Thank you, Speaker. It truly is an honour to stand before you today, not only as the Associate Minister of Housing, but as a proud representative of Elgin–Middlesex–London, which I will speak about a little bit later on in my talk.

Let’s not mince words, Speaker: Ontario is facing a housing crisis the likes of which we have never seen. It isn’t just a headline. It’s the talk at dinner tables. It’s the talk at coffee shops, on soccer fields and in hockey arenas. It’s real, and it’s hitting our neighbours, our friends and our families very hard. But here’s the thing: We’re Ontarians and we face challenges head-on. We will face this one and win the day.

For too long, previous governments have been content with mere discussions, debates and deliberations. Under the steadfast leadership of Premier Ford and now Minister Calandra, we’re not just talking, we’re taking action. Our goal—yes, Speaker—1.5 million homes by 2031. We’re cutting through bureaucracy and red tape—the minister below—to get the shovels in the ground and get homes built faster.

While others are content with endless consultations and studies, which we seem to do as governments, we’ve been on the ground. We’ve been listening to the real concerns of Ontarians. We’ve taken their feedback and turned it into actionable policies, proving that we’re a government that acts and listens.

Everywhere I go, I hear the same story, and I think everyone here does as well: Families are priced out of their neighbourhoods, young couples delaying dreams because they can’t afford a home, seniors worried about rising rents. In fact, in my own hometown of Dorchester, Ontario, I talked to a number of people, a number of friends, a number of seniors who own a home, who have lived there for many years, raised their family. They want to downsize, but they can’t. Why? Because there isn’t inventory in the community that they live, that they want to stay living in, that they can move into—a smaller, more price-sensitive home so they can take part of the equity of their home and live a comfortable retirement. We need to change that. The problem here, Speaker, is supply, and we will change that supply.

And while some might wring their hands and offer platitudes, we’ve set an ambitious goal: 1.5 million homes. We’ve got to keep keeping the goal right in front of us, and we’re going to hit it. Contrast this to previous governments who were content with mere discussions and debates—I keep saying it because that’s what I’ve heard—leading to inaction as they’ve watched the crisis deepen, offering little more than band-aid solutions. We need more than that. We’re different. We’re here to build a stronger Ontario. We’re going to get it done, and that’s exactly what we’re in the process of doing.

Our government recognizes that housing is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s the foundation of our communities, of our families and of our future. While others may be content with inaction, we’re committed to making real change. The opposition often speaks of the need for change, as do we. But it is our government that has been at the forefront, pioneering innovative solutions and driving real progress in the housing sector. At every step of the way, we hear, “No.” We’re going to fight that, and we’re going to say, “Yes,” and get these houses built.

Since 2019, we’ve rolled out four housing supply action plans. Guess what, Speaker? They’re working. Don’t take my word for it; let the results speak for themselves. Because it’s results that count: nearly 100,000 homes in 2021 and another 100,000 in 2022. That’s the most in almost 30 years. We’re seeing results.

While other provinces are seeing a dip in housing starts this year, in 2023, Ontario is bucking the trend. Our starts this year are on the rise, but we’re not resting on our laurels. There is obviously much more work to do. While previous governments saw challenges, we see opportunities, and every disadvantage creates an opportunity. While they were bogged down in bureaucracy, we’ve been laser-focused on solutions. Our track record speaks volumes about our commitment to addressing this housing crisis head-on. We’ve not only set ambitious targets, but we’ve consistently worked toward achieving each and every one of them.

We’re launching the Building Faster Fund, as announced at AMO. This isn’t just some fancy name; it’s real money to help municipalities get their homes built. Think of it as a turbo boost to municipalities, giving them the resources they need to build homes faster, partnering with their community home builders.

The job is not done, Speaker. We’re not stopping there. We’re giving more power to the mayors: 21 more municipalities will get strong-mayor powers. They commit to our housing targets, and in return they get the tools to make things happen on the ground and in their backyards. This is about delivering more local solutions to achieve local challenges.

While the opposition often speaks of empowering municipalities, we’re the ones actually doing it. We’re not just providing funds; we’re providing the tools to get the job done, resources and the autonomy to make the decisions locally. Big government doesn’t always work. We need to empower our municipalities to get the job done in their local areas.

Previous governments have approached housing with a one-size-fits-all mentality. We recognize the diversity of our great province and understand that each municipality has its unique challenges and opportunities. Our approach is tailored, it’s flexible and, most importantly, it will be effective.

There are families in London, Ontario—I see the member from London West across—who, I think we all agree, have dreams of home ownership, but it’s priced right out of their range. With prices nearly doubling in the last five years in that community, that dream seems distant for so many. I’ll talk about my daughter, for instance. Many of her friends have that dream to buy a house in London; it just isn’t affordable. We have to not allow that dream to die. We have to fight hard for everyone’s daughters, for everyone’s sons, for everyone’s grandsons and granddaughters.

