44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 21, 2022 11:00AM
Madam Speaker, I respect my hon. colleague and his comments on making sure we use time efficiently in the House. I will take his comment under advisement and discuss it with the government House leader.
Today is about making sure we can get Bill C-32 to committee so we can get back here for third reading, and then we would be able to get housing supports to people, get student loan interest removed for apprentices and students, reduce taxes on small businesses and do all the other good things for growing the economy that are included in the fall economic statement.
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- Nov/21/22 2:12:48 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General recently released a report, and the results are in: The federal government does not know if it is reducing chronic homelessness. Five years have gone by since the launch of the federal government's national housing strategy, yet there is no accountability for billions of dollars spent, while more and more people are living in tents and cars. This is unacceptable, and it is only getting worse right across Canada.
The federal government must develop a clear strategy with timelines and targets for ending chronic homelessness, including a definition with measurable targets. The Liberals' plan to announce large amounts of money with no follow-up and zero accountability is not working, and it is failing Canadians. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has already spent $4.5 billion and committed $9 billion more to tackle homelessness, but cannot conclude if any of those funds have made a measurable difference.
Canadians need leadership. Canadians need a plan. Canadians need homes built now. They cannot afford more of this wasteful and bad bureaucracy from the Liberal government.
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- Nov/21/22 2:50:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as Canadians continue to weather the post-pandemic storm, increased cost of living and housing affordability is top of mind in my community.
In Richmond Hill, emergency housing operators such as Blue Door and 360ºkids strive to help the most vulnerable children, youth and adults in the face of poverty vulnerability. This is why I was pleased to see the government take action in the new cost of living measures, including increased financial support through the Canada housing benefit, as a way of helping the most vulnerable in our communities.
Could the hon. Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion tell the House about the impact this support will have on the lives of—
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- Nov/21/22 2:51:31 p.m.
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The hon. Minister of Housing.
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- Nov/21/22 2:51:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his strong advocacy on this really important issue.
We understand, as a government, that Canadians are facing more pressures when it comes to paying the rent. That is why we introduced legislation to provide a top-up of $500 through the Canada housing benefit, a top-up that will help 1.8 million Canadian renters pay their rent. I am pleased to share with the House that this legislation has now received royal assent and payments will launch at the end of the year.
On this side of the House, Canadians know that our government always has their backs.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague underlined a few very crucial areas that Canadians are concerned about and that our government has moved forward with in the fall economic statement. Various decisions have been taken lately. One is with respect to housing. We brought forward the first national housing strategy, and we are seeing the rapid housing initiative move forward very quickly as well.
He talked about immigration, so I would like him to talk a bit about the opening up of the express entry, which will help identify the needs of Canadians to be able to fill the gap. Of the people coming in through immigration, 60% are already based on the needs of Canadians. There are some good measures in the fall economic statement. One that I would like the member to talk about is immigration.
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