Madam Speaker, my heart is with those in the member's community who are experiencing homelessness. It is a real tragedy. If we could get unanimous support for the solutions that are offered to build very desperately needed social housing, perhaps we would be able to solve this crisis.
The reality of the rental construction program is that we have a terrible dichotomy between the Liberals, who do not want to do enough, and the Conservatives, who want to get more out of the business by cutting programs that many people rely on. We are stuck in this difficult situation.
We often hear from our constituents that this is an emergency and that we must invest what we can. The rental construction program could have been better. For example, imagine if we required, something the New Democrats fought for, that a portion of rental units had to be below the market rate. There are also additional items that relate to the ownership framework. After 10 years, one could dispose of those assets, transform those assets or transfer those assets to provincial or municipal governments or non-profit agencies.
The solution to the problem with the rental construction program is an acquisition fund. Imagine if we had an acquisition fund of $5 billion that would allow non-profits to buy rental units at a reduced cost because those rental units are subsidized. For example, if Boyle Street Community Services in Edmonton had a chance to buy them, it would—