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House Hansard - 329

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 11, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 329 - Jun/11/24
Mr. Denis Trudel (Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, BQ)
  • Jun/11/24 1:39:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke at length about housing. It is indeed a major problem. The housing crisis in Quebec and Canada is really two crises in one. There is the problem of availability, meaning the ability to find a home, and the problem of affordability, which is a very serious issue. Let me give an example. Right now, most federal programs result in the construction of housing units at 80% of market cost. As a result, we are collectively paying taxes to build one-bedroom units in Longueuil that cost $1,300 to rent and two-bedroom units in Montreal that cost $2,000 to rent. That is absolutely unacceptable. We are paying too much for housing units that are too expensive. We do not know who can afford to live in them. I recently spoke with the Minister of Housing. He is open to the idea of reviewing the concept of affordability in the federal programs to stop funding $1,300 or $2,000 units. What does my colleague think of that? Does he not think that it is about time we really started funding social housing for the most disadvantaged Canadians, single mothers, victims of domestic violence, all of those people living in tent cities across the country? We need to fund housing so that they can have somewhere to live.
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Context: House Hansard - 329 - Jun/11/24
Mrs. Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country, CPC)
  • Jun/11/24 3:03:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, during a housing crisis, the Liberal finance minister is making things worse. The new capital gains tax will kill investments in Canada and drive up the cost for those who provide housing. Rental experts are saying that the consequences of this tax hike would be disastrous in the short, medium and long term, citing concerns for viability of long-term investment. This will lead to fewer places to rent and more costs to renters. Canadians are already facing the highest average asking rent ever. So, how is it fair that the Liberals are putting the brakes on new housing when Canadians can barely afford to rent?
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