Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, today, I’m going to give you an opportunity to provide a better answer than you did yesterday when I asked you about the lack of details on changes to the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. Last month’s budget provided no details on how the NDP-Liberal government will change this program or when these changes will be in effect.

This is a serious matter for Canadians. April’s record inflation, which Senator Plett referred to earlier, was largely driven by the cost of groceries and the cost of shelter. In fact, Statistics Canada revealed that in April, shelter costs rose at their highest pace since 1983 — almost 40 years ago.

Leader, when will Canadians learn how you will change the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive and on what date those changes come into effect?

Senator Gold: No, I don’t have the specific numbers, but thank you for raising it. It is the case that although we tend to think of pre-studies in terms of budget bills and supply bills, as I said in my speech, and as I’m sure you will make us aware when you do address us in debate, I do know that a significant number of pre-studies were done in non-budget bills. As I tried to underline in my speech, and I won’t repeat myself, they produced salutary results for the legislation and for Canadians, and did honour to the Senate in terms of its contribution to the policy debate.