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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:38:18 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives play partisan attacks, we focus on Canadians. We are actually moving forward with a $4-billion investment in municipalities to support the rapid advancement of housing and the building of supply. We are even working beyond the rapid housing initiative that we have moved forward. We have signed landmark deals with the provinces across the country on investing in housing. We will continue to be there for first-time homebuyers with a dedicated program and with the ability to reduce costs on closing for ownership. There are many initiatives we are putting forward because we know there is not one silver bullet to fix this. It is a comprehensive approach, and that is what we are doing.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:39:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the more the Prime Minister spends, the more it costs. Housing prices have gone from $450,000 under the last year of the Conservative government to $716,000 under the government, up 32% in just over a year. We now have the biggest housing bubble in the world outside of New Zealand, and Toronto and Vancouver are the fifth- and second-most expensive housing markets in the world, ahead of Manhattan, San Francisco, London and others. If the Prime Minister is not to blame, then exactly what is causing this housing price inflation?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:39:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, one has to at least recognize that the Conservatives are consistent in their approach and that they want to do less whenever they are confronted with a problem. Canadians are challenged with a housing crisis right now, and we are moving forward with programs to help first-time homebuyers and to invest money into municipalities so they can cut red tape and build more supply. We will work with the provinces on initiatives that are going to bring forward more housing and tie it into rapid transit. These are initiatives we are putting forward. The Conservatives answer, “Well, you have to do less.” That is unfortunately the kind of austerity that they continue to push, despite the fact that Canadians need help.

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Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:40:25 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives were in office, it cost less to own a home. The average family could buy a place for $450,000, not the $720,000 of today. Why are prices rising so suddenly? Well, the number of wealthy landlords buying houses went up by 100% since March 2020, according to the Bank of Canada. What happened in March 2020? That was when the government began printing money, flooding the mortgage system and ballooning housing costs. When will the Liberals stop flooding the market with cheap cash for wealthy landlords?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:41:09 p.m.
Watch

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I recommend that the member opposite take a careful look at the Bank of Canada's independent mandate around monetary policy, which on this side of the House we respect. Second, it is interesting that the member opposite brings up wealthy landlords, because the heart of the plan they put forward and he defended in the last election was about giving wealthy landlords a tax break to help them sell their buildings, with nothing for families, nothing for affordable housing. That was the Conservative plan, and again they are complaining that we are doing too much to help families. We will keep doing more.

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Mrs. Dominique Vien (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:41:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, while the Government of Quebec is pulling out all the stops and launching Opération main-d’oeuvre, a game plan to address the labour shortage, this government is just sitting on the sidelines and does not appear to understand the situation. Our companies are slowing down production, and that is because they do not have enough workers to fill the 280,000 jobs currently vacant in Quebec. Will the Prime Minister show some leadership, take a cue from Quebec, and take the labour shortage seriously?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:42:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, although the labour shortage is real, it was there before the pandemic began. That is why we have continued to boost federal immigration levels for the past several years. That is why we are going to keep making greater investments in immigration and job training in order to help young people who have been hit by the pandemic. We will invest in the growth of small businesses so that they can pay better wages. We will be there to help the economy rebound, and that means addressing the labour shortage.

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Mrs. Dominique Vien (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:43:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we do not want speeches and words; we want action. With respect to immigration, last week I told the House about Rotobec, a company in my riding that is currently trying to fill 30 jobs, including a dozen through immigration. It was confirmed to me today that, once again, Rotobec will have to wait months and months before it can fill these job vacancies and bring in these newcomers. What is the Prime Minister waiting for to help our businesses and finally take action to address the delays in processing immigrant worker applications?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:43:46 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to point out that my hon. colleague should talk to her hon. colleague from Carleton, who complains that we are doing too much. She wants us to do more. That is what we will continue to do. We recognize how important it is to invest even more in immigration and to speed up the arrival of new Canadians. Yes, for a year and a half, the pandemic forced us to close our borders, but we are going to catch up, bring more people into Canada, and create growth for everyone. We will work with Quebec and the other provinces to address the labour shortage.

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Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ)

Dec/1/21 2:44:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when the federal government banned irregular border crossings at Roxham Road, asylum seekers began to use other, more perilous routes, even if it meant putting themselves in danger. Something had to be done. What did the government do? Did it suspend the safe third country agreement so that asylum seekers could use regular, secure border crossings? No. Instead, it reopened Roxham Road. It reopened Roxham Road, so we are back to square one with the same situation as before the pandemic. Would the Prime Minister agree that that is not the solution?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:45:03 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with our American partners on matters pertaining to immigration and asylum seekers. We will be there to continue to manage the situation properly. Our government has maintained close contact with our provincial counterparts to prepare for this recent change at the border. We have procedures in place to ensure that asylum seekers are subject to strict public health measures, including quarantine and testing. Canada is committed to continuing to work with our counterparts to move forward.

