more housing supply the same afternoon. However, their copy job was not good enough because it did not even capture the breadth and comprehensiveness of our plan.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with two of my colleagues.
Could the minister tell us what the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment was in Toronto in 2015?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
York South—Weston Ontario
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Mr. Chair, I would really like to understand how building more rentals by investing less money makes sense on that side of the House.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, I just want the number, please. How much was it?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, it is very rich having these types of questions coming from that side, when they believe the federal government should do less on housing, not more.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, it was $1,103. Can the minister tell us what the average rent is now?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, if the Conservatives want to be taken seriously on the issue of rent, they should stop blocking rental supports to Canadians.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, does the minister have a single number from his own estimates?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, it is hard to take the party opposite seriously on rent, when it voted against the Canada housing benefit, which delivers rental supports to Canadians.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, it is more than $2,500. Is he aware that this number is more than double what it was eight years ago?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, what I do know is that the Conservative Party, when in power, did nothing to help Canadian renters. We introduced the Canada housing benefit, which is helping renters.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, is the minister aware that the number is double? I want just a “yes” or “no”.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, it would be interesting to know how the Conservatives plan to build more rentals with less money and less investment in housing.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, the hon. minister can ask all the questions he wants when he is in opposition, but this is not how it works.
Is he aware that $2,526 for an average rental apartment in Toronto is double what it was eight years ago?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, with all due respect, I know how this committee of the whole works. I am pointing out the hypocrisy of not helping Canadian renters and then standing here and talking about rent as if they care.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, does the minister have a single number from his own estimates tonight?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, I would like to know how the Conservatives plan to cut supports for renters and then stand here and pretend to care about renters.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Mr. Chair, I also noticed that you are not giving me the same amount of time as the questioner to answer.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris d'Entremont
Order. I am actually giving the minister more time to answer than the questioner. Just so we know, if the member is taking three seconds, then the minister has three seconds. I am being very generous with the minister by answering that.
The hon. member for Thornhill.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON