//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1545)[Translation]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.[English]Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, but as we have seen in communities across our country, far too many Canadians face the daily unacceptable reality of experiencing homelessness. Homelessness affects every community in Canada. It is a grim reality for far too many Canadians. It preys on the most vulnerable amongst us, casting a shadow over their lives.[Translation]Homelessness ultimately has an impact on all of us. It leaves an enduring mark on all of our communities. As a government, we have recognized this and we have heeded the call to action.[English]The Government of Canada, recognizing the urgency of the matter, has responded through Reaching Home, Canada's homelessness strategy. Launched in 2019, the program committed $2.2 billion to address homelessness across the country. It has now grown to almost $4 billion in funding. Budgets 2021 and 2022 strengthened this initiative to further empower communities so that they can better address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.[Translation]Reaching Home is the embodiment of hope—a community-based program that empowers urban, Indigenous, rural and remote communities to help them address local homelessness needs.(1550)[English]The Government of Canada supports communities in establishing “coordinated access”, an integrated systems-based approach that prioritizes assistance for those in greatest need to ensure that they find suitable housing and comprehensive services.The impact of Reaching Home is tangible. It is felt within our communities every day. In just the first three years, Reaching Home has funded over 5,000 projects across the country, helping to place more than 46,000 people experiencing homelessness in permanent housing. Moreover, over 87,000 people in need benefited from prevention and shelter diversion services through the program's support.As part of our government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reaching Home, with increased funding, created over 26,000 temporary accommodation spaces. These spaces provided crucial shelter for Canadians, offering them a lifeline during a time of social distancing. In total, more than 214,000 temporary accommodation placements were made to support individuals in need, when it was needed most.That is the impact that Reaching Home is having across the country. It is playing a key role to support our national housing strategy's target of reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by 2027. We have committed further to ending chronic homelessness by 2030. This is the goal that is at the heart of the national housing strategy, a bold 10-year plan backed by an $82-billion investment to ensure that more people in Canada have a safe and affordable place to call home. The national housing strategy is built on strong partnerships between the Government of Canada, provinces and territories, and on continuous engagement with partners, including municipalities, indigenous governments, the private sector and non-profit organizations.[Translation]The strategy is the largest, most ambitious federal housing program in Canada's history, and strives to create livable communities for families and individuals. It's a comprehensive approach to addressing housing needs head-on.[English] The NHS supports the creation of new affordable homes and purpose-built rental homes, and it preserves, repairs and revitalizes community housing while also committing funding to the needs of vulnerable populations.To address the overrepresentation of indigenous peoples among those experiencing homelessness, Reaching Home has invested $370 million since 2019 to indigenous-led and culturally relevant programs and services. This includes funding for 37 urban, rural and remote communities under the indigenous homelessness stream. It also includes funding for distinctions-based approaches co-developed with national indigenous organizations and modern treaty holders to address the specific needs of first nations, Métis and Inuit across the country.The success of the national housing strategy hinges upon the strength of our partnerships. It is continuously informed by extensive consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, especially those with lived experience of housing need.The Government of Canada is investing $18.1 million over three years to conduct action research on chronic homelessness. We stand in support of participating communities in the effort to identify and document persistent barriers to preventing and reducing chronic homelessness.[Translation]In addition, we are piloting innovative potential approaches that address these barriers head-on. The research findings obtained will help us to develop strategies and identify pathways to ending chronic homelessness in communities across Canada.[English]Homelessness does not discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life. Whether they are seniors, youth, individuals with disabilities, veterans or families, no one should face the reality of being without a home.According to census 2021, there were an estimated 460,000 Canadian veterans, with over 2,500 experiencing homelessness. That's why last month Infrastructure Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada jointly announced the launch of the new veteran homelessness program. This $79.1-million program is about providing veterans with rent supports, rental supplements and wraparound services that meet their particular needs. It is also about building capacity for veteran-serving organizations so that they can engage in research on veteran homelessness to deepen our understanding of this issue and improve our programs and services.We will bring an end to chronic homelessness in Canada, Mr. Chair. It will end through programs like the national housing strategy and Reaching Home, through initiatives like the veteran homelessness program, and through dedicated service, research and support to identify and address the root causes of homelessness.Most importantly, it will end through strong partnerships. We can't do it alone. We have to continue to work with other levels of government, indigenous organizations and communities across the country.(1555)[Translation]Together with our partners, we are improving housing outcomes and reducing homelessness for Canada's vulnerable populations.[English]Budget 2023 reaffirmed the Government of Canada's commitment to the things that matter most to Canadians, such as making housing more affordable, fighting climate change and creating good, well-paying jobs. Through these impactful programs and the strong partnerships that I just spoke about, we will continue to make housing more affordable and end chronic homelessness in Canada.We are committed to addressing homelessness. Our commitment is steadfast and unwavering. Everyone deserves a place to call home and a place to feel safe and secure. Every Canadian deserves a place to build a better life.Thank you, Mr. Chair.COVID-19Government assistanceGovernment expendituresHomelessness and homelessHousingIndigenous peoplesNational Housing StrategyPandemicReaching HomeReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessVeteran Homelessness ProgramVeteransJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]I think what I get from that monologue is a conflating of a number of things. You're mixing homelessness with housing prices and—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]No, I'm suggesting that we have different programs for different things. You're conflating what the Auditor General actually said with everything else that we do. I want to provide a few numbers to you so that you can have a better sense of the actual impact that these programs have. I think the concern of the Auditor—Consumer priceHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]I thought you wanted answers to your questions.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]If you want a monologue, I can just stay out of it.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]For you to ask a question, you have to listen to the answer.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]I'm actually trying to give you the results, but you won't let me.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1555)[English]You won't let me give you the results. These are results: 87,000 people were prevented from entering homelessness because of our investments. These are results: 46,000 people who were already experiencing homelessness were provided with permanent housing solutions through Reaching Home. These are results. I think what you're confusing it with—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]I'm trying to answer, but you won't let me.KellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]I guess you want a monologue for your clip, so go ahead. No problem.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]I didn't interrupt the honourable member, Mr. Chair, but—JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]I think the philosophical problem here is that we're actually trying to do something about the problem and you don't even acknowledge that it exists. Your housing plan doesn't have the word “homelessness” in it. How can you sit there and—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]No, no, but I'm trying to answer your question, and I'm giving you our results. You won't let me.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]Absolutely—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]No, I'm trying to provide the results of the work that we've been doing over the years—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]—and I gave you the numbers. One is 87,000 people prevented from joining homelessness, and 46,000 people diverted away from homelessness into permanent housing. That's results—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestKellyMcCauleyEdmonton West//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]Thank you very much.Mr. Chair, I want to thank the honourable member for pointing out the success of our efforts, which are based on really trusting the communities. When you look at the over 5,000 projects delivered by over 1,000 community organizations across the country, we provide them the support, but they're the ones who are on the front lines providing these services, and these services are making a difference.I think what the Auditor General highlighted was that we need to do more work to enable those organizations to build the capacity to collect more granular data on the impact they're having on the ground, but make no mistake: These programs are making a difference. Particularly, they performed even better than expected during COVID. They saved a lot of lives by introducing health measures, procuring more space, procuring PPE and health professionals and enabling people to actually stay safe during that really difficult time.We will continue working with those grassroots organizations. As I said, they deliver 5,000 projects across the country, but we also have to have permanent housing solutions. Through programs like the rapid housing initiative, we've been able to provide 100% capital funding to build deeply affordable homes for the most vulnerable: people who are either experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. We've been able to provide funding for the rapid construction of units that are then supported through wraparound supports by other orders of government or other partners.That model really works, and it has resulted in a lot of people being able to find deeply affordable homes and being taken off the streets.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessManinderSidhuBrampton EastManinderSidhuBrampton East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1605)[English]That's a very good question.I think a lot of this will be encouraged even further with the housing accelerator fund. This is the first program in the national housing strategy that will directly invest in the system changes that are necessary to unlock additional housing supply. We will be investing directly in efforts to improve and speed up the permitting and delivery of housing of all types, including affordable housing, but also more rental housing and more home ownership options.We will do that by partnering with municipalities and other orders of government that are responsible for the permitting and delivery of housing to help them get there, because we need more supply. We need a healthier mix of housing and we need more affordable housing. To get there, we recognize that we're not the only partner in this, but we are ready and able to invest in the ability and the capacity of local governments to do more.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingHousing Accelerator FundReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessManinderSidhuBrampton EastManinderSidhuBrampton East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1605)[English]There is absolutely a lot of effort being made by local governments to speed up the permitting process, the delivery of housing, but also to adopt inclusionary zoning policies that will encourage more density and a healthier mix of housing. It's also focusing on transit-oriented development, building more densely around transit nodes so that you take advantage of access to transit and other community services. I think the housing accelerator fund will definitely help with all those efforts that are already under way. Recently, the City of Toronto passed a council resolution that allows single-family homes to build up to four units in a multiplex fashion across the city, as a right. That's a big step forward. A number of other communities are taking similar approaches. We need more housing supply in Canada. We have the fastest-growing population in the G7. We have a very low housing supply of all types. We need to encourage that, and the housing accelerator fund will help us get there. Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingHousing Accelerator FundReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessManinderSidhuBrampton EastJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1610)[Translation]Right now, Canada is building about 200,000 units a year, but we know that's not enough to meet the demand for affordable housing. That's why the 2022 budget introduces measures so we can double that number over the next decade. More than $14 billion in additional federal funding has been allocated to help create more housing.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1610)[Translation]We will double the number of housing units.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1610)[Translation]We will build 3.5 million housing units.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1610)[Translation]Absolutely.[English] When you add the private sector and our efforts, it's 3.5 million additional homes. Just to add to what Ms. Nadine said, with the housing accelerator fund, the 100,000 figure is just the immediate acceleration and the unlocking of that, but the systems changes that the program will fund over five years are supposed to set Canada up for a doubling of the number of homes that we currently build. That's the plan, and the idea is that those systems changes will outlive the program.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English]I think you're referring to the 150,000 for affordable housing, not all the homes. I think that's what you're referring to. Is that correct?Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English]That's not true. The national council, for example, said that the rapid housing initiative was the most affordable program. They also acknowledge that although the national housing co-investment fund is building affordable housing, it should go deeper than that, so they asked us to do more. They didn't say we're not doing anything. Let's be honest about this.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English]There are a number of factors that contribute to homelessness in Canada, yes.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English]Yes, absolutely.Homelessness and homelessHousingIndigenous peoplesReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]Of course. Family and child welfare services and the systems around that are one of the pipelines into homelessness. You recognize that our government has done a lot of work in that space. Although it's mainly a provincial matter, we have taken that on. It is not true, as you say, that we're just building homes. Reaching Home is about the services. These are 5,000 projects that include employment supports. It includes counselling, mental health supports. It includes addiction supports.Care for childrenHomelessness and homelessHousingIndigenous peoplesReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]No, there's always more work to be done.Homelessness and homelessHousingIndigenous peoplesReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]I want to correct you there. These programs are delivered by organizations on the ground, not by CMHC.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]No, but this is the second time you've talked about how the people on the street don't trust CMHC. These are 1,000 community organizations across the country that have credibility—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English] I just want to correct something you said. You said that—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]I just want you to acknowledge that there are 5,000 community-owned projects that are delivered by 1,000 organizations on the ground, not by CMHC. By the way, we do have a dedicated indigenous homelessness stream delivered by indigenous governments and communities. We are already implementing a number of the recommendations of the Auditor General, including expanding coordinated access.Is there more to be done? Absolutely. Are child and welfare services a pipeline to homelessness? For sure, and we have to deal with that, but to suggest that somehow CMHC is the bureaucratic entity that is delivering these services is not true.Mr. Blake Desjarlais: That's what the Auditor General—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]Yes.Homelessness and homelessHousingNational Housing StrategyReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]That's correct.Audits and auditorsHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]In collaboration with our partners, yes.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1625)[English]The main point that I want to start off with is that housing is not just a federal responsibility. We have a role. We have a leadership role. We have a resource role to invest. We have a partnership role, but we're not the only players in this space.Building and construction industryHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1625)[English] Chronic homelessness and homelessness in general are two different things. We have committed to cutting chronic homelessness in half by 2027-28 and then eliminating chronic homelessness by 2030. That's our focus.Of course, our programs, and the 5,000 projects that I mentioned, are available to anyone who's either experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. It's the same thing with the rapid housing initiative. The key to our focus is chronic homelessness.For example, even among the veteran population—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1625)[English]First of all, we had a once-in-a-lifetime event called the pandemic that we went through. I'm glad that our investments were able to save lives among people experiencing homelessness. They were able to get more PPE. They were able to get more spaces. They were able to procure—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1625)[English]Look, I'm trying to finish my answer.I'll just end by saying that we recognize it's a problem. We are committed to a program to end chronic homelessness. You don't even have homelessness in your plan. You have a housing plan that doesn't even have the word “homelessness” in it.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1630)[English]I think it's important to recognize that when people are taken off the street and are provided permanent housing solutions, they tend to do better. They restart their lives. They have stability. Their health improves. They're able to go back to work or to school, or to pursue a business opportunity and so on. It's not only better for that community but also better for all of us. Those individuals tend to have fewer interactions with the criminal justice system, with the law enforcement system, with the health care system. Overall, as a society, it is not only humane and proper to house homeless individuals but also better for our long-term fiscal framework. In other words, society does better when we are all doing better. By the way, those shelters are supposed to be a temporary solution. They're not meant to be a permanent housing solution for those individuals, but they're necessary. They're supposed to be a stage in a continuum of providing permanent housing, eventually, for individuals. That's why I think the rapid housing initiative—which has, by the way, delivered a number of really good, affordable units in Scarborough—is so effective. It gives people the next stage of permanent housing beyond shelters. The last time I was in Scarborough to announce a rapid housing project, the neighbourhood initially had some concerns, but the people came around. These were, in particular, rapid housing units dedicated to men experiencing addictions and mental health challenges. People recognized that these men—this population of people who were sleeping on the streets—were better off in permanent housing with the right supports around them, and it was not only better for them but also better for the community.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessSheltersJeanYipScarborough—AgincourtJeanYipScarborough—Agincourt//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1630)[English]We indeed do work with all orders of government. We welcome those partnerships. Through the national housing strategy, for example, we fund provincial priorities, which includes federal money to help provinces maintain, renew and rejuvenate their community housing stock and build new units.I think the rapid housing initiative is a good example of where the federal government provided 100% capital, and then the provinces, or in some cases a particular non-profit or municipality, provided the wraparound supports for people who were experiencing homelessness and who were given permanent housing solutions.Cities and townsFederal-provincial-territorial relationsHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessJeanYipScarborough—AgincourtJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1635)[Translation]Quebecers struggling with the cost of rent need help. We've invested $454.3 million to provide 145,000 Quebec households with monthly assistance under the Canada-Quebec housing agreement.We're also taking action by providing an additional $500 to those and other eligible families. This amount will be paid to 1.8 million Canadians, including 467,000 Quebec households.Government facilitiesHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessNathalieSinclair-DesgagnéTerrebonneJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1635)[Translation]Yes, absolutely.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessNathalieSinclair-DesgagnéTerrebonneJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1635)[English]First of all, I would say that I did provide as many answers as possible in the previous round, so I reject that assertion.In terms of Edmonton, we've invested in all three rounds of the rapid housing initiative. We were able to select Edmonton as one of the cities that would receive money under the city stream of the rapid housing initiative, and also the project stream, so I expect that the third round would be exactly the same. We have a good record of collaboration and support to Edmonton. The same goes for—EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]For which project? You'd have to give me details on the project.EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]Please provide details.EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English] You will have to provide details about the project. I don't know what project the member is referring to. I'm happy to support the member's request—EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]Okay.EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton Griesbach//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]Well, I do, about—Mr. Blake Desjarlais: —but I will now move—Hon. Ahmed Hussen: You will have to provide details.EdmontonHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessBlakeDesjarlaisEdmonton GriesbachJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]First of all, I never said that we've done enough. I clearly said that we've done a lot but there's more work to be done. That's number one.Number two, our programs are impacting people. The Auditor General pointed to a lack of adequate data from the organizations. We're working with them to get that data and to better report.Homelessness and homelessHousingPerformance managementReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Mr. Chair, I keep hearing the opposition trying to get these sound bites without really even acknowledging—Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessSocial housingRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Well, I'm trying to answer the question, if I may.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessSocial housingRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Let me know when I can answer your question. You've been interrupting me—RickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Can I answer your question or are you going to keep interrupting me?RickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Okay, I will answer your question if you stop interrupting me.The fact of the matter is that the fundamental difference between you and your party and the rest of us here is that you don't believe in Canadians' right to housing, a basic human right.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessSocial housingRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]No, actually, you don't. I asked you that—Civil and human rightsHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]—throughout the night and you refused to answer, all of you. You never accepted that Canadians have a right, a human right to housing.Civil and human rightsHomelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]You never accepted it.Homelessness and homelessHousingReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. MargaretsRickPerkinsSouth Shore—St. Margarets//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Oh, absolutely, but I'm also trying to answer the question.JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Mr. Chair, I think I can figure out how to answer questions. I appreciate your help, but I don't need it. Thank you very much.JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]No, I made my response. Thank you.JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]I did respond. I just said I don't need your help.JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1655)[English]Before I turn it to the officials.... Different programs have different levels of affordability attached to them because they target different people. Look at, for example, the rental construction financing initiative. That's the program that talks about 80% of market rent, whereas the co-investment fund is explicitly talking about 30% or less of household income.Homelessness and homelessHousingIncome and wagesReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessMikeMorriceKitchener CentreMikeMorriceKitchener Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1655)[English]The question suggests that we then, for example, shouldn't purposely build rentals for police officers, paramedics or teachers. People are being increasingly priced out of the rental markets in the cities they work in. We need to have a national housing strategy that, yes, focuses a lot on the most vulnerable, but we also need more rental supply. Part of the RCFI is about doing that: building more rental supply, but also putting some affordability there—not as deep as, for example, the rapid housing initiative. You need to have a national housing strategy that meets the needs of Canadians on different parts of the housing spectrum. It's difficult to say that people who work in our cities and who are being priced out of the rental market don't also need help with rentals. That's what we're trying to do.Homelessness and homelessHousingLow incomeReport 5, Chronic HomelessnessMikeMorriceKitchener CentreJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1700)[English]Mr. Chair, I didn't intend to disrespect you. I was trying to say that I was finished with my answer. It was not directed towards you, and if it came across like that, I do apologize.JohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick SouthwestJohnWilliamsonNew Brunswick Southwest//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1700)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.[English]Thank you for welcoming me today. I am pleased to be here to outline the plans of our government for housing, supported by the supplementary estimates (B) referred to this committee.We know that far too many people in Canada struggle to find a home that is affordable and that meets their needs. Quite simply, it is a struggle that should not be there. Every time someone is forced to choose between paying for food and paying for shelter, or is forced to live in unlivable conditions, we all suffer. It is everyone's problem, because everyone benefits from a housing system that is fair and that leaves no one behind.When we provide people with suitable homes, they succeed, and when they succeed, we all succeed. It is our government's view that every dollar we spend on housing is an investment. It is an investment in people and in communities, and it is an investment in our common prosperity.That is why we've prioritized housing since the beginning of our mandate in 2015, and why we've made it a cornerstone of our most recent budget. The plans laid out in budget 2022 drive the supplementary estimates that we have provided here today. The estimates contain a number of funding re-profiles to support key planks in our housing plan.One of the major focuses of our housing plan is to support the most vulnerable. This is why we introduced the rapid housing initiative. Because of the success of the first and second rounds, we introduced in budget 2022 the third round of the rapid housing initiative to build an additional 4,500 units, on top of creating over 10,000 units of deeply affordable housing.The estimates also include $15 million re-profiled from future years to support the first-time homebuyer incentive, which is a really key program for first-time homebuyers to access the dream of home ownership.Additional items include the re-profiling of $21 million for the national housing coinvestment fund. This is our flagship program that helps build deeply affordable housing across the country in partnership with municipalities and non-profits.We are also re-profiling $38 million to support the delivery of the federal lands initiative, which enables surplus federal lands and properties to become available to non-profit organizations to build affordable housing.These, of course, are just a few examples.[Translation]The estimates also include new funding for other budget items, including the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund and the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative, which is very effective, as I have said before.These requests are all about making our plan to increase the supply of housing a reality, and ensure that everyone in Canada has a safe and affordable home.(1705)[English] Our plan is grounded in a human rights-based approach to housing and makes it clear that we believe the federal government has a strong role to play in this sector. Indeed, it was our government that appointed the national housing council and the first-ever national housing advocate to advise the federal government as we strive to ensure that all Canadians have the right to a safe and affordable place to call home.It prioritizes collaboration across the housing system, and the reality is that we cannot do this alone. We need collaboration from other orders of government, the private sector and the non-profit sector.As always, I appreciate this committee's attention to issues on housing. It is truly one of the biggest challenges we must all work together to tackle.I'm happy to come back to this committee and answer any questions committee members may have.[Translation]Thank you very much.Affordable Housing Innovation FundAssociations, institutions and organizationsCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCivil and human rightsCost of livingFederal Lands InitiativeFederal-provincial-territorial relationsFirst-Time Home Buyer IncentiveGovernment assistanceGovernment landsHome ownershipNational Housing Co-Investment FundPrivate sectorRapid Housing InitiativeSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023RobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I think we are, as a country, experiencing challenges with respect to everyone having access to a safe and affordable place to call home. It is what motivates, I think, all of us to really pay attention to these issues and to make sure we're doing everything we can to help Canadians access housing that not only is affordable, but actually meets their needs.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I would say it's a challenge faced by many Canadians, and we have to work together to make sure we address those challenges.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I think I have answered the question, Mr. Chair.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I would say 3.5 million, but I will turn to—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I will take your word for it, but what I can say is that the housing supply issue is—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1710)[English] There's a lot to unpack there, Mr. Chair, but I'll make an effort in the time remaining to address some of the issues.I would really remind the member that our national housing strategy has been having an impact, and we have been measuring that. For the investments that we've made so far.... Remember that it's a 10-year program, so of course we haven't spent all the money. The fact that it's a 10-year plan is an effort we're making as a government to show our partners that the federal government is not only back in the space after a long period of absence, I may add, under your party, but that we want to be a reliable, dedicated, long-term, stable funding partner. So far, we've invested $36 billion, which is a significant amount of money, to build or repair over 480,000 homes. That is not an insignificant number—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1710)[English]Of course it's not enough. There's more work to be done, but that is a lot of progress that we've made.In addition to that, as we're building and repairing more affordable housing units and purpose-built rental units, we're also providing direct rental supports to tens of thousands of Canadians through the Canada housing benefit. I would say, yes, more work needs to be done, but we've done a lot.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[Translation]No.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategySocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[English]It's very simple. Since the introduction of the national housing strategy, we've invested $36 billion to build or repair over 480,000 units across the country, including in Quebec. We have put in place the Canada housing benefit, which is now available—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[Translation]Since 2015, we have invested more than $5.3 billion in Quebec to help more than 409,000 families and individuals get the housing they need.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[English] That would be 480,000 affordable homes—homes that were built or repaired across the country. I'm very sure a significant portion were included. I would be able to get those numbers.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[English]I don't have those specific numbers, but I would be happy to get back to you.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[English]First of all, we are building. I challenge your assertion. This program has been very effective in building affordable housing across the country, including in Quebec. You can say we need to build more, but to say we just spent money and nothing was built is completely untrue. I can't let you say that without challenging you.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[Translation]As part of our commitment to ending chronic homelessness, we are contributing more than $400 million to Quebec under the Rapid Housing Initiative. We have partnered with the Government of Quebec to invest $563 million to create 346 new housing units in the province.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1720)[Translation] I meant 3,146 new units in the province.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing StrategyProvince of QuebecSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English]You highlighted a very important point about the importance of helping non-profits, as well as municipal and provincial governments, get the same amount of capacity to compete with the private sector when it comes to securing property and land with the potential for affordable housing. It's an idea I've heard from non-profit stakeholders who are very concerned about the private sector always getting their hands on property that could potentially be used for affordable housing. It's a good idea, and I'm happy to discuss it with you further.Associations, institutions and organizationsCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English] The national housing coinvestment fund has been an amazing tool to help with affordable housing, and—BureaucracyCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English]I'm trying to. You are the one who said that this program has been a failure, and I'm trying to show you that it hasn't. Can I do that, Mr. Chair?BureaucracyCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English]Which funding commitments are you talking about? We have so many programs that flow funding for affordable housing. I would like to answer your question but I—BureaucracyCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English]No one is twiddling their thumbs. This is a very serious matter. I can show how successful this program has been. Of course there's always more to do, but I'll turn to Ms. Bowers for a more technical answer on the flow of the money.BureaucracyCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastRomyBowers//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1730)[English]There's a lot to unpack there, again, so let me try to do my best to answer that question.The member referred to the Auditor General's report. I want to begin by saying that we came out very clearly thanking the Auditor General for the recommendations, the performance audit. We agree with the findings. We are implementing the recommendations. However, Reaching Home is a very important program that delivers direct supports to the frontline organizations that are serving those experiencing homelessness. What the Auditor General highlighted was the need for more efforts to collect the data and then analyze it and transfer it to—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment accountabilitySocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1735)[English] I'm happy to answer that question.Of course I am accountable, but what the member refers to is the Auditor General's report. That report focused on one program, which is Reaching Home. The report was not looking at the CMHC or the broader national housing strategy, so I think the member is kind of mixing and overlapping two different issues.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment accountabilitySocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1735)[English]I'll tell you, if I may, what the impacts of the federal investments to tackle homelessness are. The member kind of alluded to the Auditor General's report.The Auditor General's report recommended that we collect data better, that we analyze better. However, the fact of the matter is that those investments are making an impact. Sixty-two thousand people were prevented from joining the ranks of those experiencing homelessness. Thirty-two thousand people were given permanent housing solutions through our federal investments. We're supporting over 3,000 projects run by over 1,000 organizations.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1735)[English]Absolutely.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCost of livingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaScottAitchisonParry Sound—Muskoka//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1735)[English]Mr. Chair, I think the member hasn't really looked at what we have presented in terms of the housing accelerator fund. That's exactly what we intend to do: to help municipalities remove the barriers that prevent them from adding more housing supply across the country.It's unfortunate because I was hoping that your party would actually support that effort because you always talk about gatekeepers. That was an effort for us to work collaboratively with municipalities to remove those barriers to development. You all voted against it, and here you are talking about municipalities' preventing development. We have a $4-billion program that is meant to help deal with exactly the problem you highlight—which I agree with—but you won't support the solution.It's very ironic—Mr. Scott Aitchison: Would it matter if—Hon. Ahmed Hussen: —and I hope you change your mind.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCities and townsSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1740)[English]In terms of the national housing coinvestment fund, you've heard from President Romy Bowers that, halfway into the 10-year national housing strategy, that program has been able to get half of the results. They have the results that they were supposed to get halfway through the strategy.In terms of the rapid housing initiative, because of the success of the first and second rounds, we're seeing that budget 2022 has again allocated $1.5 billion to the third round of the rapid housing initiative. This has been a really successful program for municipalities and non-profits to rapidly build deeply affordable homes for the most vulnerable. If you look at the money that we're bringing forward through the national housing coinvestment fund, it's $2.9 billion from future years to now, so that we can get more money out the door and build over 22,000 deeply affordable housing units. I would say on all of the efforts and allocations in budget 2022, the effort is being made to either get the money out the door or to build the partnerships that are necessary to then flow the money. I'm very excited about the housing accelerator fund. I think it will make a huge and sustained difference beyond the life of the program, for example.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationHousing Accelerator FundNational Housing Co-Investment FundRapid Housing InitiativeSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023WayneLongSaint John—RothesayWayneLongSaint John—Rothesay//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1740)[English] I would say in the next few weeks we will come out with a public announcement on moving forward. I expect, following that, there'll be engagement with municipalities, local governments and indigenous communities on how they can access that program.This is a key commitment that we made to Canadians. The federal government will be there to become a partner to municipalities, not just in investing in affordable housing, which is what the rest of the national housing strategy programs do, but in creating systems changes so that we can unlock additional housing supply across the spectrum, from deeply affordable homes to rental units to attainable homes. That $4 billion will be invested in those system barriers that prevent more housing from being built in Canada.You heard previously the reference to the need to build 3.5 million additional homes by 2030. We have a gap in supply, and the housing accelerator fund is one of the ways in which our government is ensuring that we not only build more housing through our other programs, but we also invest directly in local governments, municipalities and indigenous communities to create those systems changes that will unlock additional housing. Even beyond the life of the program those changes will result in more housing supply over many years to come.Housing Accelerator FundSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023WayneLongSaint John—RothesayRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1745)[English]Mr. Chair, there's a lot in there.I don't agree with the member's characterization that housing that is built through the coinvestment fund is unaffordable. The whole point of the coinvestment fund is to build deeply affordable homes, so I don't agree with that.He also talked about how we have established that the national housing strategy's not working. I don't agree with that. The numbers show that not only have our investments so far resulted in 480,000 homes built or repaired through $36 billion in investments, but we know the number of families that have been helped in Quebec. Over 409,000 families in Quebec have been impacted by our federal programs directly, either through rental supplements or through housing.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundRental housingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1745)[English]I was referring to the coinvestment fund.You said the coinvestment fund results in a $2,000 unit. That's not the case. It's much more affordable than that. I think you're referring to another program or some other building.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationNational Housing Co-Investment FundRental housingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023DenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1745)[English]This program is crucial for helping almost two million Canadian renters with the cost of rent. This $500 top-up will help people. It's on top of the existing Canada housing benefit.In terms of the income thresholds, they're intended to—Canada Housing BenefitCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationRental housingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1750)[English]The eligibility criteria for this benefit is the same across the country. It is meant to ensure access to the benefit in each province and territory.In terms of the particular nuance brought up by the member, I'm happy to have officials get back to her on that. However, I know the criteria were set up in consultation with folks to ensure equal access to—Canada Housing BenefitCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationRental housingSocial housingSupplementary estimates (B) 2022-2023JennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1640)[Translation]Thank you, Mr. Chair.Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather today is part of the traditional territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.[English]I'm very pleased to appear before this committee today to talk about one of the affordability measures that we introduced in the House of Commons on September 20, the one time top-up to the Canada housing benefit.Our government has made housing a priority throughout its mandate. We all believe that every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, but we also recognize that it is becoming increasingly challenging for many Canadians to afford rent or to find housing across the country. As part of our efforts to make life more affordable for Canadians in all aspects of their lives, our government recognizes that many need immediate additional assistance.That is why we have introduced this legislation to provide a direct federal government housing top-up payment of $500 to 1.8 million Canadians who are struggling with the cost of rent. The impacts of the pandemic are still being felt by many Canadians. This one-time top-up will be a tax-free payment to provide direct support to low-income renters, those who are experiencing housing affordability challenges.This federal benefit will be available to applicants with an adjusted net income below $35,000 for families, or below $20,000 for individuals, and who pay at least 30% of their adjusted net income on rent.[Translation]There's a reason housing is at the heart of Budget 2022, with more than $14 billion committed to doubling the number of new safe and affordable homes we're building across the country, to tackle the rising cost of housing and to find long-term solutions for the housing sector in Canada.[English]This new, one-time federal payment will be in addition to the already existing Canada housing benefit that is already delivered in partnership with provinces and territories. We know that families need the support now. That is why we are hoping that this payment will be launched before the end of the year.This one-time payment for renters is another targeted approach to ensuring that vulnerable families are not left behind. It is part of our government's plan to make housing more affordable for all Canadians.(1645)[Translation]However, it is not enough to find a single solution to help the Canadians who need it most. The National Housing Strategy, a ten-year plan of over $72 billion, includes multiple solutions to make housing more affordable for everyone.[English] This includes programs like the rapid housing initiative, which has already delivered or is on track to deliver over 10,250 permanently affordable homes for the most vulnerable. As announced in budget 2022, the success of this program is leading us to move forward with the third round of the rapid housing initiative, which will deliver an additional 4,500 units of deeply affordable housing for the most vulnerable.I want to close by reiterating that making life more affordable for Canadians who need it most is the top priority for our government. Our proposed one-time top-up payment to the Canada housing benefit will help us deliver on this priority and offer real help to Canadians who need it now.These are the kinds of measures that our government is putting into action right now to tackle the housing crisis, while taking a human rights-based approach to housing.I want to thank you, Mr. Chair, for this opportunity. I'm happy to answer any questions posed by my colleagues.[Translation]Thank you.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRapid Housing InitiativeRental housingRental Housing BenefitSocial housingSeanCaseyCharlottetownSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]Absolutely. Not only am I in constant contact with my counterparts—ministers in the provinces and territories—we recently concluded a very productive meeting of federal-provincial-territorial ministers responsible for housing and homelessness. We've engaged constantly on issues around support for renters.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment billsLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]I spoke to them about the need to support Canadian renters, low-income families—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment billsLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]We remain in touch on all aspects of the housing spectrum, including how to better support vulnerable renters. This is one of the approaches to do that.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment billsLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]My response is that this is a one-time top-up payment to an already existing program called the Canada housing benefit, which already delivers an average of $2,500 to Canadian renters from coast to coast to coast. I want to also highlight the fact that all 10 provinces and three territories have signed on to the Canada housing benefit. It's a cost-shared program. This particular payment will reach 1.8 million Canadian renters. We know that they need that support now.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]I can tell you that we have a number of programs in the north to tackle the specific challenges—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1650)[English]I'm happy to answer the question, if you let me.In the north, we understand the unique challenges faced by northern communities when it comes to building affordable housing. We've dedicated not only—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1650)[English]I'm happy to answer it, if you'll let me.If I may continue, we understand the importance of investing in affordable housing in the north. Over the years we've put in place programs that enable northern communities to access more federal housing dollars—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold LakeLailaGoodridgeFort McMurray—Cold Lake//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1655)[English]Thank you very much, MP Sidhu, for that important question.Yes, this legislation will benefit 1.8 million renters struggling with the cost of housing in this country. It will be available to applicants with a family income below $35,000, or $20,000 for individuals, and who pay at least 30% of their net income on rent. The application process for this benefit will be attestation-based, as my colleague has indicated, and the CRA will provide the upfront verification of an applicant's eligibility.It's really important to also note that this benefit will not reduce other federal income-based benefits programs, and we will work with provinces and territories to ensure that recipients do not have their provincial and territorial benefits negatively impacted as a result of receiving this housing benefit.The payment will be launched by the end of the year, pending passage of this legislation, so I really urge my Conservative colleagues to stop obstructing the passage of this legislation and to help us deliver this much-needed payment to Canadians as soon as possible.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitSoniaSidhuBrampton SouthSoniaSidhuBrampton South//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]I will tell you. She's in my contact list, actually— C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitJean-DenisGaronMirabelJean-DenisGaronMirabel//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English] First of all, the new minister is France-Élaine Duranceau—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitJean-DenisGaronMirabelJean-DenisGaronMirabel//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1705)[English]You asked me the question. I'm answering.In terms of the issue of the money helping residents of Quebec....[Translation]We know that it is increasingly difficult for many Canadians to pay higher rents, or even to find housing they can afford. That is why we are bringing a bill forward that will enable us to pay $500 quickly to the 1.8 million Canadian renters who are having trouble paying their rent.[English]That includes, of course, residents of Quebec. This will help them as well. This already builds up on the existing Canada housing benefit agreement that we've signed with the Province of Quebec, which is already helping 145,000 households in Quebec. We have been active in providing rental supports to vulnerable Quebeckers, and we'll continue to do that with this one-time top-up. C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitJean-DenisGaronMirabelSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1710)[English]Thank you very much for the question, Madam Kwan.I can tell you that this benefit will not impact federal income-based benefits. We will work very diligently with provinces and territories to also ensure that recipients will not have their provincial or territorial benefits negatively impacted as a result of this payment.With respect to the scenario you highlighted with landlords, my aim would be to make sure that, as we provide this rental support to vulnerable renters, it doesn't actually lead to an increase in their rent. We will work to ensure that's not the case. We are still looking at those different scenarios, but the one that you highlight is very important. We need to pay particular attention to that.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsGuaranteed Income SupplementRental housingRental Housing BenefitJennyKwanVancouver EastSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1715)[English]The different national housing strategy programs that are working on the ground in Nunavut are varied. They have different deliverables in terms of the unit numbers, the affordability levels and the dollar—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeToddDohertyCariboo—Prince George//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1715)[English]I can get you a total number, but I can also tell you how much money we have invested in Nunavut and the different programs that have gone into—C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeToddDohertyCariboo—Prince George//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1715)[English]I can certainly turn to my officials to work with you on that, yes.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsNunavutSocial housingToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeToddDohertyCariboo—Prince George//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1715)[English]About the $500 one-time top-up payment to the Canada housing benefit, I feel like I have to always repeat this. This is on top of an existing permanent program called the Canada housing benefit, which is delivering an average of $2,500 to vulnerable renters right across the country, in every province and territory. The Canada housing benefit is working, but we recognize there are additional challenges. That's why the one-time top-up payment of $500 is very critical.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingChildrenCost of livingDental BenefitGovernment billsOral and dental healthToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeToddDohertyCariboo—Prince George//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1725)[English]In addition to what Minister Duclos has just stated, I think it's also important to seek out all of the different stakeholders that the minister stated, in addition to all of the affordable housing stakeholders and advocates, to amplify what we're doing here so that vulnerable Canadians can benefit from this important help.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsGuaranteed Income SupplementRental housingRental Housing BenefitJennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1730)[English]It's important that we work with a number of different advocates and organizations that do a lot of work to help people navigate different benefit systems for people who are eligible and need these supports. We'll work with them to make sure that's the case, as well as working with provinces and territories, as I said earlier, to make sure that people are not negatively impacted.Application processC-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingChildrenCost of livingDental BenefitGovernment billsOral and dental healthSeanCaseyCharlottetownSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1755)[English]Thank you very much, MP van Koeverden, for that important question and your perspective in highlighting the importance of the support for Canadian renters.Again, the $500 one-time top-up to the Canada housing benefit is on top of the already existing permanent average of $2,500 that is already going to vulnerable renters right across the country through the Canada housing benefit. It's a program that is now real in all 10 provinces and three territories. We have agreements with all of those governments. This is a cost-shared program. It is already delivering a lot of support to those Canadian renters.This payment—which we expect to launch by the end of the year, pending the passage of this important legislation—will, I believe, deliver much-needed rental supports to Canadian families and individuals, and it will make a difference. We need to send that support as soon as possible. I urge my colleagues to pass this piece of legislation.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitSeanCaseyCharlottetownSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1800)[English] Thank you for the question.I agree with you that many families and individuals in Quebec and right across Canada need this support now. I want to remind you once again that we are already investing $454.3 million to provide 145,000 households in Quebec with rental supports through the Canada housing benefit agreement that we signed with Quebec. That money is already flowing. This is a $500 one-time top-up to that existing support.The 30% threshold is recognized as a metric to make sure that all Canadians are eligible to have equitable access, no matter where they live. It is recognized as an indicator of whether an individual has access to affordable housing or not. If they are spending 30% of their income or more on housing costs, then that is considered unaffordable. C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitSocial housingJean-DenisGaronMirabelSeanCaseyCharlottetown//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1800)[English]Thank you very much. That's a really important question to highlight the challenges facing Canadian families. As a government, we have had the backs of vulnerable Canadians throughout the pandemic and beyond—and even before that. This is support that is needed immediately. We need to get it out as soon as possible so that it can get to Canadian families that need it now. Obviously, we will continue to monitor the situation. We'll continue to be there for vulnerable Canadians, whether they need access to affordable dental care or access to affordable housing and rental supports through the Canada housing benefit. We will continue to monitor the situation, but the focus right now is on getting this support out as soon as possible.C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housingCost of livingGovernment billsRental housingRental Housing BenefitJennyKwanVancouver EastJennyKwanVancouver East//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1305)[English]Madam Chair and members of the committee, good afternoon. Thank you for your invitation to appear today and for this opportunity to discuss the funding granted—and subsequently terminated—to the Community Media Advocacy Centre. I am joined today by Mala Khanna, associate deputy minister, Canadian Heritage.[Translation]I want to begin by reiterating that anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms have no place in Canada. Our government is firmly committed to fighting racism.[English]In 2019 when our government created Canada's first ever anti-racism strategy, we did so with a clear direction to support community organizations across Canada, addressing the issues of anti-racism and multiculturalism.Through the anti-racism action program, funding was intended to empower communities on the ground and to help address all forms of racism and discrimination.When it comes to the selection process, we expect funded organizations to uphold the core values championed through the anti-racism strategy. That, of course, wasn't the case with one of the organizations.The anti-Semitic, hateful and xenophobic comments made by Laith Marouf are vile and reprehensible. I have said this before and I'll say it again: I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.The fact that the Community Media Advocacy Centre received federal funding while employing Mr. Marouf is unacceptable and should, quite frankly, never have happened. The contract with CMAC has since been terminated, and we have sought to recover all payments made to the organization.It is clear that the vetting process failed. This individual slipped through the cracks during the review of the CMAC application. The incident reflects a failure in the system and is a slap in the face to the Jewish community, the francophone community and many other groups that he has continuously attacked with his hateful comments, and for that, I sincerely apologize.We are determined to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again, so today I am grateful for the opportunity to be here to speak with you about the immediate actions we have taken and the work we are continuing to do to strengthen how we assess and vet projects.[Translation]I have asked Canadian Heritage to undertake a comprehensive review of the assessment of applications and to introduce enhanced training on application verification for all program officers.[English] This will include enhanced diversity and inclusion training for all program officers, including anti-racism and anti-Semitism awareness training.I've also asked officials to introduce conditions in all of our funding agreements that will allow the federal government to take immediate action should any organization or individual be identified as having promoted or shared hate, racism, anti-Semitism or discrimination in any form.This will help us to ensure that, moving forward, we can move quickly and decisively as soon as we are made aware. All organizations and individuals that see their funding cut in this manner will also never be eligible for future funding. These are important measures and will help us prevent hateful groups or individuals from slipping through the cracks.These have been informed by working closely with Jewish community organizations and community leaders and groups, such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B'nai Brith, as well as members of Parliament. We thank them for their advocacy in ensuring that all voices were reflected in our efforts because, as we know, racism, hate and anti-Semitism remain a reality in Canada.(1310)This is why our government has been steadfast in our commitments to fight racism and anti-Semitism at every turn. From the appointment of the Honourable Irwin Cotler as Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism to holding Canada's first-ever National Summit on Antisemitism, we've been working closely with the Jewish community to ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in our actions.Through this year's budget alone, we're committing important supports for the construction of the new Holocaust museum, as well as for the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust education centre.We are now going to renew and reform our anti-racism strategy, which will be informed by our conversations with members of all communities—Anti-SemitismApplication processBuilding a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019-2022Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJewish CanadiansRacial equalityWork-based trainingHedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1310)[English]—who continue to face racism, hate and discrimination on every turn. This includes those communities that have been attacked by Mr. Marouf directly.Thank you for your time. I'm happy to answer your questions.[Translation]Thank you very much.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsRacial equalityHedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1310)[English]I want to make this absolutely clear: The comments made by this individual are absolutely appalling. I've said this before and I'll say it again. They are reprehensible and vile. We condemn the anti-Semitism, racism and hatred that he has spread in the strongest possible terms.I thank MP Housefather for bringing this individual to our attention. When this issue was raised, we immediately asked the Department of Canadian Heritage to confirm the organization's project funding details and to inform us on the procedural next steps. After the review by the legal department, we followed the process in place to cut funding to the organization, as well as terminate the project.