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Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Hochelaga, Lib.)

Mar/3/22 2:12:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as International Women's Day approaches, I would like to remind everyone that we still need to fight to preserve women's rights and to advance women's equality and equity. In crisis situations, women are hit the hardest. Today, all eyes are on Ukraine. The first images we are seeing of this war show wounded women, women giving birth in subway stations, and female elected officials, teachers and mothers taking up arms and risking their lives to defend their country. The courage, resilience and determination of these women should inspire us all. Let us salute their courage as they fight for democracy. They are an example to us all. I would like to close by acknowledging the outstanding work of the women in our government who are playing key roles in managing the global crisis: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defence and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. It makes me so proud to see these women holding important leadership roles.

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Context: House Hansard - 40 - Mar/3/22

Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing), Lib.)

Mar/3/22 6:43:31 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from King—Vaughan for raising the important issue of housing. The government's primary objective is to help Canadians meet the challenges they are currently facing. We have not stopped investing in affordable housing since we first came to power. I am proud of the record we have to show Canadians. We have worked hard to house Canadians across the country. Many Canadians struggle with housing and affordability. This is why the government is making sure that all Canadians have a safe and affordable home. As we grow, it is essential that the housing supply grows along with us. We have grown investments in affordable housing. We recognize that there is still much to be done, including building more housing every year, increasing the number of affordable housing units and putting an end to chronic homelessness. The government is committed to working with its partners to deliver concrete results. We recognize that buying a home is especially hard for young people in this country and that the housing market is also creating wealth inequality between the older and younger generations. I only have to think of my brother, who cannot buy a home right now. We are going to do this for him and for all young people across the country. Our government wants to help. That is why we are bringing in a more flexible first-time homebuyer incentive program. Additionally, to help renters work towards buying a home, we will explore establishing a fund to design and increase rent-to-own projects across the country. We are also reducing closing costs for first-time homebuyers. All this is made possible by our national housing strategy, a $72‑billion, 10-year plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home. We have a whole host of programs in place under the national housing strategy that are getting results. Last week, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, hosted the virtual 2022 National Housing Supply Summit. Over 300 people from across the country took part in the innovative discussions on housing supply challenges and solutions. I would like to reassure my esteemed colleague opposite: Off camera, by which I mean our computer cameras, there was a lot of discussion about innovation. Our government is going to make significant investments, and we are going to continue to invest in housing because we all believe—and I hope the opposition will be on board—that everyone deserves a chance to succeed and thrive, and part of that is having a roof over our heads.

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Context: House Hansard - 40 - Mar/3/22

Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada

Mar/3/22 6:47:37 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, once again, we recognize the challenges Canadians are facing. We recognize that the cost of living is going up, that the cost of property is going up, and that the cost of housing specifically is a big challenge right now. We are committed to building a stronger housing system. As I said earlier, this is a program that will enable renters to become homeowners. The national housing strategy will allow us to step up our efforts. I hope we can count on the support of the official opposition this time for the programs that are coming.

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