Debates of April 22nd, 2026

Living Donor Recognition Medal Act

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C‑234, which seeks to create a living donor recognition medal.

I want to start by calling attention to my colleague from Edmonton Manning, who donated part of his liver to his son. An act of such profound compassion commands respect. For a living person to donate an organ is a big deal. It is rare, demanding and most of all, it can change a life.

The Bloc Québécois will vote for this bill. However, certain things need to be put into perspective. Long before this bill came along, Quebec had already taken the lead in organ donations and transplants. The first kidney transplant in Canada was performed in Montreal way back in 1958. In 1968, the country's first heart transplant was also performed in Montreal. Quebec is therefore a pioneer in the field and continues to play an important role to this day.

This role does not only involve medical advances. It is also about collective choices, a desire to organize its society and establish strong institutions. Take, for example, Transplant Québec. This organization was born out of a very real need. As transplants became more common, there was a need to improve the coordination of organ donation, removal and allocation. The work was done over time. It was built up. It was structured. Today, Transplant Québec plays a key role in coordinating organ donation and managing the wait list. That is an essential role. This is diligent work, carried out with compassion and with expertise developed here at home. In other words, Quebec did not just innovate. It built a successful model.

That is why the Bloc Québécois finds it unfortunate that the bill fails to mention Quebec's contribution in this regard. We can support a measure of recognition like this one, while remembering one simple thing: Donations can now be made within an organized framework because a system was built patiently over the years.

We must not lose sight of what is important. Behind all this, there are still people who are waiting for transplants. There are families living in uncertainty, and very often, difficult decisions are made in extremely trying times.

Organ donation is not just a medical issue. It is a matter of trust, support and organization. Indeed, a medal is a fine token of recognition. It is perfectly legitimate to want to highlight such exceptional acts. However, it is important to look at the bigger picture. We need to recognize the work of all those who make this possible on a daily basis: medical teams, coordinators and organizations. I am thinking of Transplant Québec, Héma‑Québec, Canadian Blood Services and all those who often work far from the spotlight but whose role is essential. They are the ones who make it possible to save lives. That is why it will be important to hear from these organizations in committee to ensure that this initiative reflects the reality on the ground and supports what already exists.

Ultimately, the question is simple. Do we want to recognize the gesture or do we want to encourage more people to participate?

The Bloc Québécois will support this bill, but we want to remind the House of the following: Recognizing donors is important. Recognizing the role of Quebec and its institutions is also important. Ensuring that more donations are made and more lives are saved is even more important. Let us not forget that this can happen to anyone and any family.

On a more personal note, I have signed my organ donor card. I urge my colleagues to do the same. It is a simple gesture, but it can save a life.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in support of Bill C-234, introduced by my colleague and friend from Edmonton Manning. This is a bill I often speak about when I am home in Long Range Mountains and I am asked to share about my work in Ottawa, not only because it concerns heroic Canadians, but also because it demonstrates what can be achieved when members work collaboratively for the benefit of remarkable Canadians we have the honour of representing, individuals who make tremendous sacrifices for others.

It highlights Canadians who make an extraordinary decision to give a part of themselves so that someone else can live. It also brings awareness about the importance of living organ donation.

Today, I would like to begin with a story about two of these incredible Canadians that begins with a close family friend, Robin.

Robin's journey began when he was in his twenties. He was diagnosed with diabetes and, years later, learned that his kidneys were beginning to fail. Robin's illness was severe. For as long as I knew him, he spent much of his life unwell before eventually passing away. However, what always stood out to me was that, despite his illness, he remained the funniest person I knew. He never focused on his illness but instead lived his life to the fullest.

When our families would visit, we would all be crowded around him, waiting for the next funny story he would tell us. We hung on to his every word. He loved to laugh. In addition to his remarkable sense of humour, during his journey, like many Canadians with complex health challenges, he did not stop. He always kept going. He pushed through fatigue. He continued running the family business and focused on providing for his family.

