Debates of June 5th, 2026

Message from the Senate

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I have the honour to inform the House that a message has been received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate has passed the following bill with an amendment to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill C‑9, an act to amend the Criminal Code with regard to hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places. Copies of the amendment are available on the table.

The Senate has also passed the following bill to which the concurrence of the House is desired: Bill S‑246, an act respecting the recognition of wartime service.

The House proceeded to the consideration of Bill C‑20, An Act respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes, as reported (without amendment) from the committee.

Build Canada Homes Act

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

There being no motions at report stage, the House will now proceed, without debate, to the putting of the question on the motion to concur in the bill at report stage.

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

moved that the bill be concurred in at report stage.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

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]

Madam Speaker, I request that the motion be carried on division.

(Motion agreed to)

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

moved that the bill be read a third time and passed.

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to split my time with the member for Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to support the bill respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes. This decisive law will make Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation tasked with building and expanding affordable housing for Canadians.

As we all know, Canada is going through a housing crisis. To date, federal efforts have been spread out across several departments, agencies and programs, limiting the government's ability to have maximum impact. Traditional approaches to building and financing do not provide the scale or speed that Canadians need. That is why we are taking a new approach.

Every Canadian deserves an affordable place to call home. Housing is a basic need, and the growing demand for housing across the country requires urgent action. Build Canada Homes was created to act quickly and effectively. This legislation will give Build Canada Homes the flexibility and operational autonomy it needs to carry out its mandate.

As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will maintain a clear accountability framework with respect to the government. That will strengthen its ability to develop partnerships across the housing ecosystem and provide affordable housing at the scale and speed that Canadians need.

Build Canada Homes will streamline federal housing efforts by acting as a developer, a funder, a unifying force and a catalyst for innovation in the housing sector. It will play a central role in building strong partnerships with all levels of government and indigenous communities. It will also work with non-profit organizations and other key stakeholders in the housing sector to stimulate the construction of affordable housing across Canada. This includes private developers and community organizations.

However, Build Canada Homes cannot act alone. The success of its initiatives depends on partnerships. Greater collaboration between all levels of government and with key partners is needed to address the housing challenges we face across the country. Build Canada Homes will streamline and accelerate the delivery of large-scale affordable housing projects. The agency will attract public, private and philanthropic investment, thereby maximizing its impact.

The Build Canada Homes Act will foster partnerships across the housing ecosystem to bring together the right funding and the right projects. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will provide access to federal lands, development expertise and flexible financial tools through a single entity. It will speed up the delivery of affordable housing by working with non-profit organizations, indigenous organizations and all levels of government. This approach will limit risk, eliminate barriers and guide projects throughout the development process.

Build Canada Homes will also work in close collaboration with developers, investors and manufacturers on securing funding and building homes. It will work directly with builders and suppliers focused on long-term affordability. That includes non-profit organizations, co-operatives, community housing providers and organizations that promote different housing options for Canadians. These strategic partnerships will make it possible to create affordable housing for a wide range of households, regardless of their income.

Build Canada Homes will have the authority to work under agreements with all levels of government and community partners on financial support, joint ventures and joint development initiatives. The agency will strive to create close collaboration and coordination with the provinces and territories, which will foster progress on priority projects. Among other things, that could include making land available, speeding up approval procedures or waiving any applicable fees.

In April 2026, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announced a partnership to support the construction of nearly 865 affordable housing units across the province. The total investment in affordable housing, supported housing and transitional housing in the province amounts to $200 million. Build Canada Homes is providing approximately $100 million, and Quebec is also contributing up to $100 million.

This is a direct result of the memorandum of understanding establishing the principles of collaboration for rolling out Build Canada Homes in Quebec. Signed in January 2026, this memorandum of understanding will guide future collaboration and ensure the coordinated roll-out of Build Canada Homes projects across Quebec. Through their collaboration, the federal and Quebec governments will speed up the approval process and identify additional housing projects. The combined investments will help build more affordable housing in the communities that need it most.

