Senator Loffreda: Thank you for that. Do you see any difficulty in converting some of that office space into homes for those who need housing? Office space can be very costly. Has any analysis been undertaken to study that issue and the problems that might arise?

[Translation]

Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Services and Procurement: Thank you very much. This gives me the opportunity to address a very important issue that many Canadians are concerned about. We’re in the midst of a housing crisis, similar to ones we’ve seen in other periods of Canadian history, including when veterans returned after the Second World War and following the baby boom in the early 1960s. We need to do everything we can to address it, and that includes, as you mentioned, making federal land or buildings available to Canadians, municipalities and non-profit organizations.

One way to do this is through the Federal Lands Initiative, which represents roughly $200 million from 2017 to 2026. So far, about half of that amount has already been committed for a total of 3,950 units that are completed, soon to be completed or under construction. About half of those units are affordable housing that will go to families, seniors or individuals in need of safe, affordable housing.

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Minister, we discussed the government’s intention to reduce real estate holdings. We know there is a plan that you will do so over 10 years, but that seems to be a long time. Is there any intention or effort to do it in a shorter time frame? We’re talking about homelessness in Canada and housing affordability — concerns that are major and important to Canadian citizens and communities. Is there any possibility of making that a little quicker than 10 years?

We know that to fix the housing crisis, we need quick and substantial actions in the short term but also investments in the longer term. We are in a world where the demographic changes will not stop. We have an aging population, smaller households on average, and the needs of Canadians and our seniors are also changing. This requires different types of housing units and locations in a manner that is protective of their safety and the health of their environment. It must be a longer-term plan, but it also has to be, as you said, a quick, expedited plan to support housing for Canadians.

Hon. Éric Forest: Minister, when it comes to the major challenge of renovating and converting federal government buildings, are the municipalities partners that you’re counting on to develop a strategy? The municipalities have an enormous responsibility when it comes to increasing the supply of affordable housing.