Over time, it became clear he would need dialysis. For a year, Robin travelled back and forth to the hospital for treatment. Anyone who has experienced or witnessed dialysis knows how demanding it is physically, emotionally and mentally. It was during that time that his brother Dan stepped forward. Dan went through testing, hoping he might be a match, and he was. Without hesitation, he made the decision to donate one of his kidneys to his brother. That decision changed Robin's life but, as we know, transplantation is not without risk.

After a few months, the transplanted kidney began to fail. It was not rejection, something many are familiar with, but instead the reactivation of a virus that had been dormant. Within less than a year, the transplant had failed entirely. Robin was forced to return to dialysis, this time at home, using a hemodialysis unit.

His story does not end there. Seven years later, another person stepped forward, his sister, Mollie. Like her brother before her, Mollie went through testing. Like Dan, she made the decision to give a part of herself so that her brother could live a fuller, healthier life.

Both Dan and Mollie put their lives on hold: Their work, their routines and their responsibilities all took a back seat. They underwent major surgery and accepted real risks. They faced recovery periods that were not easy and yet they never described what they did as a sacrifice. They saw it as an act of love for their brother.

That is what living organ donation is. It is selflessness in its purest form, choosing to put someone else's life ahead of one's own comfort.

Thanks to his sister's donation, Robin was given a new lease on life. He was able to travel and spend time camping with his grandchildren. He was able to enjoy the moments that matter most, moments that might not have been possible otherwise. He remained deeply grateful, and his family remains deeply grateful, not just for the outcome but for the generosity that made it possible. The transplant gave Robin years of his life without dialysis, and that meant a much fuller life.

Robin's story is powerful but, unfortunately, it is not unique. Across Canada, there are thousands of similar stories of families, friends and even strangers stepping forward to give the gift of life, and yet, despite the profound impact of these acts, we do not have a formal national way to recognize living donors.

That is what Bill C-234 seeks to change. It proposes the creation of a living donor recognition medal to be included within Canada's honours system. It is not about reward, but about raising awareness and acknowledgement, saying in a meaningful and lasting way that what these individuals have done matters not just to the recipients, but to all of us as parliamentarians and Canadians. When someone steps forward as a living donor, they are not only saving a life, but also strengthening families, supporting communities and easing the burden on our health care system. They are quite simply giving a gift that cannot be measured.

Next week is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week in Canada, a time to reflect on the importance of donation, to have conversations with loved ones and to consider how each one of us can make a difference. It is also a time to recognize those who already have.

Bill C-234 allows us to do that tangibly. It allows us as parliamentarians to come together and affirm something important, that acts of extraordinary generosity should not go unnoticed. It would be deeply meaningful to the Canadians who give so much of themselves to be recognized by the country they have helped strengthen.

Robin's story and the actions of his brother Dan and his sister Mollie remind us of what is possible when compassion leads the way. This bill is about honouring that compassion, ensuring that stories like theirs are not only told but remembered, and encouraging more Canadians to consider how they too might one day give the gift of life.

I am proud to support this bill and have this opportunity.

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of Bill C‑234, the living donor recognition medal act. This bill recognizes the courage, generosity and profound humanity of Canadians who choose to donate an organ during their lifetime. It is truly the gift of life.

I would like to begin by thanking the member for Edmonton Manning for his bill. Among other things, it is an important example of MPs working together across party lines. It shows that, when we set partisanship aside, we can work together to honour the best of Canada. I was particularly touched by this bill on a personal level. It reminds us that behind every donation lies a human story; a decision marked by courage, altruism and a deep commitment to others.

Every year, thousands of Canadians who are dealing with a potentially life-threatening illness are waiting for an organ transplant. Too many of them will not get one in time. The preamble of Bill C‑234 clearly describes this reality. It says that “thousands of Canadians are currently awaiting life-saving organ transplants” and that living donors make these transplants possible.

Organ and tissue donation is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. It is not compelled, does not offer material reward and often carries medical risk. Living donors step forward not for recognition, not for reward, but because they believe in the value of another human life. As the bill notes, they often do so at personal risk and with no expectation of reward. Their actions save lives and strengthen our communities by reminding us of the compassion and solidarity that define Canada at its best.

