Mr. Speaker, I was summarizing my petition. I was almost done.
House of Commons Hansard #87 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was affordable.
House of Commons Hansard #87 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was affordable.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Fisheries Act Second reading of Bill C-237. The bill C-237 seeks to amend the Fisheries Act to harmonize recreational groundfish fishing rules across Atlantic Canada, aiming to extend access for Newfoundland and Labrador fishers. Proponents emphasize fairness and economic benefits. However, critics raise concerns about the lack of consultation, the bill's scientific basis, and potential negative impacts on regional stock management and commercial fisheries. 8800 words, 1 hour.
Build Canada Homes Act Second reading of Bill C-20. The bill establishes Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation to increase Canada's supply of affordable housing and modernize the homebuilding sector. Proponents argue it provides essential tools to accelerate construction and foster partnerships. Critics, primarily Conservatives, contend it would add another arm to the federal government, duplicating existing efforts, and lacks clear targets. The Bloc Québécois supports federal investment but raises concerns about federal interference in Quebec's jurisdictions and the bill's lack of guarantees for social housing. The NDP notes no specific allocation for rent-geared-to-income housing. 42600 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Similarities Between Bill C-2 and Bill C-12 Members debate a point of order regarding Bills C-2 and C-12, discussing whether they are "substantially similar" under parliamentary rules, which would prevent Bill C-2 from proceeding after Bill C-12 passed. 1100 words, 10 minutes.
National Food Assistance ProgramPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, our leaders must ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to live healthy lives. I fully reiterate the petitioners' call on the Liberal government to respect this fact and create a national food assistance program without delay.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, my first petition is in support of the member for Cloverdale—Langley City's private member's bill, Bill C-218, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding medical assistance in dying.
These individuals say that the Government of Canada intends to expand medical assistance in dying to individuals whose only medical condition is a mental illness. The petitioners say mental illness is treatable, recovery is possible and experts agree that it is currently impossible to predict when a mental illness is truly irremediable. They have brought forward other issues as well. All this supports the request that the Government of Canada pass Bill C-218 to stop the expansion of MAID to those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.
Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of petitions that I want to present this morning, and there are so many coming in that I cannot do them one by one. They are all in regard to Bill C-9.
These citizens and residents of Canada draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following issue. Canadians are concerned about the Liberal-Bloc amendments to Bill C-9, which could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and other sacred texts. The state has no place, the petitioners say, in the religious texts or teachings of any faith community. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be preserved. Therefore, the petitioners call on the Liberal Government of Canada to protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government overreach in matters of faith.
Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition on behalf of constituents in Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford who are deeply concerned about the proposed expansion of medical assistance in dying to individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. My constituents fear that expanding MAID in this way risks normalizing suicide as a response to mental illness. They believe instead that Canada should prioritize and strengthen mental health supports for those who are suffering. They therefore call on the government to support Bill C-218 and halt the expansion of MAID to those with a mental illness.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition on behalf of more than 600 of my constituents who signed this petition about the Canada pension plan. They are concerned by amendments that the Liberal government made to the pension plan in 2018. They are worried about the security of their pensions, especially those with disabilities. The news that the Liberal government may be dipping into the Canada pension plan to pay for some of its overspending is a concern to my constituents. I would table this petition on behalf of the residents of Foothills.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition on behalf of residents from Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Alberni and the Oceanside region in my riding of Courtenay—Alberni who are deeply concerned about the shortage of community recreation facilities in our region and across Canada.
Petitioners stress that recreation centres are vital spaces for people of all ages to gather, stay healthy and build strong communities. They note that recreation promotes physical and mental health, supports rehabilitation, reduces antisocial behaviours and lowers long-term health and social costs. Facilities also help retain families, seniors and youth in rural areas while driving economic and volunteer activity. These petitioners point out that the federal government has previously partnered with British Columbia through the investing in Canada infrastructure program's community, culture and recreation infrastructure stream and call for its renewal and expansion.
Petitioners urge the federal government to ensure rural and coastal communities have equitable access to the recreation infrastructure needed for a healthy and sustainable community and country.
