Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question and her interest in this issue that is so very important to us. In fact, in budget 2016 we announced an investment of 50%, the first since 1999. This means an increase of $50 million a year for the next two years to support the fight against homelessness in our communities.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for that important question. I would also like to commend him for his interest in the subject. Budget 2016 announced a record investment of $2.3 billion in affordable housing, the biggest investment in this area in 25 years. This funding is available for projects such as the Cloverdale co-operative and other similar projects across Quebec and Canada.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. I am very pleased to see his interest in seniors. I am sure that he, like me, recognizes the importance of budget 2016 in addressing this issue. We reduced the age of eligibility to 65 in order to prevent 100,000 seniors from slipping into poverty and to bring the poverty rate of seniors aged 65 and 66 down from 17% to 6%.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his interest and for this important question. The previous government unfortunately brought in this reform without conducting any serious economic and social studies. It would have plunged 100,000 seniors into poverty, lowered the income of 20% of the poorest seniors by 35%, and taken away $13,000 from the most vulnerable seniors.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate and thank my colleague for this very important question. Budget 2016 would provide the largest federal investment in housing in over 25 years. This investment of $2.3 billion includes, among other things, $200 million for seniors housing, doubling the federal investment in affordable housing, as well as close to $600 million for retrofits and renovations.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. Like my fellow member, I recognize the importance of investing in the well-being of our senior citizens. The government's recent budget is proof of that. It contains significant investments that will change the lives of our seniors both now and in the future.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent for his question, comments, and advice. He has given us a lot of advice, which the members on this side of the House appreciate, particularly those who have less experience than he does. I would like to say two things.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I will begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with the member for Brampton Centre. I am very pleased to rise in the House to take part in this important debate on budget 2016, a historic budget for Canadians. I rise to speak not only in my capacity as Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, but above all as the member of Parliament for Québec.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I am so delighted and so proud to be part of a team that will be implementing the most significant social policy innovation in a generation. This new Canada child benefit will be simpler, non-taxable, and will benefit nine families out of ten. It will take 300 children out of poverty.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that important question. This issue is very important to us. As we have pointed out, this is about the vulnerability of the most at-risk and poorest members of our society. I think the hon. member will be surprised in the coming weeks by the new relationship that we plan to build with the provinces regarding this important issue.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member from across the aisle for her question. This relates to a key aspect of the program we developed and championed during the election campaign. We announced at that time that the Canadian government would recommit to supporting affordable social housing.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear this question. That matter was an important element of our platform in the last election and contributed to electing a government that is sensitive both to economic growth and to inclusive growth. We will have very good news in a matter of a few days, which I think all members in the House are looking forward to, including members opposite.

Pensions  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank the member for his very important question. I am delighted to remind the House that our government is committed to providing seniors with a very secure retirement. We will restore to 65 the age of eligibility for old age security, well before the planned increase by the previous government.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member of Parliament for his dedication and interest in this important topic. Our government acknowledges the scope and seriousness of the health and mental health issues faced by our northern Ontario communities and elsewhere in Canada. Federal, provincial, and first nation partners are working strongly together to address these complex issues of mental illness and suicide, addictions, chronic disease, and at improving access to quality health care needed by everyone in Canada and, in particular, our indigenous communities.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I again thank the hon. member for his sensitivity to this very important issue. He has heard over the last few weeks and months this government's commitment to working on a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples in order to make progress on the issues that are most important to them, including health.