These are not small virtues, but the very qualities that strengthen our social fabric. When a Canadian chooses to donate an organ, they are saving a life. They are also helping families stay whole. They remind us and communities across the country of what is possible when people act with extraordinary kindness. Their actions really inspire us. They set an example for all of us in this House and for all Canadians.

Canadians are rightly proud of those who perform these acts of extraordinary generosity. To better demonstrate this pride, Bill C-234 proposes a formal mechanism, a national honour, to ensure their contributions are publicly recognized and celebrated.

This is a thoughtful and meaningful initiative. I want to thank the sponsor for bringing forward a bill that shines a light on the silent heroes among us.

Medals play an important role in our society. They are not merely symbolic objects. They represent incredible stories, sacrifices and contributions. They unite people by creating a shared sense of recognition and pride. They also shine a spotlight on actions that often take place in the shadows. By publicly honouring these contributions, they promote a sense of collective belonging. They inspire other Canadians to get involved, showing that every action, no matter how humble, can have a profound and lasting impact.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was worn with pride by many Canadians. I even received a King Charles III Coronation Medal. It served not only as a recognition of service but also as a unifying symbol, bringing together individuals from different regions, backgrounds and professions under a shared sense of national appreciation.

These honours create a shared moment of pride, not just for recipients but also for their families, their communities and the country as a whole. They reinforce a collective identity grounded in generosity, service and compassion, and they remind us that acts of selflessness are not only worthy of recognition but are also foundational to who we are as a society.

I support the objectives of this bill, and I am pleased with the amendments that were drafted in collaboration with the bill's sponsor and adopted by the Standing Committee on Health.

The bill uses a very broad definition of “organ”. This definition explicitly includes all human tissue and encourages us to think more broadly about the spectrum of donation in Canada. Today, living donors provide not only organs, but also blood and bone marrow. That is why I am pleased that this committee review has also expanded the pool of eligible recipients for this medal to include bone marrow donors as well as blood donors who have demonstrated a significant and long-standing commitment to blood donation.

Consider bone marrow donation for a Canadian diagnosed with leukemia or other blood cancer. I must give a shout-out to my old best friend from undergrad, who passed away from leukemia at the young age of 25 and should have been in the House of Commons. We were studying political science together. This speech goes out to Damon Hartung and to all other victims of leukemia. Finding a match is often extraordinarily difficult. Canadians who step forward are volunteering to help a stranger survive. Those donors also give the gift of life, yet awareness remains very low. Many Canadians do not realize how pressing the need for bone marrow donors truly is, nor do they realize how straightforward the process of registering as a potential donor can be.

Similarly, blood donation, especially regular, repeat donation, is essential to the health of Canadians. We think of the Canadian Blood Services, which recognizes the selfless act of donation through the donor recognition medal, which is offered upon request and highlights the generosity and sacrifice of donors while also creating an opportunity to celebrate life-saving contributions. The Canadian Blood Services also acknowledges this altruistic commitment.

However, the bill would go further by making this recognition official at the national level, affirming that these acts are not only appreciated but are also essential to our society. These donors are also unsung heroes. Their contributions may be quieter, occurring many times over many years. Some people choose to donate plasma or platelets on a schedule that requires ongoing commitment and sacrifice. While blood donors do not face the same medical risks as organ donors, the cumulative impact on regular blood and plasma donors is immeasurable.

I recognize the non-partisan spirit that animates the sponsor of Bill C‑234, and I am glad that we were able to make the bill stronger together. It is kicking off a national conversation on how to honour the many donors who are saving lives. It will raise public awareness, support donor recruitment efforts and ultimately increase the number of Canadians who decide to donate organs.

This bill is a tribute to the people who voluntarily make organ donations to help others when they need help the most. It shows that Parliament and all Canadians value the contributions of living donors. Through non-partisan collaboration, we can ensure that this bill passes and that the important role of so many Canadians who choose to make organ donations gets recognition.

In conclusion, I support the objectives of Bill C‑234, and I encourage all members of the House to do the same. Let us honour the people who show up when times are tough, who represent the best of what we are and who remind us that compassion is one of this country's greatest strengths for good. The time has come to honour the people who give the gift of life.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member for Edmonton Manning has up to five minutes for his right of reply.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for all the speeches. They have added so much value to the conversation on an important bill. Beyond how much this bill means to me personally, I think it is going to mean a lot to many Canadians now and in the future. This is what we are trying to do here tonight.