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to present a petition today on behalf of Canadians from across the country who are concerned about human rights protections in India. The petitioners are stating that according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, various actors are supporting and enforcing sectarian policies to establish India as a Hindu state, and they are concerned about the treatment of Christians in India. They are concerned about the targeting of churches, attacks on church workers and the threatening and humiliation of congregations. Petitioners are also concerned about the crimes against the Dalit groups, including Dalit women and girls. They say that crimes are increasing in that respect. They are also concerned about the treatment of Indian Muslims and say that they are at risk of genocide, assault and sexual violence.
The petitioners are asking the government to ensure that all trade deals with India are premised on mandatory human rights provisions, that extremists are sanctioned and that the government promotes a respectful human rights dialogue between Canada and India.
Tom Osborne Liberal Cape Spear, NL
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting petition e-6492 on behalf of the over 1,000 Canadians who have signed the petition. They are asking that we ensure Canadians suffering from pancreatic cancer, especially those in smaller provinces, get the care they need. The petition was first authorized by my predecessor, Seamus O'Regan, but fell short by about 100 signatures. The focus of the petition is to ensure equity across provinces, access to molecular testing and clinical trials, and the creation of a national guideline for pancreatic cancer.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time, please.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
[For text of questions and responses, see Written Questions website]
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-20, An Act respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Jonathan Rowe Conservative Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL
Mr. Speaker, imagine taking the GST off of all new homes under $1.3 million. That would instantly save 5%. With a 5% savings, that would have encouraged thousands of Canadians right across the country to build new homes. By partnering with Canadians, we could have stretched our dollar by 95%, by having that 5% incentive.
Instead of letting Canadians keep their own money, the Liberals keep taxing things like housing, things they often call a human right. They then give that money to corporations and landlords to build homes, not for young people to actually own but for them to rent. Own nothing and be happy: that is the slogan of the Liberals' plan for their new world order. Young people do not want to rent for their whole lives. They want to own a home, a place where they can paint their kids' bedroom, a place that gives them pride and hope for the future, a place where they can build a fence for their dog.
Housing is not just about shelter. It is about economic stability. It is about mental health. It is about whether young people can make a wooden box a home. In my province, we face the highest unemployment rate in the country. We add that to rising rents and rising prices and limited supply, and young people are being forced to make unfavourable choices. Some are staying with their parents. Some are even staying with their grandparents. These are young men and women, oftentimes older than myself, working full time, yet they still have to face these unfavourable choices.
Unfortunately, we are seeing even greater consequences of the lost Liberal decade. Homelessness, once unthinkable at this scale, especially in my province, is now a reality in communities right across my province and the whole country. Over the summer, I was able to have a tour of a Salvation Army homeless shelter in St. John's. I began to ask the workers at the facility what had led to people being there.
I remember one young lady looked at me and said that all those men had just hit their breaking point. The shelter sees these kinds of surges when the economy goes bad. They lose their jobs and that causes stress. They oftentimes lose their wives and their family because of that stress, and they end up there. Her statement stuck with me because of the simple fact that what we do here in Ottawa does not just affect our economy; it affects real people. It does not just affect housing stats and unemployment. It affects real people, real Canadians, people who are hurting and looking for hope.
How long will these Liberals keep hiding in their haunted house of smoke and mirrors before they admit that more bureaucracy will not build a single home? Canadians do not need another illusion. They need a real home.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, there is great contrast on this particular issue. On the one hand, we have a government that understands that the federal government has to play an important role in housing, by working with municipalities and provinces. That will, in fact, make a difference.
Contrast that to the Conservatives and their whole theme, which is to get out of the way, just like their leader. When he was the minister responsible, years ago, for housing, he built less than six houses. I still do not know where they are.
I wonder if the member would not recognize that the federal government does and can have a role to play, which we are playing, as the legislation clearly shows.
Will they vote for the legislation? If they are going to vote against it, will they allow it to at least go to committee?
Jonathan Rowe Conservative Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL
Mr. Speaker, having a housing crisis and having Canadians forcing Liberals to step in to try to do something does not show success. It shows failure. The Conservatives have never had to build more than six homes because we were out of the way, and private industry was building homes.
