44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 25, 2023 02:00PM
- Oct/25/23 2:48:23 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are working hand in hand with municipalities across this country, whether it is Kelowna, Hamilton, Ajax, or now Halifax, where we are continuing to move forward with investments that are going to respond to people.
I have to say that I was in Brampton just last week. As we were making another announcement about new homes coming up, we were standing on the site of a building that we announced two years ago, which would be opening its doors to new residents today.
This is what we are doing after that member was housing minister and got nothing done. We are there to invest in Canadians and build a stronger future.
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- Oct/25/23 2:49:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, he has the best photo ops in the history of photo ops. We will give him credit for that.
He wants to know what I got done. When I was housing minister, the average rent was $950. It is now over $2,000. When I was housing minister, the average mortgage payment was $1,400. It is now well over $3,500. When I was housing minister, the average needed down payment was 20 grand and one could own a home, on average, by age 29. Now, those numbers have skyrocketed.
I deal in the world of results; he deals in the world of photo ops. I know which ones Canadians prefer.
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- Oct/25/23 2:50:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, while he continues to insult and slag cities and municipalities across this country, we are going to continue to work with them, just as we are working with the City of Halifax to build more homes so that locals can thrive in their community. Recently, we announced an agreement with Halifax to fast track 2,600 permitted units over the next three years, spurring the construction of thousands of homes over the next decade.
However, he wants to talk about what happened when he was housing minister. When he was housing minister, he announced $300 million and got 99 homes built. That is his record as housing minister. We are building homes right across the country, and we are doing it for real.
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- Oct/25/23 2:51:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister proudly makes funding announcements in Quebec with the member to his right, he is actually talking about money that belongs to Quebeckers. Those are our tax dollars. With respect to the motion, if he says he agrees, he is in trouble. If he says he does not agree, he is in trouble. Since he is in trouble either way, and because he will be asked about it the next time he is next to the Premier of Quebec, why will he not simply tell us what he really thinks for once?
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- Oct/25/23 2:52:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when I spend time in my riding in Montreal, when I spend time across Quebec, and speak with people about their concerns, whether it is about climate change, affordability, the cost of housing or the extremely difficult and unstable international situation, they no longer want to talk about sovereignty. They no longer talk to me about wanting Quebec to be its own country. What they want to talk about is how we can work together to really make their lives better.
I understand that the raison d'être of the Bloc Québécois is to pick fights and keep raising the issue of sovereignty, but we, as proud Quebeckers and proud Canadians, will continue to work hard every day for all Quebeckers and all Canadians.
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- Oct/25/23 2:53:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am bit like those people. I am reluctant to talk to him about things he does not necessarily understand, but I have no choice. He does not want to provide an answer so I will answer for him. Quebec can and should become independent as soon as possible. He may agree or disagree, but he cannot deny that there are 125 members of the National Assembly of Quebec who have said that Quebec can be a viable country economically. The Prime Minister of Canada is too spineless to say anything.
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- Oct/25/23 2:53:42 p.m.
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I would like to once again remind members of something I said during my statement last week. It is very important not to question the courage of each hon. member here.
The right hon. Prime Minister.
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- Oct/25/23 2:54:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, according to the Bloc Québécois, sovereignty is urgent. They have been here in Ottawa for 30 years, and it has been urgent for 30 years. They keep trying to bring this up.
The reality is that we all have to work together to deliver for Quebeckers, to deliver housing, to deliver affordable groceries, to deliver a safer, cleaner planet. That is what we are working on. I work very well with the Government of Quebec and we will continue to do so. We will focus on Quebeckers' desire to build a better world, not the Bloc Québécois's desire to bicker.
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- Oct/25/23 2:54:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, after eight years in office, this Prime Minister is not worth the cost of inflation and interest rates.
Today, the Governor of the Bank of Canada noted three things in his report. First, inflationary risks have increased. Second, he is considering raising interest rates again, and third, the government's deficits and spending are driving up inflation, which is also increasing the risk of interest rate hikes.
Will the Prime Minister finally reverse his inflationary policies before Canadians start losing their homes?
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- Oct/25/23 2:55:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the Leader of the Opposition and I strongly disagree. At a time when Canadians are struggling and suffering, he is proposing cuts to services and to the help that we are offering. We will continue to be there for Canadians.
The Conservative Party will always choose austerity and budget cuts in difficult times. Such cuts would lead to longer wait times in emergency rooms, higher fees for child care services, uncertainty for seniors when they retire, and no action against climate change. That is an irresponsible approach, but it is the one the Conservative Party continues to offer.