To illustrate the importance of this legislation, I will give two clear examples of housing projects in my riding, Les Pays-d'en-Haut. The first was built under the old programs, and the second was built using the new tools provided by Build Canada Homes.

The first project is called Habitat Morin-Heights. It is a 30-unit housing project that enables our seniors 75 and older to remain in the community when they are no longer able to manage their homes. They used to have to move elsewhere. The project had the support of the community, the municipality, the Government of Quebec, and the Government of Canada, but even with all that support, five years passed between the housing units being acquired from the Société d'habitation du Québec upon completion of construction and the residents moving in. That is unacceptable. Some residents on the waiting list simply moved away, and some even passed away before they could move into their homes. Ultimately, the project has been a great success. Habitat Morin-Heights is full, and there is a new waiting list. However, five years to complete a housing project is far too long.

Now, I would like to tell members about a similar project in my riding that will be carried out using tools from Build Canada Homes. I am talking about the Coop de solidarité Au coeur des collines in Saint‑Calixte. It is a project involving 28 affordable social housing units.

After I was elected last year, I met with the 19 mayors in my riding, as well as several municipal councillors. During that tour, Michel Jasmin, the mayor of Saint‑Calixte, Lucie Chagnon, a municipal councillor, and Maria Dias-Ribeiro, the president of the board of directors for the Coop de solidarité Au coeur des collines quickly made it clear to me that the project was vital to the community and that they needed help seeing it through.

The project was ready to go. It had the support of the community, the municipality and the province. The bidding process was under way. The only thing missing was the federal funding needed to start construction. After several unsuccessful attempts to get the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on board, they submitted the project to Build Canada Homes, and in just six months everything was finalized. That is what Build Canada Homes does. It analyzes and identifies projects that will give fast results, supports them and makes it possible to start construction because the longer we wait on a project, the more expensive it becomes. I am pleased to announce that construction on the Au cœur des collines project in Saint‑Calixte will begin this summer. That is a significant achievement.

To announce this wonderful project, I had the opportunity to welcome the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure to my riding in Morin-Heights. I specifically chose to make the announcement at the site of the first project I mentioned, Habitat Morin-Heights. I must admit that it was a strategic choice on my part, because I wanted to show my colleagues the impact that a housing project can have on a small community. They were able to talk to the residents who had recently moved in and explore this new community a bit.

They also saw that a 30-unit project in a small community is as important as a 500-unit project in a big city. They were also able to see the emotion in the eyes of Ms. Chagnon and Ms. Dias-Ribeiro, who will finally see the project they fought so hard for get built. That is the real-world impact of Build Canada Homes, and that is why we need to pass the bill to create the Crown corporation.

In conclusion, the Build Canada Homes act will create a Crown corporation with a clear mandate, governance structure and powers. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will have the operational independence, governance and flexibility that is necessary to deliver affordable housing at scale.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a question.

Obviously, the Bloc Québécois supports the bill, because we want housing to be built. However, a similar body already exists, namely the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Its mandate is very similar, if not identical, to that of Build Canada Homes.

Why create a new body? What is the logic there? What will happen to the CMHC?

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his question. I think I illustrated this very clearly in my example: the dynamic and flexible nature of Build Canada Homes will make it possible to build more quickly. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation had programs, but it had limited capabilities. Build Canada Homes is much more dynamic and much more flexible, which will facilitate partnerships and quicker housing construction.

[Kristina Tesser Derksen, Liberal, Milton East—Halton Hills South, ON]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his excellent speech.

Our Minister of Industry recently announced support to train and attract new talent in the field of skilled trades. I wonder if my colleague would like to comment on how see sees that program, to attract and train new skilled trade workers, dovetailing with the Build Canada Homes initiative.

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, to build all these homes that Build Canada Homes is going to build, we need skilled workers. This initiative is 100% complementary, I would say, to Build Canada Homes. It is going to permit the construction of a lot of apartments, homes and everything we need to get these things built.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, I have no objection to Bill C-16, but this is only the first step. Now there is a Crown corporation.

A Crown corporation is better than having a special operating agency, which is where Build Canada Homes started out.