In 2017, the Liberals launched a strategy, an agency. Nothing got built, and problems got worse. The more they do, and the evidence shows this, the more problems we have. They should just get out of the way. That is it.
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, when the federal government, and especially this Liberal government, sticks its nose into something that is working relatively well, usually something managed by municipalities in Quebec and in the provinces or by the provincial governments or the Quebec government, it always creates a terrible disaster involving mismanagement, cost overruns and money not getting where it needs to go.
Creating the giant beast that is Build Canada Homes may have been a great idea with the best intentions, but the fact is that mechanisms are already in place. Experts are already on the ground. The municipalities know better than anyone the needs they are facing.
Does my colleague not think that the federal government and the Liberals should get out of the way and simply transfer the money to Quebec and the provinces so that the programs can be implemented quickly?
Jonathan Rowe Conservative Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL
Mr. Speaker, I do not know if I have ever agreed with the Bloc as much as I do now.
One hundred per cent, the federal government needs to step out of the way and let people on the ground, the people who build homes and communities, do the work. Let them build the homes they want to build. The federal government needs to just get out of the way, get policies in place or get policies removed so that they can build homes.
Scott Aitchison Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if my colleague could comment a little more on the notion of building bureaucracy.
There are now four federal housing agencies. Build Canada Homes is the third federal Crown corporation focused on housing. I wonder if the member might be able to predict how many Crown corporations it will take to build a home.
Jonathan Rowe Conservative Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals lost my seat by 12 votes, so maybe 12 will do the trick and get it done.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, nowhere in the world has the free market solved an affordable housing crisis.
Let us look at the Netherlands, with 34% non-market housing; Denmark, 21%; Britain, 16%; and France, 17%. Here in Canada, we are now at 3.4% non-market housing. Nothing in this bill sets targets on non-market housing. My colleague had a good idea around removing the GST on housing. Instead, why do we not take that GST, invest it back into the communities where homes were sold and use it for building non-market housing?
We know we need a mix of market and non-market housing. They go hand in hand. Do the Conservatives support any form of non-market housing? Do they understand its critical importance for the most vulnerable, for people who are trying to make ends meet, especially housing that is geared to income?
Jonathan Rowe Conservative Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's dedication to thinking outside the box. We definitely need to try something new rather than just repackaging the same bureaucracy.
However, what the Conservatives are very adamant on is creating policies that everyone across this country can benefit from. Removing the GST would not pick winners and losers. Anybody could go out, build a new home and benefit from that. It would be incentivizing everybody.
Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to Bill C-20, a bill from the Liberal government to establish yet another federal Crown corporation, called Build Canada Homes, which would apparently finally find the solution to the economic woes in our housing sector that have stubbornly evaded solutions provided by existing federal bureaucracies. The stated purpose of Build Canada Homes is to “promote, support and develop the supply of affordable housing in Canada and to promote innovative and efficient building techniques in the housing construction sector in Canada”. I know that sounds optimistic. Let us test that claim, that aspirational statement, against reality.
For 10 years, we have had a Liberal government that thinks it is smarter than the free market. We hear it again today, that the government has all the solutions to all the problems and that with enough central planning, it can make the market behave the way it thinks it should behave. In my years in Parliament, I have observed time and again that the Liberal government's politics are performative in nature. It wants to appear to be doing something about whatever the problem is that is being debated that day. If major projects are being held up because of federal bureaucracy, well, let it create a major projects office. If military procurement is a mess, let it set up a commission to look at why all the other commissions have not been doing their job. Now, in a situation of housing unaffordability and new houses not being built to keep up with demand, we have a new bureaucracy for that too: a new Crown corporation, in fact. Build Canada Homes, it will be called.
Here is what Canadians will get out of this new corporation. First of all, it will create its own bureaucracy, a board of directors comprising eight to 10 people, a chairperson, a full-time CEO, all of whom will be on the federal payroll. Secondly, it will get into the business of building affordable homes, apparently. It is good timing, I say somewhat facetiously, just as the B.C. government is getting out of that line of business. The headline in the Vancouver Sun over the weekend, screaming on the front page, is “'A massive step back' for housing”, while David Eby is grappling with a stunning $13.8-billion operating deficit just three years after he inherited a surplus of $5 billion from the previous government. Another headline on the same topic reads, “Loss of provincial fund upends many affordable rental projects”. People are up in arms about this. They want to know what is going on. The provincial government has made all these promises, and now it is abandoning ship because it does not have the money to do it.