I am thankful for all the co-operation from all sides, from all provinces and from all MPs. This effort belongs to everyone who helped facilitate this bill getting to this stage. Hopefully, we will pass it tonight and let it go to the Senate. That would be the greatest gift and the greatest achievement of my almost 11 years here.

I thank everyone.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The question is on the motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that it pass unanimously.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Mental Health and Addictions

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I presented the health minister with peer-reviewed evidence that showed drug consumption sites do nothing to fix the addictions crisis. In fact, ditching them leads to better outcomes for those suffering from addictions, yet the minister is doubling down on a policy that is not delivering results.

Will the minister admit that this approach is failing and commit today to a clear plan, with timelines, that prioritizes treatment and recovery over maintaining the status quo?

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's drug crisis continues to take far too many lives, and it is having devastating impacts on families and communities across the country. It is a complex public health and public safety challenge that requires working with those directly impacted to achieve a comprehensive and evidence-based response that includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

Since 2017, the federal government has taken significant steps and invested more than $1.2 billion to support a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing the drug crisis. Through the Canadian drugs and substances strategy and the Government of Canada's border plan, Canada is implementing a comprehensive approach to reduce substance use and related harm, prioritizing public health while protecting public safety.

As part of the strategy, Health Canada provides funding to governments and community organizations across Canada through the substance use and addictions program. This program supports innovative, evidence-based initiatives in the areas of substance use prevention, harm reduction and treatment tailored to local needs.

Communities and organizations that are approved for funding under SUAP's terms and conditions and eligible expenditures deliver project activities to respond to their specific local needs and circumstances.

It is important to note that harm reduction is just one component of our comprehensive approach to saving lives and keeping communities safe. It complements prevention, treatment and recovery projects to address substance-use issues.

Our government supports harm reduction initiatives when these activities are part of evidence-based projects aimed at reducing substance-related harms, such as overdose and disease transmission.

Indeed, evidence shows that harm reduction measures help reduce infections and injuries associated with the sharing or use of dangerous substances. These measures save lives by reducing the risk of fatal overdoses and limiting the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. These local projects also serve as essential points of contact with health services, treatment and social supports.

We will continue to take a balanced and evidence-based approach that saves lives, supports pathways to treatment and recovery, and keeps communities safe across Canada.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the member across the way did not answer my question, so I will l ask a very simple question.

Does the member opposite think that smoking fentanyl next to a day care is safe, yes or no?

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our response to the drug crisis is grounded in evidence, compassion and a commitment to saving lives. Through the substance use and addictions program, we empower those on the front lines, such as the provinces, municipalities, indigenous governments and community leaders, to implement a balanced approach that includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery. While the federal government provides funding, it does not deliver these services directly.

Decisions about specific local initiatives are made by the communities and local organizations that best understand their unique realities. Canadians expect an approach that addresses the root causes of addiction while also preventing immediate harm such as fatal overdoses and the spread of disease.

This comprehensive approach helps ensure that public funds are used effectively to support safer, healthier outcomes for Canadians struggling with substance use.

The Economy

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to speak about the state of our Canadian economy. Let me first state that the entrepreneurial spirit of Canadians will never dim. As someone who came to Canada to help build businesses, I know how thriving an economy this country can have. In 2014, newspapers around the world declared that the middle class in Canada had surpassed that of the United States.

Fast-forward to today and the median household income in Canada is thousands of dollars less in real dollars than in the United States. Even the poorest American states, like Alabama, now have a higher GDP than our richest provinces. Among Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S., the Liberal government now oversees the highest household debt, the most unaffordable housing and the highest food price inflation in the entire G7.

There is no other country where my colleagues and I would rather live, work or start a business than in Canada. I know that. However, Parliament should not be a place where we sugar-coat uncomfortable facts or try to drive reality away with rhetoric. As a former small business owner, I was horrified to see the CFIB's most recent report. Fifty-five per cent of small business operators would not recommend starting a small business. According to that report, Canada is “in an entrepreneurial drought”.

