Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded division.
House of Commons Hansard #132 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 #132 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.
Instruction to Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security Conservative members move to split Bill C-22 into two parts to address government surveillance concerns effectively. Conservatives argue that splitting the bill would allow expedited passage of part 1 while providing necessary time to debate contentious provisions in part 2. Liberal members criticize the delay, characterizing Conservative tactics as an attempt to impede tougher crime measures and hinder law enforcement access to modern investigative tools. 4400 words, 1 hour.
Bill C‑20—Time Allocation Motion Members debate a time allocation motion for Bill C-20, which establishes "Build Canada Homes." Minister Gregor Robertson defends the new Crown corporation as essential for the housing crisis. Conservative MPs criticize creating a redundant housing agency without clear targets, while the Bloc Québécois requests flexibility for regions facing unique costs. The House then moves to a recorded vote. 4500 words, 30 minutes.
Build Canada Homes Act Third reading of Bill C-20. The bill proposes establishing Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation to accelerate affordable housing delivery. Liberal members argue this necessary Crown corporation provides the autonomy and tools needed to increase housing supply. Conversely, Conservative MPs contend the legislation creates a fourth federal housing agency, arguing it imposes unnecessary bureaucracy without clear, measurable targets. Opposition members further claim the focus should remain on lowering construction costs rather than expanding federal administrative structures. 42100 words, 6 hours in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Remarks by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry—Speaker's Ruling The Speaker rules on a question of privilege raised by the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, concluding that the dispute over economic data interpretations does not constitute a prima facie case of intentionally misleading the House. 600 words.
Corrections and Conditional Release Act Second reading of Bill C-232. The bill mandates that dangerous offenders and multi-murderers remain in maximum-security institutions. Conservative members argue these serious criminal offenders require strict confinement to ensure public safety and respect victims, whereas Liberals and the Bloc Québécois contend such policies undermine rehabilitation efforts and favor punitive measures over evidence-based correctional practices. 7600 words, 1 hour.
Protecting Victims Act Third reading of Bill C-16. The bill, titled "the protecting victims act" (/debates/2026/6/9/anthony-housefather-2/), aims to update the Criminal Code to address modern crimes, including coercive control and online child exploitation. While the government argues the legislation strengthens protections for children and victims of gender-based violence, the Conservative opposition has criticized the inclusion of a "safety valve" provision (clause 63, /debates/2026/6/9/larry-brock-3/) that allows judges to bypass mandatory minimum penalties, arguing it undermines accountability for serious offenses. 25500 words, 3 hours.
Adjournment Debate - Marine Transportation Gord Johns criticizes the inequitable federal funding for BC Ferries compared to Atlantic Canada, arguing for a new support model. Caroline Desrochers defends the current arrangements, emphasizing the federal government's existing indexed contributions and reaffirming that ferry operations remain, by agreement, a primary responsibility of the British Columbia provincial government. 1400 words, 10 minutes.
Tony Baldinelli Conservative Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded division.
Bill C-232 Corrections and Conditional Release ActPrivate Members' Business
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
Pursuant to Standing Order 93, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 10, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-20, An Act respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes, be read the third time and passed.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, what we have seen today is the Conservative Party take the position of continuing to deny Canadians the opportunity to have a national housing strategy or a program that incorporates Build Canada Homes, which is there to support Canadians in a very real and tangible way.
Does the member, in principle, support a national government addressing a national issue by providing mechanisms to ensure that the issues can in fact be resolved—
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, I do not appreciate the narrative that we are denying Canadians a solution. The Liberal government, for 11 years now, has made several attempts to resolve this issue by addressing the problem that they see with homelessness and with housing in Canada, and they have only made matters worse over the last 11 years.
The Liberals have to accept failure at some point in time and realize that the best thing to do is probably to get rid of the infrastructure we have for housing here in Ottawa and transfer the funds to the province, which would be more adept at solving the problem than the government has proven to be.
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a question in the same vein.
Earlier in my speech, I said that the government was adding a layer of bureaucracy. In the past, there used to be programs managed by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC.
In my riding, I see a lot of social housing development projects that are unfortunately not being funded. They have funding from Quebec through the Société d'habitation du Québec, or SHQ, but they have not received federal funding for several months because they have been asked to wait for Build Canada Homes. CMHC used to be able to provide funding, however.
Does my colleague agree that there is an added layer of complexity here? Perhaps he is seeing the same type of problem in his own riding, where projects are ready to move forward but are being held up by the slow federal government.
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question from my colleague.
That is exactly the issue. If an application comes from a Province of Alberta or City of Calgary organization, it has to have support from the provincial government.
After that, there is another form at the federal level. It requires the organization to put in a lot of time, effort and money. It is a waste of time, human resources and money.
