Randy Boissonnault

[The Economy, March 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege for me to share with the member opposite exactly what we are doing and will continue to do on housing. There has been $72 billion invested in the national housing strategy, $2.5 billion invested in the rapid housing initiative, and investments in every corner of this country and every riding, even the noisy ones, to make sure that housing is a right for everyone. We will continue to focus on Canadians, while the Conservatives focus on raising the temperature.

[The Economy, March 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we provided seniors over 75 years of age with a one-time payment of $500 and the Conservatives voted against it. We are focused on affordability, and that is what we will continue to do.

[The Economy, March 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, since the hon. member has raised the issue of affordability, let us review what we have done since taking office. We lowered taxes for the middle class twice and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, and Conservatives voted against. We created the CCB indexed to inflation and Conservatives voted—

[The Economy, March 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to this platform initiative.

As it pertains to affordability, it is disappointing that the NDP chose to vote against providing more pandemic supports for Canadians and businesses in Bill C-2.

On raising taxes on the wealthiest 1% and lowering them for the middle class, increasing investments for the Canada Revenue Agency to combat tax evasion and increasing investments to combat international tax avoidance, we invite the opposition NDP to vote with us on Bill C-8.

[The Economy, March 21st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition member is discussing the issue of affordability.

We lowered taxes for the middle class twice. We increased them for the wealthiest 1%, but the members across the aisle voted against. We created the Canada child benefit, which is indexed to inflation, but they voted against.

On this side of the House, we are here to address the issue of affordability, and that is what we will continue to do.

[Small Business, March 3rd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the pressures created by supply chain disruptions and the shift from buying services to buying goods are real, and we are monitoring that situation closely.

As it relates to inflation, there are other structural costs that make life less affordable for Canadian families, and chief among them are housing and child care. That is why our government has a robust national housing strategy and a child care plan that is covering Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The average Albertan family will save $5,600 this year.

[Taxation, March 3rd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the opposition is raising the issue of affordability, so let us review what we have done since taking office.

We lowered taxes for the middle class twice and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, and the Conservatives voted against. We created the CCB, indexed to inflation, and the Conservatives voted against. We provided seniors over 75 years old with a one-time payment of $500 and guess what. The Conservatives voted against.

This side will focus on affordability. That side should get on board.

[Seniors, March 3rd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we know that seniors are hurting, and we have had the backs of Canadians throughout the pandemic. We know seniors who normally receive GIS payments are facing challenges today because they were supported by the CRB and CERB. In the economic and fiscal update, we presented our government's plan to alleviate financial hardship of GIS recipients who received CRB or CERB.

We will continue to investigate ways to respond to the needs of seniors.

[Infrastructure, February 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by expressing my full solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

The hon. member for Châteauguay—Lacolle is absolutely right. That is why our government is providing municipalities with an additional $750 million in funding for public transit. This funding will help fill some of the operational gaps caused by the pandemic.

This will include two important requirements. First, our provincial and territorial partners must match our contribution. Second, provincial and territorial governments must match the federal contribution.

This is good news.

[Emergencies Act, February 21st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, my focus as Associate Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism and a member of this government is to ensure that we have peace, security, good government and safety for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The situation is still precarious, as the member may well have seen—