Senator Martin: Speaking of solutions, I have another issue to take up with you. According to information released on Monday from the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average cost of a home in the greater Vancouver area went up about 19% between April 2021 and April 2022. In other parts of British Columbia, the increase was even worse. Over the same time frame, home prices went up by a third on Vancouver Island and in the Chilliwack area, and by more than 35% in the Fraser Valley.

Leader, yesterday you mentioned the creation of a tax-free, first-home savings account. As I’m sure you know, your government admits that it won’t be available for another year. How does that help those who dream of owning their own home now, especially first-time homebuyers in B.C.?