It would be better if there were a single process for applying for housing grants in Canada.
Jagsharan Singh Mahal Conservative Edmonton Southeast, AB
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his insight on this new Build Canada Homes bill.
We have two Crown corporations: the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Canada Lands Company. However, over the past 11 years, the Liberals have failed to make use of those two corporations, and now they are pushing for another bureaucracy under the name of Build Canada Homes.
Why are the Liberals so adamant on adding more bureaucracy instead of focusing on results and focusing on the real needs of Canadians, which are affordable homes?
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, I am getting a great deal of great questions on the subject today. Answering the question goes a little deep into the weeds, so I apologize ahead of time to my colleagues on both sides of the House.
The reason the government is setting up all these Crown corporations right now is that Crown corporations have their own balance sheets at the end of the day, and those balance sheets are not included in the government's balance sheet, believe it or not.
The government is $1.4 trillion in debt right now. However, it has borrowed almost $2 trillion. Where is the other $600 billion? It is on the balance sheets of and borrowed by all the Crown corporations, which have a lack of accountability practices. We have proven in the House many times that there are a whole bunch of expenditures that should have been written off by those organizations that continue to rest in their balance sheets.
The cost to Canadians, at the end of the day, is going to be huge. The actual debt we are paying interest on is $2 trillion. This is going to make that even higher still.
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss the Government of Canada's Build Canada Homes act, specifically the importance that Build Canada Homes has in relation to supporting the Canadian economy and the federal government's buy Canadian policy.
Since September of 2025, Build Canada Homes has been a special operating agency within Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Working quickly and efficiently, this new federal agency has already made significant progress to deliver more affordable housing for Canadians. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes would have the flexibility and operational autonomy to deliver on its mandate, all while maintaining a clear accountability framework to Parliament. That is why the Build Canada Homes act is landmark legislation.
The Government of Canada needs to strengthen its capacity to address Canada's housing crisis, improve housing supply and accelerate innovation in homebuilding. Far too many Canadians are struggling to find a home they can afford. Housing costs are creating havoc, and productivity in the construction sector is low.
Traditional construction and funding approaches alone are not delivering the scale or speed Canadians need. Build Canada Homes will centralize functions that were previously spread across multiple departments, agencies and programs that limited the government's ability to have maximum impact. It will act as a developer, a financier, a convenor and a catalyst for a more productive homebuilding sector. Canadians need more homes, and the Build Canada Homes act would help make it possible to build more quickly, more efficiently and at the scale that is required.
The global trade landscape is rapidly changing. In response, we are building a more resilient and more independent Canadian economy. At the core of this strategy is an ambitious plan to construct nation-building projects, more affordable homes and stronger local infrastructure. We are forging strong relationships among all levels of government, municipal, territorial and provincial, and with indigenous partners. We are making strategic investments to build a stronger, more sustainable economy that works towards cutting red tape, eliminating barriers to international trade and making new deals that will drive local economies. This will in turn require a strong skilled trades workforce.
That is why, on April 29, as part of the spring economic update, the Prime Minister announced team Canada strong. This is a $6-billion nationwide effort that will recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trade workers in the next five years. Team Canada strong will transform the skilled trades and bring more apprentices into the workforce. It will ensure that young Canadians are ready to build the housing and infrastructure that we need. It will create new jobs, good careers and strengthen Canada's future workforce.
The Government of Canada is taking decisive action now, making Canada's economy one of the fastest-growing and most competitive in the world and ushering in a new era of economic security and prosperity for Canadians. The Government of Canada, also building on the solid foundation of strong industries, will do so by promoting the buy Canadian policy.
As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes would be funded through the initial envelope of $13 billion that was announced in budget 2025. It is designed to bring federal supports for affordable housing together in one place, working in tandem with other government departments and organizations. It would move quickly to leverage federal land, support innovative building approaches and partner broadly across sectors to deliver affordable homes.
Build Canada Homes is a key part of Canada's new industrial strategy, driving a more productive homebuilding sector. Build Canada Homes will prioritize projects that use Canadian-made materials such as mass timber, lumber, steel and aluminum. It will promote modern construction methods such as modular and prefabricated housing to reduce build times, material waste and environmental impact.
The federal government is leveraging key stakeholder relationships with private developers, businesses and community and not-for-profit organizations, as well as 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 introduced a new buy Canadian policy framework, effective as of December 16, 2025. The policy leverages federal investments by prioritizing Canadian domestic suppliers, content and materials to help make Canada's economy stronger, more resilient to global shocks and better able to support Canadian workers and businesses. The policy is comprehensive, covering not only direct purchasing but also the breadth of federal investments. It is being applied by federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations.