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMelissaLantsmanThornhillMelissaLantsmanThornhill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1310)[English]I want to assure the honourable member and this committee that when this was first brought to our attention, we had much less information than we do today, of course. Right away I asked my office and my team to look into the situation and provide me with options to address this quickly.Do I wish that we were able to move the process along more quickly? Absolutely, but it was also important that we got this right to ensure accountability for this organization and this individual and for any other individual or group that may seek to apply for government funding. That's why we're moving forward on the introduction of robust new vetting measures—enhanced measures—one of which will be to ensure that the Government of Canada can act more quickly and more immediately, as appropriate.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMelissaLantsmanThornhillMelissaLantsmanThornhill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1310)[English]First of all, I want to thank the honourable member for the question.Because the funding, with respect to the news release, was already approved in the summer of 2021 before I became the minister responsible for the file, we trusted at that time that adequate vetting had been completed. However, as we have said, this individual fell through the cracks. The vetting process failed in this case, and this is completely unacceptable.This is why I am happy to inform the committee that we're putting in place new, enhanced, robust measures to ensure that this type of thing never ever happens again. I'm happy to go through the details of the new, enhanced vetting process—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesMelissaLantsmanThornhillMelissaLantsmanThornhill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1315)[English]I agree with the honourable member. This is why your question is very important. I completely agree with you that, in this particular case, the process used to select this organization failed, and that is clearly unacceptable. That is why we did the right thing by launching a review of how this organization was vetted and approved for funding.One of the things the review showed is that the evaluation process did not initially detect the hateful comments made by this individual of this organization.We're taking swift action to make sure this never happens again by introducing—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesMelissaLantsmanThornhillMelissaLantsmanThornhill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1315)[English]Madam Chair, if I could just finish the answer, I'm sure the honourable member will appreciate what we're putting in place to make sure this never happens again.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsMelissaLantsmanThornhillMelissaLantsmanThornhill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1315)[English]Because I only have a few seconds left, I'll say to the honourable member once again that the vetting process in this case failed. Our responsibility is to ensure that this never happens again by introducing new and enhanced robust measures. That's exactly what we're doing. Until then, no single dollar will go out. All funding has been paused to make sure that this never happens again.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsHedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1315)[English] Thank you so much to the honourable member for her important question.I will say once again that part of our responsibility is to make sure that we learn from the fact that, in this particular case, the vetting process failed, and we're taking swift action to make sure this never happens again. We're doing so by introducing a new vetting process that is being established by the Department of Canadian Heritage. We're enhancing the agreement between Canadian Heritage and applicants—organizations applying for funding—and introducing further penalties to successful applicants who showcase racism, hate and bigotry. We will continue to take every measure to ensure this never happens again.We are also putting in place enhanced vetting training for program officers, ensuring that multiple officials review each and every application, and enhanced anti-racism and anti-Semitism training for all program officers. To develop this training, we will be working with the special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, the Honourable Irwin Cotler. We'll also be working with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Jewish Public Servants' Network to develop this program. It will also include training on the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.We'll also implement conditions in all funding agreements to allow the government to take immediate action if any organization or individual is identified as having promoted hate and to ensure that all organizations that see their funding cut in this manner will never be eligible for future funding.I want to assure members of the committee that not a single federal dollar will be rolling out until these measures are fully in place. We're working to ensure that these measures are in place as quickly as possible.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsYa'araSaksYork CentreYa'araSaksYork Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1320)[English]Absolutely, and I appreciate your emphasis on those measures going forward. I want to reiterate that our measures will include enhanced online and social media vetting training and enhanced diversity and inclusion training for all program officers, including anti-Semitism and anti-racism awareness training, all of which will be informed by the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism. I want to assure the honourable member that we will ensure that our findings and our measures are shared with other government departments so that they learn from this incident, making sure that we can move forward in a way that ensures that these types of situations never happen again.We're also putting all funding requests on hold—Anti-SemitismCommunity Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsYa'araSaksYork CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1320)[English]—and not a single dollar will be rolled out before this new vetting process is in place.Anti-SemitismCommunity Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsHedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1320)[English]Thank you very much.HedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[Translation]Thank you for the question.[English] I want to show the honourable member that I find— I've stated this before and I'll state it again—the comments made by this individual as well as this organization to be vile, reprehensible, hateful and unacceptable. The anti-Semitism, racism and hate that has been expressed—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]—has absolutely no place in this society.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]I'm getting to the answer.MartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]Okay, thank you. The fact of the matter is that, as soon as we were made aware of this individual and his hateful remarks, I asked my team to look into it, give me options and also deal with the Department of Canadian Heritage to find out funding details about this organization and make sure that we follow the process that was in place upon looking at the funding details. We consulted the legal department and followed the process that was in place at that time to suspend funding, and I can update the member now that we've not only terminated funding but have demanded that this organization pay back the money that—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]When this issue was raised, I want to assure the honourable member again that we immediately asked the Department of Canadian Heritage to confirm the organization's project funding details and to inform us on the procedural next steps. After the review by the legal department, we followed the process in place to cut funding to the organization as well as terminate the project. We know this should not have happened. That's why I'm here today, to discuss with you the changes—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]—to make sure this never happens again.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]I will turn to associate deputy minister Khanna for this answer.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[Translation]As I have said many times before, this individual's hateful comments against French-speaking Canadians are absolutely abhorrent. We condemn them in the strongest possible terms—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageDiscriminationFrancophonesGovernment contractsWork-based trainingMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1325)[English]I'm trying to answer. Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1330)[English]I have stated very clearly that the hateful comments towards francophone community members by this individual, by this organization, are reprehensible. I said this from the very beginning, and I will repeat that. Absolutely, we will make sure that the enhanced training on anti-Semitism, anti-racism, anti-discrimination and anti-hate for all program officers includes sensitivity and fighting against hatred towards francophone community members. That is a commitment I can make to you, sir. Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageDiscriminationFrancophonesGovernment contractsWork-based trainingMartinChampouxDrummondHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1330)[English]Mr. Julian, I would have to start my response by responding to your initial comments. I in no way meant to suggest that anti-Semitism should not be taken seriously. Quite the contrary, in many years of my adult life I have spent time fighting anti-Semitism, fighting Islamophobia, fighting racism on the ground working with community members from various communities, so I take this extremely seriously and I would encourage you to revisit my remarks on this matter on a number of occasions. I disagree with you, with respect, sir.On the issue of the previous processes that existed before I became minister, this funding was approved in the summer of 2021, before I became the minister responsible for this file. We trusted at that time that the adequate vetting had been completed, and, as we have said, this individual fell through the cracks and that is why I'm here today, to assure members that we're putting in place significant measures to ensure this never happens again. Anti-SemitismCommunity Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1330)[English] Madam Chair, I'm happy to reiterate again the comprehensive vetting process and the pieces that are in it, which I've already stated, but in terms of the detailed question with respect to social media, I'll turn to associate deputy minister Khanna to provide additional content. Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsSocial networking sitesPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]Absolutely not. I am the minister on the file, and as soon as the issue was raised, I immediately asked my team to look into it and provide me with options, but we also asked the Department of Canadian Heritage to confirm the project funding details and to inform us on the procedural next steps.After the review by the legal department, we followed the process in place to cut funding to the organization as well as terminate the project. We know this should not have happened, but that's why I'm here today to talk about how we have enhanced the process significantly to make sure this never happens again. Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsGovernment performancePeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]I can assure the member.... Do I have a few seconds to respond?Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]I thank MP Housefather for bringing this individual to our attention.The comments made by this individual are—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]When this issue was first raised, we immediately asked the department to look into it to confirm the details.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]Madam Chair, I'm trying to answer the question.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]It was on July 19 or 20—around there.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]I wouldn't say the department didn't take any action. I think that's an unfair characterization, but I'll let you finish your question and I can respond.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1335)[English]I want to assure the honourable member that despite the premise of his question, there was already work under way to get the details of the funding for this organization and to establish the process to terminate both the contract and the project. That was done.In addition to that, the vetting process that was in place at the time that this project was approved clearly did not work. Obviously, that is clear to us. Our job is to ensure that not only do we terminate this contract and demand that the money be repaid, which is what we've done, but to ensure that this never happens again by putting in place robust, enhanced measures and better training and vetting. That's why I'm here. It's to talk about those measures and to make sure committee members—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]At the time that this project was approved in 2021, I was not the minister on the file.