Since 2024, more people have been shutting down small businesses than starting them. We all need to buy more locally, but we also need the economic conditions for local businesses to thrive. Canada is losing economic potential in industries of the future, such as AI, robotics and fintech. Canadians are founding new companies in these sectors, but they are founding them south of the border.

Statistics Canada shows that net emigration, those who are leaving Canada, just hit an all-time peak. Canadian emigrants are predominantly young professionals, with 67% aged 20 to 44.

According to the Leaders Fund, nearly half of Canadian founders or entrepreneurs who raised $1 million in 2024 were based in the United States, versus one-third who were based in Canada, including other nations. Nearly 70% of Canadian founders are starting companies elsewhere. A decade ago, 70% of Canadian founders were founding companies in Canada. Canadians with ambition are seeing their future horizons narrowed here at home.

With my time remaining, I ask my colleague this: Given the support for the Liberals' economic plan, by what year will these cross-border gaps in real income and net emigration shrink instead of grow?

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the serious concerns she raised on behalf of her constituents, which underscore the importance of addressing child poverty and affordability issues facing families. It is a concern shared by all members of the House. This is why the government is committed to building a better future for all Canadians, and that means bringing down costs to make life more affordable. The government is responding by taking action through a number of initiatives to improve outcomes, reduce barriers and support children and youth in reaching their full potential.

For nearly 10 years, the Canada child benefit has helped ensure that Canadian families can support their children and plan for the future.

Since 2016, the Canada child benefit has been a cornerstone in the effort to reduce child poverty. The benefit currently supports approximately 3.5 million families and reaches six million children, putting roughly $30 billion annually into tax-free support to families across the country.

Most families receiving the maximum CCB are single-parent families, with approximately 90% of them headed by single women. Plus, the benefit is indexed every year to help families keep up with increases in the cost of living. To help with the additional costs of caring for a child with disabilities, as a supplement to the CCB, the child disability benefit provides up to $3,480 for each eligible child. We know the CCB has contributed to lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

More recently, the national school food program has provided close to 400,000 children per year with access to food programs in their communities, saving parents $800 or more per year.

Budget 2025 introduced legislation to make the national school food program permanent, with an investment of $216.6 million per year starting in 2029-30. As announced on March 26, the National School Food Program Act received royal assent and is now enshrined in law.

There is more. We introduced a phenomenally successful dental care program for Canadians without private insurance. It is helping to address this issue by covering more than 6.3 million eligible Canadian residents, including almost 760,000 children in 2025-26. It saves members, on average, more than $900 annually.

We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This will save a dual-income family up to $840 per year in 2026.

We are building an affordable, high-quality early learning and child care system that is already saving families thousands of dollars per child per year across the country. We enhanced the GST credit, now the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, by increasing it 25% for five years starting in July and providing a one-time 50% top-up this year to help with everyday costs.

There is even more. Budget 2025 introduced automatic federal benefits starting in tax year 2026 to make it easier for low-income Canadians to access benefits.

In short, the government will continue to look for ways to bring down costs to make life more affordable. Because of all these programs in place, Canadians have a higher median of wealth than people in the United States.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the member did not listen to my question. It is about entrepreneurs leaving Canada because they cannot seem to make it here.

All members of the House find the behaviour of the President of the United States insulting. Our sovereignty is non-negotiable, and we will not be held to ransom. At the same time, though, our reliance on the United States is imperative at this point, especially in a riding like mine that has six border crossings. For example, in communities like Grand Forks, north-to-south trade is embedded in the rail line that goes directly from the Interfor mill to U.S. customs.

We are reliant on the United States, and given that the Prime Minister called these kinds of ties a weakness, can the member opposite explain what this means for local communities in my riding, like Grand Forks, and the 2.6 million Canadian jobs that depend on U.S. trade?

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we are putting together many different programs to make sure we are there for all Canadians, including small business owners. As my colleague across the way knows, we are in the process. We will be starting to talk to the United States. That has always been the case. We will find the solutions. We will be there for small businesses and for all Canadians to make sure that we get through this difficult time together.