However, I do have some concerns regarding the minister's accountability and responsibility. The more independent the organization is, the less responsibility he bears. When it comes to the important issue of housing, accountability is crucial.

The accountability question is the one that bothers me. We are seeing a lot of new Crown corporations created.

Will the ministerial lines of accountability be as strong?

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the question, and I love having wonderful conversations with her in the House every day.

I think Build Canada Homes is the necessary tool at this time to get things done. Accountability to the minister is going to be super important, but I am not worried that there are going to be any problems on that front.

Again, the flexibility that Build Canada Homes has, and the quickness with which we can get stuff built, is the most important factor right now.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's words on the importance of Build Canada Homes.

He highlighted how important it is to recognize that Build Canada Homes is not going to operate in itself, that it is very much going to work collaboratively with different stakeholders and provincial jurisdictions. It is all about doing what the Prime Minister and the government as a whole have been talking about, and that is increasing Canada's housing supply, with some particular focus on affordable housing.

I wonder if he could just provide his thoughts on how important it is that we work collaboratively with the different stakeholders out there.

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

Madam Speaker, I think the best example of that is the deal we signed with Quebec for 865 new homes that are going to be happening rapidly. We were able to coordinate with the provincial government to make sure that its priorities became our priorities. That is what we need in these times to get stuff built as quickly as possible because we have to get out of this housing crisis. The best way to do it is through Build Canada Homes.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Government of Canada's Build Canada Homes act, especially the important role of Build Canada Homes in supporting Canada's economy and the federal government's buy Canadian policy.

Since September 2025, Build Canada Homes has functioned as a special operating agency of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Its fast and effective work has allowed this new federal agency to make considerable strides already in increasing the amount of affordable housing available to Canadians. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada homes will have the flexibility and operational autonomy needed to fulfill its mandate. It will follow a clear framework of accountability to the government. That is what makes the Build Canada Homes act a decisive legislative measure.

The Government of Canada must strengthen its ability to address the housing crisis and speed up innovation in residential construction. Too many Canadians are having a hard time finding housing that they can afford. Housing costs are rising, supply is not keeping up with demand and productivity in the construction sector is weak. Traditional construction and financing approaches alone are not enough to deliver at the scale or speed that Canadians require.

Build Canada Homes consolidates functions that were previously spread out across multiple departments, agencies and programs, which limited the federal government's ability to maximize its impact. It will act as a developer, a funder, a unifying force and a catalyst for innovation to help create a more productive housing construction sector. Canadians need more housing, and the Build Canada Homes act will enable us to build faster, more efficiently and on the scale required.

The global trade environment is changing rapidly. In response, we are building a stronger, more resilient and more independent Canadian economy. At the heart of this strategy lies an ambitious plan to deliver nation-building projects, more affordable housing and stronger local infrastructure. We are strengthening relationships among all levels of government—municipal, territorial and provincial—and with our indigenous partners. We are making strategic investments to build a stronger, more sustainable and more resilient economy. We are working to cut red tape, remove international trade barriers and secure new agreements that will stimulate the local economy.

This will require a skilled workforce in the trades. That is why, on April 29, as part of the spring economic update, the Prime Minister announced the team Canada strong initiative. This new $6-billion pan-Canadian initiative aims to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new workers in Red Seal trades over the next five years.

The team Canada strong initiative will transform the skilled trades sector and attract more apprentices to the workforce. It will ensure that young Canadians are ready to build the housing and infrastructure we need. It will create new jobs, provide access to good jobs, and strengthen Canada's workforce of tomorrow.

The Government of Canada is taking decisive action now to transform our country and make it more resilient, so that it can move from dependence to resilience. The goal is to make Canada one of the fastest-growing and most competitive economies in the world and to usher in a new era of economic security and prosperity for Canadians.

The Government of Canada is achieving this by building on the solid foundation of Canada's strong industries. We are investing in our future and fostering economic growth through Build Canada Homes and the implementation of the buy Canadian policy.

As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will be funded by the initial $13-billion allocation announced in budget 2025. Build Canada Homes was created to consolidate federal support for affordable housing in one place by working in collaboration with other government departments and agencies.