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]Absolutely. If I can finish the answer—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]The process used to select this organization was clearly unacceptable. I can tell you, sir, that this vetting process failed.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]I'm trying to answer.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English] I will have to get back to you on that. I'm not sure what you are referring to. You're obviously referring to a media article that you read somewhere.I'm happy to get back to you on that. It's not something that I have come across.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonJohnNaterPerth—Wellington//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]My response to your question, which is an important question, is that we are surprised and disappointed by the CRTC's decision. Funds should never go to an organization that demonstrates racism and anti-Semitism—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsJohnNaterPerth—WellingtonHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]—and xenophobia. Canadians really expect that this principle applies to all public and private institutions.That is my response to you. Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsHedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1340)[English]Absolutely. Thank you very much for the question, MP Housefather, and thank you for your work on this really important issue, both as an individual before entering public life and now.As the minister responsible, on behalf of the government, I can state unequivocally that combatting anti-Semitism and combatting hate against Jewish Canadians are absolutely a priority for our government. We have taken a number of steps in that regard and we will continue to be a strong champion in the fight against anti-Semitism in this country.Anti-SemitismCommunity Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsAnthonyHousefatherMount RoyalAnthonyHousefatherMount Royal//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1345)[English] Absolutely. Thank you very much, MP Housefather, for that question.I think you point to a really important lesson in this particular issue, which is that moving forward, we will be able to move more swiftly to immediately to cut funding and make sure that we terminate contracts. That is part of the enhanced agreement. That is also part of introducing a new item with, namely, an attestation that will proactively require applicants to commit to the standards of the Canadian Human Rights Act and to the anti-racism framework.I just want to add, with regard to MP Nater's last question, because I ran out of time, that I understand that the officials will be able to provide information to him with respect to his last question. I just want to clarify that.In terms of powers in addition to terminating more quickly, there will be language in the agreement to enhance the ability of the government to move more quickly, and to put an attestation to applicants so they're able to proactively commit to live by the standards expected of them with respect to making sure their organization—including any consultant, employee, partner, or anybody associated with it—cannot engage in racist, anti-Semitic or hateful behaviour or comments against Black Canadians or francophone community members, and that if that happens, we can take quick action.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsAnthonyHousefatherMount RoyalHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1345)[English]That's a very good question. Thank you very much for this important question.My expectation was that the measures in place at that time would have included robust vetting and due diligence measures and steps to ensure that this individual and organization would not go through the cracks.Now we're introducing a new vetting process to ensure, for example, that there is enhanced vetting training for program officers and ensure that multiple officials review each and every application so that mistakes can be caught, and to ensure that there is enhanced anti-racism and anti-Semitism training for all program officers.To develop this training, we're turning to the experts, people like the Honourable Irwin Cotler, the special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Jewish Public Servants' Network to develop this program.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment accountabilityGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]Yes.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageDiscriminationFrancophonesGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondMartinChampouxDrummond//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]Madam Chair, I want to thank the honourable member. That's a really important question.When we identified the vetting process failure in this case, we followed up with the Department of Canadian Heritage to ensure there was no other case like this. I have instructed the department to put all funding requests on hold until a new enhanced vetting process is in place.Let me be absolutely clear to the member, as well as to all the committee members, that if any other similar case comes to my attention, we will act swiftly to cut off funding and hold the organization accountable.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsMartinChampouxDrummondHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]That's not what I said, sir.PeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]That's not what I said, sir.PeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]No, that's not what I said, sir.Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsGovernment performancePeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]What I can assure you, Mr. Julian, is that we are putting in place enhanced vetting and due diligence processes, and multiple layers of checks—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsGovernment performancePeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1350)[English]—of different officials to make sure that hateful comments such as those made by this individual and CMAC can be caught, and that we can address this, move faster, cut funding quicker, and terminate contracts faster. I'm actually trying to answer your question, Mr. Julian.That's the new process that will be in place in addition to more enhanced vetting and training in anti-Semitism, anti-racism, hateful behaviour, discrimination against Black Canadians, with francophone community members and so on—Community Media Advocacy CentreDepartment of Canadian HeritageGovernment contractsGovernment performancePeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyPeterJulianNew Westminster—Burnaby//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1355)[English] I did that—RachaelThomasLethbridgeRachaelThomasLethbridge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1355)[English]I did that.RachaelThomasLethbridgeRachaelThomasLethbridge//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1410)[English]Thank you.MichaelCoteauDon Valley EastHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1410)[English]Thank you, Madam Chair.HedyFryHon.Vancouver CentreHedyFryHon.Vancouver Centre//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1550)[English]Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.[Translation]I'm pleased to participate in the committee's study on the housing accelerator fund.[English]Housing affordability is the top concern of us all. We know that boosting housing supply is one of the main tools to address the housing affordability challenges facing Canadians. That means increasing the supply of both market housing in addition to and in combination with affordable housing, which requires, quite frankly, different actions.(1555)[Translation]To fill the gap that already exists, and to keep up with our growing population over the next decade, Canada will need to build at least 3.5 million new homes by 2031, according to budget estimates.Our government's newest budget contains multiple items to bring new supply more quickly—measures that address the breaks and delays in the housing system that are preventing new units from being built.[English]The biggest single measure in this category is the housing accelerator fund. Budget 2022 proposes $4 billion over five years starting in 2022-23 to launch the housing accelerator fund. The target is to create at least 100,000 net new housing units over this period, with a focus on affordable housing with greater energy efficiency and on densification.The fund will do so by incentivizing communities to get more housing built. It will, for example, ensure that local governments get the support they need to streamline and modernize their housing approval and delivery systems. Local governments are key partners for us in the housing system. This fund will strengthen partnerships and be flexible enough for the different needs and realities of cities and communities across the country, including in rural Canada. When you talk to mayors across the country, they will tell you that they're facing barriers. A lot of them don't have the fiscal capacity to overcome some of these needs, whether they are infrastructure or the investments necessary to modernize permitting systems, introduce inclusionary zoning and incentivize transit-oriented development. The barriers they're facing are real, and this fund will certainly help with that.The housing accelerator fund has already received support from right across the housing system, including from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, among others. We also heard widespread support for it at our recent national housing supply summit.[Translation]The housing accelerator fund will join a suite of programs the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC, has in place to increase market and affordable housing supply in Canada—all part of the national housing strategy.[English] One such program already in place is the federal lands initiative, which this committee is also looking at. This $200-million initiative, launched in 2018, is intended to create 4,000 homes by transferring surplus federal lands and buildings to housing providers at low or no cost. Once transferred, the property is developed or renovated into affordable, sustainable, accessible and socially inclusive housing.My mandate letter requests enhancements to the federal lands initiative to ensure that the federal government is more effectively deploying its inventory of lands to advance the objectives of the national housing strategy. Once again, I want to thank this committee for looking at the federal lands initiative and helping us get there.Just last week, for example, we announced that our government was providing nearly $3 million for the purchase and development of land at the former Canadian Forces base Edmonton Griesbach barracks site. This fund will assist in the development of more housing in the Village at Griesbach in north Edmonton. This will include support for a proposed project of approximately 127 homes for Métis and other indigenous members of the community and families, including 50 units dedicated to women and children fleeing gender-based violence. Residents will also have access to full on-time wraparound supports, cultural programming, counselling, child care and a community garden. Stories like this really show the success of the federal lands initiative and the potential to do even more.I want to thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to be here today to talk about these programs. Once again, I want to thank the committee for their study of both the housing accelerator fund and the federal lands initiative.[Translation]We look forward to the results of your study, and to working together to continue supporting housing supply and affordability in this country.(1600)[English]At this time, Mr. Chair, I'd be more than happy to take questions from members of the committee.