Thirdly, this new, highly paid bureaucracy will analyze what is wrong with the current state of affairs in the housing sector and advise government as to what to do, how to tweak things. One of the first reports coming out of this agency, this Crown corporation, no doubt, will analyze the current housing market in Canada and why it is in such a state of imbalance, despite the existence of federal government bureaucracies and best intentions that were supposed to make things better. This is the fourth bureaucracy, now. We already have the Canada Lands Company. We have the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. We have Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. I would just point this out: If creating bureaucracies could solve the problem, we would not have a problem.
Let us take a look at the track record of the current bureaucracies. According to CMHC's own recent housing market outlook for 2026, housing starts are heading in the wrong direction, despite all the announcements from the Liberals, below the target necessary to restore housing affordability. A quote from the report sums it up very nicely. It says, “New home construction is set to decline through 2028 as developers face high costs, weaker demand and more unsold homes.” Can members imagine this, in an economy where there are not enough homes? This is especially true in B.C, where, the report predicts, “Housing starts will continue to slow down in 2026, with a more significant decline...in 2027-2028.” We are headed in the wrong direction.
The Canadian Home Builders' Association had this to say in its Q4 report from last year: “Setting new record lows in builder sentiment was the unfortunate theme for the [housing market index] in 2025.” Builders are losing faith in their ability to build homes in the current sector, the environment that the Liberals have created. Ontario and British Columbia unfortunately will “lead the way in terms of broad pessimism among single- and multi-family builders.”
Yes, it is pessimistic. People want to buy or rent homes but lack the financial resources to buy. Builders are being pessimistic about their ability to meet the demand in face of high costs that drive sale prices beyond what the market can bear. There is a serious imbalance in our economy, in other words.
As I was preparing my notes, I thought of the famous economist Friedrich Hayek, the free-market economist who spoke about this in his famous 1945 essay, “The Use of Knowledge in Society”. I will paraphrase it. I just want to highlight that Friedrich Hayek was of the classical liberal tradition of economics, the tradition that the Liberal Party of Canada used to follow until it abandoned all that and Liberals became central planning socialists. That is what they are today.
I will go back to Friedrich Hayek, who had this to say: “The beauty of the market lies in its ability to coordinate actions without requiring omniscience.” He also said, “The fatal flaw of central planning is the assumption that someone knows enough to direct the use of resources efficiently.” Here is another quote, a third from Professor Hayek: “No single mind can comprehend the complexity of modern economic activity—only a decentralized process can manage it.”
The Liberals do not believe that. They used to believe it, but they do not believe it anymore. They have now abandoned classical liberal tradition to adopt central planning socialism. Today they think they are the omniscience, the single mind that can comprehend the complexity of modern economic activity.
That is all we need to know to understand why the Liberals are always so optimistic that their next government central planning agency is finally going to solve the problem. If it does not, then the next one will, and the next one after that. They are always optimistic and always dreaming, always with wishful thinking. If Liberal wishful thinking would build homes, Canada would have the most affordable, the most successful and the most balanced housing market in the world, but that is unfortunately not the case.
People who expect that the bill would actually accelerate affordable housing construction in Canada will be disappointed. The bill is simply about setting up a new bureaucracy to keep an eye on the existing bureaucracies that have failed time and time again to solve our housing affordability crisis and our housing availability crisis. Young people particularly are paying the price for all this mismanagement.
In closing, here is some free advice for the Liberals from the free-market Conservatives. We continue to adopt and follow free-market economics because that is the solution to our economic goals: Just get out of the way. What the Liberals have been doing for the last 10 years has not been working, and the newly repackaged commission, the newly repackaged and restructured bureaucracy, would not solve the problem either. We wish the Liberals would just get out of the way and let smart Canadians build homes to meet market demand.