Housing

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, “It takes too long and costs too much”. That was the message this week from the Ontario Home Builders' Association, which met with many of us. Of course, when it was saying, “It takes too long and costs too much”, it was talking about the government.

Just yesterday, Ratehub's affordability report came out, and it confirms the consequences of what the home builders told us. The consequences are that home prices continue to rise and sales continue to decline. In fact, home prices have risen in 10 of the 13 metro areas the report looked at, including Toronto, which is the largest metro area for me.

The cost of an average home continues to rise. As I have said in this place before, in my area, in Durham and York regions, the price-to-income ratio is about 10 times, so it is essentially unaffordable for any new homebuyer to get into the market.

I am glad that our work as an effective opposition has dragged the government, somewhat kicking and screaming, to agree with our policies with respect to GST and homebuilding taxes. That is a start.

What we need now is accountability. We need to understand what accountability measures the government will impose on municipalities for the money that would be provided to defray the costs of infrastructure. The Liberals say this will bring down the price of housing. Maybe it will, maybe it will not. What I want is some KPIs. I want accountability. Could the parliamentary secretary tell me what success looks like here, and how we shall measure whether their policies actually bring down the cost of a home?

[Wade Grant, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise and reply to my friend from York—Durham.

Yes, we know that too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. That is why the government is taking action on multiple fronts to increase the rate of home construction, restore affordability and reduce homelessness, not through a single program but with a comprehensive approach that brings every partner to the table.

On February 5, the government tabled legislation to establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation to scale up the supply of affordable homes for lower- and middle-income Canadians. Build Canada Homes will partner across the housing ecosystem, deploying flexible financing tools, leveraging public lands and using modern methods of construction to build more affordable homes for Canadians. It will help build homes more quickly, more efficiently and at scale.

Across this country, the Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities to remove local barriers that slow new supply. We are helping to support faster, more predictable approvals and aligning rules so that good projects can get built.

We have introduced targeted tax measures that make purpose-built rental projects more financially viable, because renters need more options that they can afford. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation programs, such as the apartment construction loan program and mortgage loan insurance, are helping builders access the financing necessary to move projects from concept to construction. This continues the progress made by the national housing strategy.

To date, over 741,000 households have been reduced or eliminated from housing needs. More than 195,000 new housing units were created or committed. That progress matters, because solving the housing crisis requires steady, sustained effort over time. For young Canadians working toward their first home, federal supports, such as the first home savings account, will allow them to save up to $40,000 tax-free. This is done with contributions that reduce their taxable income and withdrawals that are entirely tax-free when they buy their first home.

To lower the upfront cost of buying a new home for young Canadians, we introduced the first-time homebuyers' GST rebate to allow first-time homebuyers to save up to $50,000 on a new home. The government is eliminating the goods and services tax on new homes up to $1 million and reducing the same GST on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million for first-time homebuyers.

We are also working to reduce the cost of home building. The first of these partnerships was announced on March 30 with the Government of Ontario. It will help lower development charges and reduce taxes and fees for a home in Ontario up to $200,000. We look forward to working with other partners to reach similar agreements.

The Government of Canada is taking action so all Canadians have access to an affordable place to live.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have heard the sales pitch before. We have all heard it, but what we are looking for are goalposts, accountability and KPIs. How will we measure this success? I did not hear any explanation of that.

My follow-up question is about accountability. The government's promise was 500,000 new homes each year. I wonder if the parliamentary secretary could give us an update this evening on how many homes have been built to date in 2026.

[Wade Grant, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saying that the federal government is empowering Canadians to get ahead, through budget 2025. Build Canada Homes and a range of housing measures are part of our national effort to increase housing construction, restore affordability and reduce homelessness. Budget 2025 is making generational investments of $25 billion over five years for housing, and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure. These strategic investments will create lasting prosperity by building homes and major infrastructure projects. Together with our partners across government and the housing industry, we are building homes, creating jobs and growing our economy.

The Government of Canada is strengthening its capacity to address Canada's housing crisis, improving housing supply and accelerating innovation in homebuilding. We are taking action to lower housing costs for Canadians so everyone has a place to call home.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:27 p.m.)