We will be there to support people, to invest in their future and to help them now.
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- Oct/25/23 2:56:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the disagreement is not with me, but with the Governor of the Bank of Canada, who said today that government spending is driving up inflation. I know the Prime Minister loves to spend money. He has doubled our national debt and he is forcing Canadians to make the decision to cut their own spending.
Does the Prime Minister agree with the Governor of the Bank of Canada that this government's spending is driving up inflation? Yes or no?
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- Oct/25/23 2:56:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, we will always respect the independence of the Governor of the Bank of Canada.
As is clear from the public accounts, we have reduced the deficit without cutting the supports Canadians depend on. We have the lowest deficit in the G7 and the best net debt-to-GDP ratio, and we have maintained our AAA rating, all while inflation continues to fall.
We do not need the Conservatives' budget cuts. We can be there in a responsible way to help Canadians, create growth and maintain our fiscal responsibility. That is exactly what we are doing.
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- Oct/25/23 2:57:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, people are already making budget cuts in their personal lives. Given the 150% increase in monthly mortgage payments since this Prime Minister came to power, people are being forced to either leave their homes, live on the street or cut back on food. People are having to make these kinds of cuts because of the Prime Minister's policies.
Would the Prime Minister agree that this government's deficits are driving up inflation and interest rates on the backs of Canadians, yes or no?
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- Oct/25/23 2:58:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are facing a housing crisis. The Conservatives' solution is to reduce the government's investments in housing.
We are choosing a different solution. We are saying that in order to bring down housing prices, we need to build more housing. That is exactly what we are doing. For example, today the City of Kelowna will simplify its building permit process and allow for greater density near public transit, which will stimulate the construction of 20,000 new housing units over the next decade.
We are here to invest and create more housing, while the Conservatives are proposing austerity and budget cuts.
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- Oct/25/23 2:59:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, again we hear all of the Prime Minister's expensive promises that have not completed a single home. He mentions that I spent only $300 million on housing, but he had the number of houses built wrong. It was actually 200,000 homes that were built in the year I was housing minister, but we know that numbers are not his strength. This is the guy who thinks budgets balance themselves, who does not think about monetary policy and who doubled the debt, doubled housing costs and doubled rent.
What else is going to double before the Prime Minister realizes that he is just not worth the cost?
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- Oct/25/23 2:59:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows full well, and he can look in the history records, it was a $300-million program that delivered 99 homes.
The reality is that we are continuing to work hand in hand with municipalities, community leaders and non-profits across the country to move forward on building more homes and responding to the supply challenges. That is why, for example, we are removing GST from new apartment buildings. Unfortunately, the members opposite refuse to allow that bill to move forward, are continuing to block it and do not want to vote for it either.
We are going to be there to support Canadians every step of the way.
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- Oct/25/23 3:00:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the housing crisis in this country is deeply concerning. People are living in tents. People are living in cars. Now, in Saskatchewan, people are resorting to living in apartment lobbies. This is a direct result of the Liberals and the Conservatives, who have lost a million affordable homes over the past number of years. Even the Saskatchewan Landlord Association is calling for action.
When will the Prime Minister fix the mess he created and house people this winter?
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- Oct/25/23 3:01:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are working very closely with municipalities across this country on housing and homelessness, on building more homes and on improving supply.
In the member opposite's hometown of Brampton, our housing agreement will spur the construction of more than 24,000 homes over the next decade by allowing higher density housing near public transit. Other cities, like Richmond Hill, Moncton and Ajax, just this week are passing more ambitious housing plans at their local councils in response to federal leadership. In Moncton, Halifax, Kelowna and other places across this country, we continue to invest in agreements that are going to build more homes quicker to support Canadians and build a brighter future for everyone.
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- Oct/25/23 3:01:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is getting worse by the minute. This collective punishment has now claimed the lives of over 6,000 people. The 12-year-old daughter of one of my constituents remains stuck in Gaza, separated from both of her parents, and we have no information on her whereabouts.
We need more humanitarian aid and a response that is fair to both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. When will the government join New Democrats in calling for a ceasefire now?
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- Oct/25/23 3:02:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we unequivocally condemn Hamas's terrorist attack against Israel. We support Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law.
We are deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. As I said, there are ongoing diplomatic conversations about the consideration of humanitarian pauses, and that is something Canada supports.
Desperately needed humanitarian aid must reach vulnerable Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and Canada is working closely with partners to build a humanitarian corridor. Hamas must immediately release all hostages, and Canadians and foreign nationals who wish to leave Gaza must be allowed to do so.
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