Madam Speaker, I share my colleagues' concerns with some of the language that is being used by the Conservative leader. I look at Mayor Scott Goodmanson of Langford, Mayor Michelle Staples of Duncan, Mayor Rob Douglas of North Cowichan and Mayor Tim McGonigle of Lake Cowichan. These individuals and their councillors are people whom I value incredibly, and we have a great working relationship.
Another province that is doing great work, of course, is British Columbia, with the BC NDP. Our housing starts right now are 40% higher than they were under the previous government. We are leading the way on tax measures designed to clamp down on speculation, and the province has stepped in to change the zoning laws where some municipalities are not keeping up with the demand.
I am just wondering if my colleague thinks that maybe there are additional measures; maybe we need to look to our past for examples. During and immediately following the Second World War, the federal government stepped in with the creation of a Crown corporation to deal with returning veterans and the influx of workers, who were helping with the war effort, to our cities.
Does he think that such a measure might be beneficial here and now or that it is at least an idea to be considered, given the housing crunch that we are currently facing and the fact that the market has not met the demand?