Joe Fontana

[Housing, November 17th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I find it absolutely incredible coming from the Bloc that they would suggest this. They voted against Bill C-48, which would have made possible $1.6 billion for housing. We have already made a commitment that we will renew IPAC/SCPI and RRAP. In fact, as a government we have indicated that not only do we invest $2 billion each and every year to help 636,000 people, with $1 billion in terms of homelessness and $1 billion in terms of affordable housing, but we will continue to invest in housing in Quebec and across this country.

[Housing, November 16th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I believe you ruled on a response we provided to Question No. 151 as appropriate, and you did that yesterday. Therefore I am sure the hon. member in this House would not want me to comment on a matter that is before the British Columbia courts.

[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, November 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the member for her support in housing. Let me tell the House and I know it is shared by all Canadians that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a success story.

For over 60 years, it has made it possible, starting with veterans, to buy a home. Our program, which is not a subsidized program and operates on a commercial basis, has made it possible for over millions and millions of Canadians to own their first home.That in fact is at record highs.

Home ownership is an ideal that we want all people to attain. We are determined to do that. The Bloc never gets it. This is not a subsidized--

[Housing, October 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I know they do not have a policy, but where have they been? CMHC offers 95% mortgaging for first time home buyers. We have come up with incredible innovative programs to make it possible. Home ownership is at an all time high. We are waiving premiums for not for profit and cooperative housing. We have reduced premiums by 30% for the private sector. We are doing more and will do more.

That party does not even have a policy on housing let alone any other ideas.

[Housing, October 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is unusual that the Conservatives want me to use CMHC surpluses, of which we are doing, to promote affordable housing. The Conservatives voted against the budget that earmarked $295 million toward aboriginal housing. They voted against Bill C-48 which essentially was to build more and more housing on and off reserve for aboriginal people.

The Prime Minister, the first ministers and the aboriginal leaders next month will talk about a transformative program for aboriginals for both on and off reserve housing.

[Housing, October 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to this question, the Bloc has no credibility.

In fact, I do not understand how the Bloc can on one hand say that we are not supporting through CMHC surpluses any particular housing, yet the Bloc voted against the budget that allowed for $295 million for on reserve housing. The Bloc voted against Bill C-48 that provides $1.6 billion, of which significant numbers will be made available for affordable housing for aboriginals, Quebeckers and Canadians.

[Unanticipated Surpluses Act, October 27th, 2005]

No, it's tax reduction and debt reduction.

[Unanticipated Surpluses Act, October 27th, 2005]

Where? Which one?

[Housing, October 26th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Bloc Québécois does not like the CMHC, which is a successful corporation that has made it possible for people to buy homes.

If the member is honestly suggesting that the board of directors, meeting with hundreds of stakeholders in Vancouver and Montreal and taking a ferry, spent five hours in five days to talk to stakeholders, buddy, come to see me and I will show you the facts.

[Housing, October 26th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I think I addressed this yesterday. We want our boards and board members to live up to the higher expectation standards that the public expects of all of us.

I can tell the hon. member, and I am prepared to sit with him or anybody else and show them that this board has travelled the country. The board members talk to stakeholders. They talk to clients. They do their job. They want to hear from Canadians from the west coast to the east coast, from the north to the south.

Their job is to get out across Canada and to hear from their clients so that we can build more and better housing, including social housing in Quebec.