SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 197

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 15, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 197 - May/15/23
Mr. Terry Duguid
  • May/15/23 7:21:59 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Speaker, I have given some examples of the types of projects that the federal government is funding in the north. I can also tell members about the national adaptation strategy, which will provide an additional $50 million in funding over four years starting in 2023-24. The funding will enhance support for indigenous adaptation projects and priorities through existing climate adaptation programs. One of the government's highest priorities is adapting and responding to the impacts of climate change, particularly in Nunavut. From the initiatives I have spoken about, it is clear that the government has been working closely with indigenous peoples in the north to ensure they are highly engaged in the fight against climate change. I want to thank the hon. member for the question.
128 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Speaker
  • May/15/23 7:22:49 p.m.
  • Watch
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been withdrawn, and the House will now resolve itself into committee of the whole to study all votes under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
53 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Chair
  • May/15/23 7:24:23 p.m.
  • Watch
Today's debate is a general one on all votes under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The first round will begin with the official opposition, followed by the government, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party. After that, we will follow the usual proportional representation. Each member will be allocated 15 minutes at a time, which may be used for both debate or for posing questions. Members wishing to use this time to make a speech have a maximum of 10 minutes, which leaves at least five minutes for questions to the minister. When a member is recognized, he or she should indicate to the Chair how the 15-minute period will be used, in other words, how much time will be spent on the speech and how much time will be used for questions and answers. Also, pursuant to order made earlier today, members who wish to share their time with one or more members shall indicate this to the Chair. The Chair will receive no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent. When the time is to be used for questions and comments, the minister's response should reflect approximately the time taken to pose the question, since this time will be counted in the time originally allotted to the member. Pursuant to order made earlier today, the time provided for debate tonight may be extended beyond four hours, as needed, to include a minimum of 16 periods of 15 minutes each. I also wish to indicate that in committee of the whole, comments should be addressed to the Chair. I ask for everyone's co-operation in upholding all established standards of decorum, parliamentary language and behaviour. We will now begin this evening's debate. The hon. leader of the official opposition.
304 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition, CPC)
  • May/15/23 7:26:33 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, eight years ago, the then Liberal leader, now the Prime Minister, promised that he would “make it easier for Canadians to find an affordable place to call home”. At the time, the typical house in Canada cost $452,000. What does it cost today?
48 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Lib.)
  • May/15/23 7:27:00 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, it is an honour to stand here to debate my colleagues. We know that Canadians are facing challenges in accessing their dream of home ownership. We are doing everything we can to help them get there.
38 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:27:14 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, since he is the housing minister, he will know about housing prices. As I said, when the Prime Minister promised lower costs, the typical house was $452,000. How much is it today?
35 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:27:25 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, different prices can be seen in different parts of the country, so I would like the leader of the official opposition to recognize that fact.
27 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:27:36 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, specifically, I am looking at the housing price index for the entire country provided by CREA. How much?
20 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:27:44 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, the average price of a home in Canada in 2022 was $703,000.
15 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:27:52 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, that is close, but it is actually a lot higher than the $452,000 when the Prime Minister promised that he was going to bring housing prices down. Back when he made that promise, the minimum down payment on an average house was $22,000. How much is it today?
52 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:28:11 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, average down payments are also regional in nature. That is my answer.
14 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:28:17 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, I want the national number, please.
8 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:28:25 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, the average down payment on a home, again, depends on the region. Those are the numbers I have. I am happy to provide them.
26 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:28:36 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, I want just the national number, please.
9 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:28:40 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, it is a regional number depending on what part of the country one lives in.
17 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:28:46 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, one can average the regions to get the number for the nation. That is what averages do. This is the housing minister. Surely he knows the average necessary minimum down payment on an average house. Could the housing minister please provide that basic housing information?
47 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:29:03 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, I have provided that information.
7 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:29:08 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, no, he has not. If he believes he has, he should do it again.
16 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Ahmed Hussen
  • May/15/23 7:29:15 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, I will do it again by saying that I have provided that information. It is regional, and I am happy to provide the regional breakdowns to the leader.
30 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Pierre Poilievre
  • May/15/23 7:29:24 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Chair, he cannot provide the average down payment. I know he does not want to because it shows that since the Prime Minister promised more affordable numbers, the average necessary minimum down payment in Canada has more than doubled, from $22,635 to $47,390. That is a doubling of the necessary down payment. The minister says regional information is different. Can he name one region where housing is more affordable now than it was when the Prime Minister made that promise?
83 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border