It is going to move swiftly, use federal lands, support innovative building approaches and establish partnerships in all sectors to build affordable homes.

Build Canada Homes is a key part of Canada's new industrial strategy, and it will contribute to a more productive residential construction sector. Build Canada Homes will prioritize projects that use Canadian-made materials, such as mass timber, softwood lumber, steel and aluminum. It will promote modern construction methods such as modular and prefabricated housing to reduce construction times, material waste and environmental impact.

The federal government is leveraging the key relationships it has with private developers, businesses, community organizations and non-profits, and with other government and indigenous partners. By working together, we are creating job opportunities here at home and supporting the Canadian workforce. Together, we are building stronger communities and a stronger Canada.

The Government of Canada launched a new strategic framework for the buy Canadian policy, which took effect on December 16, 2025. This policy leverages federal investments by prioritizing Canadian suppliers, content and materials to make the Canadian economy stronger, more resilient to global shocks and better placed to support Canadian businesses and workers.

The policy is comprehensive and covers not only direct procurement but also all federal investment. It is enforced by federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations.

Build Canada Homes embraces the buy Canadian policy of the Government of Canada. It will do this by prioritizing projects that use Canadian materials, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good jobs. Every new home will lead to increased demand for Canadian steel, wood and aluminum, helping workers and businesses thrive.

The buy Canadian policy also provides some flexibility and a road map for provinces and municipalities to implement similar standards in their own procurement processes based on regional realities and priorities. These changes to the procurement rules will create a strong Canadian supply chain and help Canadian industries be more self-reliant and resilient in the face of fluctuations in the global economy.

The buy Canadian policy supports strategic sectors like Canada's construction and defence industries. It applies to projects such as buildings, bridges, aircraft parts and much more. It requires major federal construction and defence procurement projects to use steel, aluminum and wood products made in Canada.

In closing, Build Canada Homes is one of a number of strategic efforts by the federal government to invest in our country, protect Canadian interests and make our economy one of the strongest in the G7. Making Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation puts the Government of Canada in a better position to make Canada stronger and more resilient.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, earlier I had the opportunity to ask one of our colleagues a question about how important it is that we recognize our stakeholders, working collaboratively with provincial and territorial jurisdictions, indigenous communities and so forth. Already this morning, one of the things that have been highlighted is the importance of making sure we have the skilled workers necessary. My colleague made reference to the Red Seal program and its 80,000 to 100,000 people over the next number of years, which is a serious investment by this government.

I wonder if my colleague could provide his thoughts on working collaboratively, as we have witnessed with the federal government and the Province of Quebec, or if he could comment on just how important the Red Seal program is to our nation in terms of building homes and other projects.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Madam Speaker, the Red Seal program is a very important program. Canada is facing an extremely serious labour crisis and a housing crisis. If we want more housing, we need more people to build it. By investing in these programs, our government is taking proactive steps to quickly address an existing crisis.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the Liberal government's response to the housing crisis in our country, I believe that Canadians are looking to see steps that the government can take to immediately address this acute housing challenge without creating additional bureaucracies.

Within the current remit of existing agencies, what additional powers do they hope to glean, at great additional expense to the taxpayer, that will more quickly resolve the very acute housing challenge that Canadians are facing?

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Madam Speaker, the only power we have is the power that comes to us from the people of Canada, who elected us to carry out these important mandates in light of the current housing crisis. We are therefore taking action on behalf of Canadians. We are taking action because the housing market is in a deep crisis. That is why we are creating Build Canada Homes: to immediately respond to the current crisis.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on his speech. I know he recently celebrated his first year as an MP, and I imagine he has not yet had the opportunity to work closely on specific projects with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC.

I have been an MP for several years now, and I can say that CMHC was a fairly important body for vetting business plans, as well as for ensuring that social housing meets various standards, particularly energy efficiency standards, and that our new housing meets the highest construction standards in terms of both sustainability and development.

I would like my colleague to clarify this for me, because I do not really understand. Essentially, Build Canada Homes is taking the place of CMHC. Will the CMHC's expertise be transferred to Build Canada Homes?