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Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean, BQ)

Dec/1/21 2:45:44 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we have the solution and we are handing it to them. It is quite simple. Article 10.3 of the Safe Third Country Agreement states that the Prime Minister may unilaterally suspend the agreement for up to three months and renew this suspension for as long as necessary without asking for anyone's permission. It is safe for the asylum seekers, reassuring for Canadians, and it takes the pressure off Quebec, which, by the way, manages 97% of irregular asylum claims in Canada. Will the Prime Minister suspend the agreement instead of reopening Roxham Road and winding up with the same old problem?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:46:21 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, we are doing what is necessary to ensure the safety of all Canadians with respect to COVID-19 and to fulfill our international obligations with respect to asylum seekers. We are ensuring that we have the resources required to properly screen irregular asylum seekers and follow up. We will continue to work with the Government of Quebec and the U.S. government to ensure that the situation remains under control.

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Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:46:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadian companies are losing contracts around the world because the Liberals have failed to address the shipping container crisis, which worsens every single day. Agricultural products and manufactured goods are bottlenecked at ports in Vancouver and Montreal. The United States has taken action, and shipping routes are being rerouted from Canada to the United States. The Liberals are continuing to erode Canada's reputation as a reliable and trusted trading partner. Why has the Prime Minister refused to open an investigation under the Canada Transportation Act to resolve this crisis?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:47:30 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, COVID has disrupted supply chains. The recent extreme weather events in B.C. have further disrupted supply chains. It is why we have stepped up, including with an investment of our $4 million directly to the Port of Vancouver to help ease the backlog. We know there is more work to do in the short term and we are doing it with partners, including the Government of B.C., but there is also work to do in the long term. I know the members of the Conservative Party of Canada are beginning to understand we need to act with determination and solidity on the fight against climate change. I am glad to see them beginning to recognize that.

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Mr. John Barlow (Foothills, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:48:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this has nothing to do with climate change or global shipping lanes. The United States have resolved this crisis, and shipping lanes are now moving to the United States from Canada. I suppose the Prime Minister also thinks the ban on P.E.I. potatoes is a result of supply chains around the world. Hundreds of islanders have lost their jobs, and the livelihoods of farm families hang in the balance. Now they are told there is no guarantee this issue will be resolved before Christmas. This is unacceptable. When will the Prime Minister understand this is not a little potato problem but a big potato problem, and that our entire industry is at risk? When will he do something to address this export ban?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:48:49 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, islanders are suffering right now and are worried, and the Conservatives are making jokes. This is a very serious situation. We will continue to step up to defend Prince Edward Islanders and the potatoes they produce. It is why we have taken initiatives with the United States to put a hold on it, so that we remain in control of the situation. We have islanders' backs. We will continue to be there to fight for them, despite all the silly jokes made by the Conservatives.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:49:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, “a little bit concerned”. Those were the words of the Prime Minister when he was asked about President Biden's proposed tax rebate for electric cars that excludes the ones made right here in Canada. Is he “a little bit concerned” about the tens of thousands of Canadian jobs in jeopardy? Is he “a little bit concerned” about our second-largest export? The Americans are walking all over the Prime Minister. What is it going to take for him to show a lot of concern for the Canadians who are out of work because of his lack of courage?

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Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 2:50:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as we did for steel and aluminum workers with measures the Leader of the Opposition called dumb, we are continuing to stand up for Canada's electric vehicle industry and its workers. I raised the issue directly with President Biden and congressional leaders in Washington just a couple of weeks ago. I made it clear to them that this policy would have significant negative consequences, not just on Canada but on the U.S. auto industry. Canada and the U.S. have a shared priority of protecting our cross-border supply chains. We will keep pressing the United States on this important issue.

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Ms. Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill, CPC)

Dec/1/21 2:50:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this has nothing to do with supply chains. President Biden has enhanced the buy America measures, strengthened his protectionist agenda and raised tariffs on Canada. Under the Prime Minister, our relationship with our strongest ally has become our biggest failure. The Prime Minister went to Washington, lost the fight on lumber, lost the fight on farmers, is about to lose the fight on auto workers and did not even bother to put up a fight for the workers in the energy sector. Is the Prime Minister even trying anymore?

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