It’s not just buying. Rents have shot up by 90%. When our daughter moved home from Toronto to London, the rent she paid was almost the same as it was in Toronto. Having lived here only once in my life, in the last year—it was something I wasn’t sure I was going to do—but I couldn’t believe that the rent was almost the same as she was paying in Toronto. It’s supply. It’s not working. We have to change it.

While members of the opposition might be content with pointing fingers and laying blame, we’re really rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. The Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act is our blueprint for change. It’s our commitment to making housing affordable and accessible. That’s important, Speaker.

For years, previous governments have been content with short-term solutions, and we’re looking at the long game here. We need to be proactive. We’re changing that narrative. We’re putting forward comprehensive, long-term strategies that will address the root causes of this housing crisis—again, in my lifetime at least, the likes of which we’ve never seen.

Our approach is holistic, Speaker. We’re not just looking at housing prices; we’re looking at the entire housing ecosystem. From developers to renters, from urban centres to rural towns and villages, we’re ensuring that every Ontarian has a fair shot at some point of owning their own home. We’re going to roll up our sleeves, diving deep into the complexities of the housing market and crafting policies that make a tangible difference.

We’re not just about building homes; we’re about building communities because, really, that’s what housing is all about: places where families can grow, where children can play safely and where seniors can live with dignity. This holistic approach sets us apart from previous administrations that often missed the forest for the trees. While I totally believe in infill—go in and go up; I totally believe in that where we can—I still believe we have to keep the dream of home ownership, where people can raise their family and have a dream of a backyard, a fence, a sandbox where their kids can play, because I think it’s wrong just to think everyone can live in towers in big large cities in this province. That dream has to stay alive.

Our government understands that housing affordability isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about the quality of life, the dreams of our youth and the security of our seniors. We’ve introduced the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act and, if passed, it will make it less expensive and easier to build affordable homes. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about helping Ontarians find a home based on their household income, and this is an important part of this legislation.

We’re proposing to redefine what “affordable” means. It’s not just about market rates; it’s about what people can genuinely afford on their income. This approach reflects the ability of local households to pay for housing and recognizes the diversity of housing markets in every municipality and every community across this province.

Now, let’s talk for a minute about St. Thomas. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing cited me to talk about it, and that is what I will do. The city of St. Thomas is on the cusp of a transformative moment. We spoke here last year—or last spring and last winter—about PowerCo and the Volkswagen Group, which have chosen St. Thomas to build a large-scale electric-vehicle-battery-cell manufacturing facility. In fact, Speaker, it will be the largest in the world. We’re incredibly supportive of this historic investment to build an EV-battery-cell manufacturing facility right in St. Thomas.

But this isn’t just about batteries, Speaker. It’s about jobs, and thousands of them. Think about it: 3,000 direct jobs are going to be employed right at that plant—3,000. But the best part of the story is that there are going to be 30,000 jobs outside in tertiary jobs supporting through the supply chain of this facility. And those aren’t just going to be in St. Thomas and Elgin county. They’re going to be spread out throughout this province. From the Ring of Fire right down to Windsor, we have a province that’s on the cusp of great economic growth, and as the minister spoke earlier, what do we needed to do to complement that growth? We need to make sure that people coming to our communities, coming to our province, coming to work and live and raise their families have a home over their head.

We are also looking at efficiencies at the municipal level. We’re engaging with municipalities to ensure they can benefit from provincial supply chain programs and strategies led by Supply Ontario. And to further support housing, we’re consulting on regulatory changes to streamline hearings and speed up decisions at the Ontario Land Tribunal.

We’re not just thinking about the present, Speaker; we’re planning for the future—a future where Ontario is a global leader in innovation and sustainable housing development. The More Homes Built Faster Act was a step in the right direction. We’ve listened to the people, and we’re refining our approach. We’re incorporating income factors into the definition of affordable residential units. This is about making sure homes are genuinely affordable for Ontarians. We’ve engaged with stakeholders, received hundreds of comments and established a technical advisory table system. We’ve listened; we’re acting. We’ve been listening. We’ve heard these stories, the struggles and the hopes. We’re redefining “affordable.” Again, it’s not just about market prices; it’s about real people and real incomes. “Affordable” shouldn’t just be a buzzword. It should mean homes that real Ontarians can afford.

Again, I’ll share an example. A couple of weeks ago. I was in Toronto with my wife. We were having dinner, and a bright young woman was serving us, doing a great job. We got speaking, and she told me about where she was living. She was renting a room in a two-bedroom apartment. As we talked about housing, she broke down and cried. It was an emotional moment. Her tears were really about not being able to ever afford to buy a home, and consequently—what I think bothered her the most, and my wife was crying along with her—was that she said, “I’ve given up the dream of having a family because I can’t afford to raise them in a proper way.” That’s not only wrong, Speaker; it needs to be corrected, and this bill and our actions in this government is going to do our best to make sure that her dream can come true. We have a duty to change this around.

