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
Soraya Martinez Ferrada Liberal Hochelaga, QC
Madam Chair, this comes back to what I was saying earlier. We need to work on market speculation. Slowing down market speculation will allow for more housing units and homes to be available for Canadians here and not for foreigners who do not live in the country.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Madam Chair, we brought in the one-time top-up to the Canada housing benefit. I would like the parliamentary secretary to talk to us about this top-up.
Who is eligible and how does this top-up help the recipients who are affected by inflation?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, we are proud to have worked with members of Parliament here to introduce the top-up to the Canada housing benefit, which reached 800,000 vulnerable renters. We are proud that we got that into the hands of our Canadian renters.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with two colleagues.
Through you to the minister, what province has the region in Canada where it takes the longest to save for the average down payment to own a home?
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
Madam Chair, we are absolutely committed to making sure that Canadians have access to their dream of home ownership. That is why we introduced the first-time homebuyer incentive. That is why we introduced—
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
NDP
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, the answer is British Columbia.
In 2015, prior to the Liberals coming into office, how many years would it have taken someone in Vancouver to save for the average down payment?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, we have done more than any other government to invest in more affordable housing options for British Columbians.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, the answer is five and a half years.
As of 2022, after the Liberals being in office almost eight years, how many years does it take someone in Vancouver to save for the average down payment?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, if the party opposite had its way, it would not even offer any supports to first-time homebuyers to access their dream of home ownership.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, the answer is 30 years. That is a staggering 500% increase from 2015 to 2022, for someone living in B.C. to save for the average down payment.
With this result after eight years of Liberal policies, does the minister take accountability for this 500% increase in the time it takes people to save for a home in British Columbia?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, we know that Canadians are struggling to find housing that is affordable. That is precisely why we introduced measures to help Canadians access their dream of home ownership, by putting in place policies like the first-time homebuyer incentive.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, no wonder we have a housing crisis when the housing minister takes no accountability for his results in housing. We will move on to something else.
According to a Stats Canada 2022 report, which province ranks as the most unaffordable and has the highest number of renter households in Canada?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, I wish the hon. member was tough on her own caucus, which believes that the federal government should have less leadership on housing and that we should withdraw from the housing sector completely.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, the answer, once again, is British Columbia.
What is the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Kelowna, British Columbia?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, it does not matter because the hon. member believes we should do less on housing. Her party's leader has said that we should—
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
NDP
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, it does matter to the people in Kelowna, British Columbia how much rent is. It is $1,952.
What is the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, the hon. member and her party want to play games instead of dealing with the serious challenges facing Canadians. We are the party that is putting solutions on the table and they vote against those solutions.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, the answer is $2,787.
The housing minister does not know his file. He is not even trying. He is not even asking his officials to hand him sticky notes with answers on them anymore. We will move on to something else.
Does the minister believe that supply is one of the key factors for getting the housing crisis in B.C. under control?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, we are the ones who delivered for British Columbians through the Canada–British Columbia housing benefit, which is now helping tens of thousands of British Columbian households get money directly to help them with rent. What did the hon. member and her party do? They voted against those supports. She can quote all the numbers she likes, but when it came time for action, they did not—
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
NDP
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, these are actual results. According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association, how are housing starts forecasted for 2023 compared to the previous year?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Madam Chair, the hon. member's logic is to do less on housing but somehow produce more housing. How does that make sense?
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Chair, they are on track to be down 18.6%.
With housing starts down, does the minister believe this will help housing availability and affordability in British Columbia?
