Senator Martin: Mr. Ken Sim, the mayor-elect, did make history: he is the first Asian and Chinese-Canadian mayor of Vancouver. He brings renewed hope for the future to one of the greatest cities in Canada and the world.

Senator Gold, what exactly will the Trudeau government do to concretely help Mayor Sim reduce crime and build more affordable housing?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question is also for the Leader of the Government. This weekend, the voters of Vancouver sent a clear message: They are done with the radical policies of the Prime Minister and the NDP mayor. They are fed up with the violence, the overdose deaths and the overpriced housing market. Voters in Vancouver have said, “Enough.” They have fired the NDP mayor and rejected the radical policies — and, instead, they voted to remove the gatekeepers, build more affordable homes and bring in common sense laws to restore safe streets.

Senator Gold, will your government get the message and correct the failed policies that have contributed to the growing concerns of safety and security in the streets and communities of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Speaking of pipelines, Senator Gold, Canadians are trying to make ends meet amidst rising inflation rates and struggling to provide essentials like food for their families and filling up their cars. Global News reported today that tomorrow, on Thursday, Metro Vancouver gas prices will be 239.9 cents per litre, so $2.40 per litre, and will break an all-time record by three to four cents per litre for any city in North America. In Ontario, gas prices are significantly lower, with rates of $1.49 per litre, which is still high compared to other places. Leader, what is the government doing to help British Columbians and other provinces with skyrocketing fuel prices?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished Canadian, the late Ed Odishaw who passed away on June 3, 2022.

Ed Odishaw grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and attended the University of Saskatchewan. He studied law and became an accomplished lawyer, working in firms in Regina and later in Vancouver, B.C. He had a passion for law and helping others which allowed him to impact so many lives.

From a young age, Ed was interested in politics and learning about our parliamentary system. He was a dedicated and loyal member of the Conservative Party of Canada and a tireless volunteer, serving on his local electoral district association and active on many campaigns. He was proud to be Canadian and proud to be a Conservative.

He also served on the board of directors for the Canada Chinese Business Council, the Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia and the Sunny Hill Health Centre for children. Additionally, he was a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, The Vancouver Club, The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical Society, the Law Society of British Columbia and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Each of these groups represented a piece of him, his love for helping others, his hobbies, community and values. He was passionate, committed, loyal and genuine, and was a mentor, confidant and adviser to many.

Above all, he was a loving husband to his devoted wife of 40 years and life partner, Theresa. Together, they are doubly formidable and truly respected.

If— by Rudyard Kipling is a poem that encapsulates Ed Odishaw’s indomitable spirit perfectly. In fact, Theresa told me that he carried a laminated copy of it with him wherever he went. He had it in his pocket just in case someone needed a little help, motivation or reminder of life’s blessings.

It reads:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise . . .

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Theresa, and the entire Odishaw family. Although Ed is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in all those who were blessed to know him. He will be remembered as a kind man who lived his life with integrity, dignity and compassion.

Honourable senators, please join me in remembering and celebrating the life of the late Ed Odishaw. May he rest in peace.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate. General Wayne Eyre, the Chief of the Defence Staff, recently said the cost of living and challenges in finding affordable accommodations are the top issues he is hearing from Canadian Forces members around the country. The lack of available housing in British Columbia has gotten so bad that last month Royal Canadian Air Force members at CFB Comox on Vancouver Island were told to consider contacting Habitat for Humanity if they were having significant difficulty finding adequate housing.

Leader, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of Canadian families in need, but it’s the Government of Canada’s responsibility to support our military families. Why were they referred to a charity to find housing?

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.?