For those wondering about the 25-year affordability period, we’ve got it covered. Home builders will need to enter into an agreement with municipalities to ensure that these units remain affordable. This, again, is about long-term solutions, not about short-term fixes.

We’re going to slash red tape. We’ve been doing that. We’re proposing discounts and exemptions on development-related fees for homes, so they can become truly affordable. This is more about policy and about reigniting the dream of home ownership for everyone who lives in this province. We’re not just redefining terms; we’re reshaping the housing landscape in Ontario. We’re making bold changes, informed by real feedback from the people of this province.

Last year, we took a bold step with the More Homes Built Faster Act. We introduced exemptions from municipal charges for affordable homes. We’re building on that foundation, ensuring that “affordable,” again, isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a reality. We promised exemptions on affordable homes, and this we will deliver.

Our approach is comprehensive. We’re looking at every aspect of the housing sector, identifying bottlenecks and addressing them head-on. We’re not just focused on the supply side, although it’s important; we’re also addressing demand, ensuring that every Ontarian can find a home that fits their budget. Again, whether you’re renting a home or whether you’re trying to buy a home or stay in your home, we have to cater to every segment in the market.

We’ve been on the ground, listening to Ontarians. We’ve consulted far and wide. Over 300 comments from the people of this great province have been delivered, and we’re acting on them. We’ve heard from the experts, as well, from every corner of this industry, and the message is clear, Speaker: We need homes that are both affordable and attainable, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.

We’ve been on the ground, listening to Ontarians. We’ve consulted far and wide. And we’re adjusting our definition of affordable housing based on real feedback. And we’re not just stopping at affordable: Beyond affordable, we’re focused on “attainable.” Every Ontarian, whether a teacher, a nurse, a farmer or a factory worker, should have a shot at owning their own property, owning their own home. We’re in the early stages of an affordable housing program we’re talking about here today and we’re in the early stages of an attainable housing program. Speaker, I promise you this: It’s going to be a game-changer when completed, and I’m excited about the potential that it holds.

Remember, this just isn’t about bricks and mortar; it’s about aspirations. It’s about the promise of a dream come true. We’re laying the foundation for a future where every Ontarian can dream to own a home. We have to make that dream come true, and I know I share with everyone in this House and our government that it has to come true for everyone. This is not a partisan event. This really is a pan-Ontario problem that we have to solve together.

So we’ve listened, we’ve heard the concerns, and let us be clear: We’re going to keep cutting red tape, we’re going to keep reducing costs and we’re going to make it more affordable for our community home builders to build housing. So we’re calling on everyone—governments, municipalities, and again, community home builders, our private sector—to step up and help get the job done.

Again, let’s not be too partisan, but while the opposition may constantly raise doubts, we’re raising roofs. We’re raising roofs—not just for certain people, but for seniors. We’re raising roofs for first-time homebuyers. We’re going to raise roofs for the newcomers. We’re going to raise roofs for students and those who need supportive housing. So, Speaker, we’re not just talking, we’re delivering, and we’re doing it with a sense of urgency and commitment that was sorely lacking in previous administrations.

We’re also thrilled about the federal government’s decision to remove the GST from purpose-built rentals. The minister, earlier, spoke to this, the purpose-built rental housing. This is a game-changer, again, and we will work with Ottawa to ensure Ontario’s portion of the HST is removed as soon as possible. We’re not just addressing concerns; we’re providing solutions—solutions that are grounded in reality, informed by experts and driven by the need of all the people in this province.

Serving as Associate Minister of Housing isn’t just a role. I see it as a responsibility, as I know everyone does in this government. We’re here to solve the housing crisis and ensure every Ontarian has a roof over their head. The Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act is our roadmap. With it, we’re one step closer to our ambitious goal of 1.5 million homes by 2031. With the support of this Legislature, we’re going to make this vision a reality.

We are committed to building a brighter and more prosperous Ontario for all, an Ontario where every family can have a place to call home, where every child can grow up in a safe and nurturing environment and where every senior can retire with dignity and security. Together, we will build a brighter, more prosperous Ontario for all, an Ontario that leads by example, that sets the gold standard for housing policy and that puts the needs of its people first.

To conclude, again I want to emphasize, this is a great bill, a great piece of legislation coming forward. It complements the other pieces of legislation we brought forward last year, and I know that when the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing speaks, he will complement both the words and the policies that the minister and myself have said. To conclude, I believe this is bold, innovative legislation that will help build a pathway to housing stability and home ownership. Again, I’ll repeat that: This is bold, innovative legislation that will help build a pathway to housing stability and home ownership. With that, Speaker, I am now honoured to hand it over to the member from Perth–Wellington, our dedicated parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.