Build Canada Homes adheres to the Government of Canada's buy Canadian policy. It will do so by strengthening domestic supply chains, and every new home will mean more demand for Canadian steel, lumber and aluminum, helping workers and businesses thrive. The buy Canadian policy also provides flexibility and a framework for recognizing the provinces and territories, which may also apply their similar standards. These changes to procurement rules will help Canadian industries become more self-sufficient and resilient to changes in the global economy.
The buy Canadian policy supports strategic sectors, such as the Canadian construction and defence industries, and it applies to projects such as buildings, bridges, aircraft parts and much more. It requires that large federal construction and defence purchases use Canadian-produced steel, aluminum and wood products.
The Government of Canada is also increasing economic opportunities for first nation, Inuit and Métis businesses. Through the federal procurement process, federal departments and agencies are required to ensure that a minimum of 5% of the total value of contracts be held by indigenous businesses. This includes businesses owned and operated by elder, band and tribal councils; businesses registered in the Government of Canada's indigenous business directory; or businesses registered on a modern treaty beneficiary business list.
Through the new buy Canadian policy, we are making the government a force of nation building, becoming our own best customer, protecting Canadian businesses and empowering our workers through high-paying careers that build prosperity at home.
The Government of Canada is moving forward with legislation such as the Build Canada Homes act in order to build strength at home. We are investing in Canadian industries and creating more jobs as a result. Build Canada Homes is a part of the federal government's strategic effort to invest in our modern nation, protect Canadian interests and make our economy one of the strongest in the G7. By making Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation, the Government of Canada would be better placed to ensure that Canadians have access to affordable housing. Across the country, we want to build more homes quickly and efficiently using Canadian materials, Canadian workers and Canadian businesses.
The Build Canada Homes act would enable the federal government to have a greater and more positive influence on Canada's housing system. Together, investments made through Build Canada Homes, in collaboration with key partners, would help strengthen our economy and create lasting economic benefits for communities right across our country.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, we do miss the member on the government operations committee. He is welcome to come back anytime.
He talked about how the plan has support for affordable housing, but the Parliamentary Budget Officer states that, with all the billions of dollars in spending, the government is expected to build only 13,000 low-income units, and that, further, the money would come from stripping money from the affordable housing fund and other supports for at-risk Canadians.
Why would the government punishing vulnerable Canadians and spend money on an added bureaucracy that would create only 13,000 new homes?
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite for his effort to be moderate during OGGO briefings, as chair. We do appreciate his manner. In this case, though, I want to let him be better appreciative of the effort of the Build Canada Homes act to coordinate all these agencies into one in order to minimize costs and to elaborate and expand affordable housing.
The president who has been appointed to that housing agency is one of the leaders across the country in affordable housing, and we welcome her initiatives and her endeavours to produce greater value for homes in Canada.
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that, as with anything, the simplest solution is usually to entrust these matters to the levels of government that are in the best position to meet the needs.
Yes, the federal government and the Government of Quebec signed an agreement for housing, but Quebec knows its own housing needs best. That includes social housing and other types of housing.
Unfortunately, Build Canada Homes will add another layer of bureaucracy. That is neither efficient nor effective. It will slow down the entire process.
My colleague is a member of Parliament from Ontario. I wonder if the same applies in his province.
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I hope the member is wrong, because what the Build Canada Homes act and the agency itself have recognized is that there are a number of other provinces that already operate procurement practices. We want to use those practices concurrently. We would not be duplicating them. We want all of Canada, including Quebec, to benefit from lower costs, greater efficiencies and greater speed, enabling Quebeckers to afford homes here in Canada.
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's excellent speech. He knows what he is talking about. Yes, this is a major component of the government's plan to build more housing faster and ensure that every Canadian has access to affordable housing.
What impact does my colleague think this will have in his riding of Mississauga—Lakeshore?
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is essential to my riding of Mississauga—Lakeshore. We actually have a Canada Lands property.
A lot of people are talking about the redevelopment and revitalization of our waterfront, but we also need affordable housing. As a result, there are now three projects in my riding that are being initiated and built. There has been great support from Peel Region to facilitate those projects, because the federal Government of Canada stepped up to the plate and enabled it to happen.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, I take great offence at the member's calling me “moderate” as chair. It hurts me to my soul.
One of the Liberals' campaign promises was that they would cut municipal development charges in half. In Alberta, B.C. and across the country, this has not happened. Why has the Liberal government broken its promise again?
Charles Sousa Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, the member is moderate, except on this question.
The fact of the matter is that we are reducing costs and working with other provinces. Ontario has actually matched some of those cuts, and that is important. We have to work collaboratively. I reach out to the members of the opposition to come on board to help their citizens and constituents lower their cost of housing. Let us join together to make housing more affordable right across Canada.
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to rise today to speak in support of the Build Canada Homes act. This landmark legislation will establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation tasked with building and expanding affordable housing for Canadians.
Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis. To date, federal efforts have been spread across multiple departments, agencies and provinces, limiting the government's ability to have maximum impact. Traditional approaches to construction and financing do not provide the scale and capacity 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 framework of accountability 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.
As members know, people in Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles are already engaging with organizations interested in working with Build Canada Homes. We already have community housing, built with community organizations, in Saint‑Eustache, Boisbriand, Deux‑Montagnes and Rosemère. Obviously, we all want to build affordable housing.
Build Canada Homes cannot act alone. The success of its initiatives depends on partnerships. Greater collaboration among all levels of government, whether municipal, federal or provincial, 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, maximizing its impact.
The Build Canada Homes act will foster partnerships across the housing ecosystem to connect the right funding to the right projects. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will consolidate 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 housing providers that are 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.
We are working with stakeholders in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles to fast-track the construction of affordable housing across the riding.
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 seek to establish close collaboration and coordination with the provinces and territories, which will help advance priority projects. This could include making land available, expediting approval processes and waiving applicable fees.
I will now turn to partnerships with indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples face unique housing challenges. Build Canada Homes will collaborate with first nations, Inuit and Métis governments, indigenous housing providers and urban indigenous organizations on proposals that will deliver consistent housing outcomes. Build Canada Homes will work collaboratively to address the housing needs of indigenous communities. The Government of Canada respects indigenous sovereignty and supports self-determined housing solutions that apply an indigenous lens to design and implementation. Our indigenous partners know how to integrate culture and adopt housing solutions that enable their communities to thrive. Build Canada Homes is committed to fostering close collaboration with indigenous peoples and advancing indigenous housing priorities.
I would now like to talk about provincial partnerships. Since its launch, Build Canada Homes has moved quickly to initiate housing projects. The Government of Canada has identified public lands that can be converted for housing. We have partnered with local governments to cut red tape and speed up approvals.
In April 2026, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announced an initial partnership to support the construction of about 865 new affordable housing units across the province. The total investment in affordable housing, supportive housing and transitional housing in the province amounts to $200 million. Build Canada Homes is providing approximately $100 million, and Quebec is contributing $100 million.
Supportive and transitional housing is very important for people experiencing domestic violence. Addressing domestic violence is one of the priorities of the Liberal women's caucus. This new housing is a direct result of the memorandum of understanding setting out the principles of collaboration for the rollout of Build Canada Homes in Quebec. Signed in January 2026, this memorandum of understanding will guide future collaboration and ensure the coordinated rollout 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.
In March 2026, the Government of Canada, through Build Canada Homes, and New Brunswick partnered to build affordable housing. This partnership is accelerating the delivery of up to 1,200 shovel‑ready homes, with the potential to scale to 1,500. At least half of the homes will be for low-income Canadians, and at least 160 will be supportive or transitional housing. Approximately 30% of the homes, representing up to 450 units, will be built in smaller rural communities. I have been a member of the rural caucus for several years, and one of the comments that I often hear is that we must ensure that affordable housing is built in rural communities as well.
In conclusion, developing and strengthening partnerships is vital to building homes for Canadians. By pooling resources and finding innovative solutions with its partners, Build Canada Homes is laying a foundation for sustainable solutions. The Build Canada Homes act will make Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation with its own mandate, governance structure and clear powers. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will have the operational independence, governance and flexibility needed to deliver affordable housing at scale. This legislation will allow Build Canada Homes to operate at arm's length from the government, manage its assets, deploy innovative financial tools and make long-term investment decisions more effectively. That is the true strength of partnership: implementing transformative changes. We are working together to develop a strong, more unified approach to housing across the country.
Carol Anstey Conservative Long Range Mountains, NL
Mr. Speaker, I just have a very simple question: What are the targets for the next 12 months on how many homes will be completed through Build Canada Homes?
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will give a very simple answer: Please support our bill.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Long Range Mountains asked a very clear question. Canadians deserve a clear answer. I will give the member opposite another chance to answer, please.
Linda Lapointe Liberal Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, if I understand my colleague's question correctly, he would like me to provide a more detailed response to the question from my colleague opposite.
Obviously, if we want to ensure that Build Canada Homes can build houses, the first step is to vote in favour of the bill so that it can be implemented.
Then Build Canada Homes will actually be able to get to work and start building homes.
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, there are certainly people in my colleague's riding with very interesting projects who are excited because they may be able to access land or funding.
What is she hearing in her riding?