[Translation]Thank you.Cities and townsDemographicsFederal Lands InitiativeGovernment landsHousingHousing Accelerator FundNational Housing StrategySocial housingRobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]Thank you very much for the question. It's actually a very important question, which allows me to elaborate on the housing accelerator fund.The fund is meant to do both. It is meant to unlock more housing supply of all types—period—in Canada. How is it going to do that? It is going to do that by recognizing, as we all do, that municipalities have a big role to play in permitting and development projects, in zoning and urban planning, and so on. It is investing directly in eliminating the barriers that prevent the building of more housing supply, including more housing supply of middle-class housing.HousingHousing Accelerator FundSocial housingStephanieKusieCalgary MidnaporeStephanieKusieCalgary Midnapore//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]It is housing that is purchased by Canadians in the market. It's market housing, but the fund is not limited to just that. The fund will unlock all types of housing, of course with a bit of a preference and extra incentives for affordable housing. Having said that, when you make permitting easier and more efficient, when you make zoning more reasonable and when you encourage intensification and transit-oriented development, it will inevitably unlock more housing supply across the spectrum, including market housing.HousingHousing Accelerator FundSocial housingStephanieKusieCalgary MidnaporeStephanieKusieCalgary Midnapore//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]Before I turn to Romy Bowers on that, I would highlight the fact that the national housing strategy programs are geared toward affordable housing. With the rental construction financing initiative, we build more rental stock—period—with a percentage of affordable rental units but also just putting more rentals on the market, because not a lot of developers prefer to build rentals.The housing accelerator fund is different. This is about systems change. This is about investing in the capacity of communities to build more. We know that those barriers are real. We know that it takes too long to approve, deploy and deliver housing projects. We want to help by incentivizing that faster building of more supply.I'll turn to the president, Romy Bowers, for more details.HousingHousing Accelerator FundStephanieKusieCalgary MidnaporeStephanieKusieCalgary Midnapore//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1600)[English]In the number you reference you're referring to our ambition for the supply of new homes. As the Prime Minister has indicated, our target is to double the number of homes built in Canada. We have the fastest growing population in the G7, but our housing supply hasn't kept up with that demand, so what we're saying is that we will use the housing accelerator fund and other incentives through, for example, our infrastructure investments, to encourage more housing supply. But that's not the end of the story. There's a role for provincial governments to also increase housing supply, and you've seen reports and expert panels from different provinces indicating that they are focused on this issue. Municipalities are also engaged in this, the private sector is part of the mix and so are affordable housing proponents. This is a whole-of-country approach, but what we're saying is that we will have national leadership and investments to encourage more supply.HousingHousing Accelerator FundStephanieKusieCalgary MidnaporeStephanieKusieCalgary Midnapore//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1605)[English]I want to thank the honourable member for the important question with respect to the housing accelerator fund. He points to a really important perspective that we hope to bring to the housing accelerator fund, which is that it has to be deployed differently in different communities. All communities, even larger cities, have challenges with respect to barriers around faster processing of development applications, permitting and so on. I think the capacity issues are even more pronounced in smaller communities, in mid-size cities and in rural Canada. My commitment is to make sure that, as we deploy the housing accelerator fund, we make sure that we bring a rural lens, a smaller community lens, a mid-city size lens and a regional lens to its execution, so that we have enough flexibility in the fund to address both the needs of large urban centres and smaller cities and communities. My belief is that there are some common barriers between the two sizes of communities, but there are also some barriers that are unique to smaller communities. For example, one community of a large urban centre may have a barrier of moving towards digitization of its permitting system. A smaller community might not even have enough permitting officials, period, or they may lack the capacity to put together a plan. We have to make sure that the housing accelerator fund is used in all parts of Canada because housing is now a national challenge. It's not just a big-city challenge facing Canadians. The housing accelerator fund has to reflect that.I want to emphasize once again that it's about investing in systems change, so that at the end of the life cycle of the funding, the changes will be sustainable and they will continue to unlock new housing supply, including affordable housing. Cities and townsHousingHousing Accelerator FundWayneLongSaint John—RothesayWayneLongSaint John—Rothesay//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1610)[English]Thank you very much.We have learned a lot through the success of the rapid housing initiative. It landed really well. There are many folks who believed that we couldn't deliver housing in less than 12 months and the rapid housing initiative has put to bed those concerns. I think we have learned a lot through that process. We'll obviously make sure that those lessons are embedded in the housing accelerator fund and that we are flexible enough to ensure that smaller communities benefit as much as larger communities. One way to address that is to make sure that the application process is more flexible and reasonable.BureaucracyCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationHousingHousing Accelerator FundWayneLongSaint John—RothesayRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[Translation]Thank you for that important question.[English] First of all, this is not the only program that will result in more affordable rental housing. We actually have a much bigger program, called the rental construction financing initiative, which has grown over the years. It is now projected to invest $25 billion over a number of years to ensure that we are incentivizing the building of more rental units across the country. In budget 2022, that program will double the requirement for the number of affordable units, from 20% to 40%. That means that more affordable rental units will be in the market, on top of more rental units—period. Why is the Government of Canada incentivizing the building of more rental units? It's because developers mostly don't tend to build for the rental market. They tend to build for ownership. There's a shortage of rental units across Canada. Our government has recognized that the federal government has a role in encouraging more rental units being built. If I could come back to the housing accelerator fund, one way it will lead to more rental units is the encouragement and incentivizing of densification and inclusionary zoning. When you allow more units to be built within the same amount of land, you unlock more rental housing supply. There are municipalities, for example, some mayors I met recently, who are moving toward allowing more units within a single family home. The idea behind that is to allow the owner of a large single-family unit with a huge backyard to be able to build up to five units and allow some of those units to be rented, therefore tripling or quadrupling the rental—HousingHousing Accelerator FundRental housingLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleLouiseChabotThérèse-De Blainville//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English] Actually, it will. In fact, the housing accelerator fund will, among other things, unlock more affordable housing supply.When I talk about affordable housing, it is about deeply subsidized rental rates in communities that now don't have enough affordable housing. This will allow renters to be given deeply affordable housing by unlocking more supply, also of affordable housing. Yes, it's part of the housing accelerator fund.HousingHousing Accelerator FundRental housingLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleLouiseChabotThérèse-De Blainville//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1615)[English]It is encouraging the building of that. It is part of the plan. What we are seeking from municipalities is to bring forth a plan to tackle the systemic barriers, but to also show a road map to build more affordable housing, more affordable rental housing and more intensification around transit.HousingHousing Accelerator FundRental housingLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English]Mr. Chair, I want to begin by highlighting the fact that it is our government that has brought forward a 1% tax on the value of non-resident, non-Canadian-owned residential real estate. We have committed to reviewing the tax treatment of the real estate investment trusts that the member refers to.I want to go back to the prelude to the question, saying that our government has taken a market lens to our national housing strategy. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are the government that brought a human rights framework into the national housing strategy, a legislative framework. We are the government that has introduced a number of different programs to build more affordable housing. While we're doing that, we recognize there is more work to be done. That's why we've brought in the Canada housing benefit, which is helping literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians obtain direct rental supports so that they don't end up on the street.We recognize there is more work to be done, but to characterize our efforts over the last number of years as being driven by the market is completely not true, and I want to challenge the premise of the question. Yes, we have to tackle financialization. Yes, we've banned foreign investors from purchasing Canadian residential real estate for two years. That will provide more homes for Canadians. We are the government that is.... Rapid housing alone has delivered 10,250 deeply affordable homes—100% federal grants that have been provided to communities to build deeply affordable housing.We have done a lot, informed by a human rights approach. We are the government that appointed a housing advocate and a housing council. We'll do more.It is unfair to say that we're being guided by the market. That is absolutely not true. HousingHousing Accelerator FundReal estateSocial housingBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—Coquitlam//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1620)[English] I'll turn the attention of the honourable member to the fact that, in the national housing strategy, for every single project that seeks to get money from the federal government to build housing, whether it's private sector, government, another order of government or the non-profit sector, we have minimum accessibility requirements. Unless they fulfill accessibility requirements from our government, they don't get a single dime from us.Since we came into office, we've built 36,000 units of accessible housing across Canada. We're investing in the development of more inclusive and accessible communities through the national housing strategy. The affordable housing innovation fund is encouraging projects to come forward to innovate more accessibility. Barrier-free housing for Canadians with disabilities is a priority of the national housing strategy and always will be, including in the housing accelerator fund.Access for disabled peopleAffordable Housing Innovation FundHousingHousing Accelerator FundBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—Coquitlam//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1625)[English]Yes. I will turn it to CMHC to provide that information.HousingHousing Accelerator FundRobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1630)[English] Thank you, Mr. Chair.That's a great question, and I would point the member to our track record with other investments. If you look at the rapid housing initiative, in a very short amount of time we were able to conclude agreements with non-profit organizations as well as municipal governments to deliver housing and to deliver it within 12 months or less—and they all stepped up and did it. We were able to do that because we had binding agreements with them.In all the different programs of the national housing strategy, we actually sign agreements with proponents to make sure that they keep up their end of the bargain with respect to affordability, accessibility and energy efficiency. This will be exactly the same. The only difference is that we're now investing in systems as opposed to a straightforward project.On a broad scale, we will require that particular municipality or that particular regional government or whoever is responsible for the permitting and delivery of housing to bring forth a road map or a list of what the challenges are in that particular community to increase housing supply and to do it faster. Once they identify those challenges, they also have to provide us with a road map of how to overcome those challenges and what it would take to overcome those challenges and basically draw a “before and after” picture. For example, you have one permitting official in your city and you give out 100 permits a year. If we provide you with a second permitting official and we pay the salary, we expect at least 200 permits to be issued in that community. Those outcomes will be part of the systems planning we would demand in that agreement, and it will be a binding agreement.BureaucracyCities and townsHousingHousing Accelerator FundRonLiepertCalgary Signal HillRonLiepertCalgary Signal Hill//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1630)[English]Yes. Not only that, but we would have the power to design the funding in such a way that it is based on keeping commitments, making sure there is leverage in our agreements to make sure that people are keeping their commitments as part of the agreement. As I said, this is an investment in systems, but the systems improvements have to result in better and faster output of housing, including affordable housing. That will be identified in collaboration with the local community, and we will certainly hold them to account to make sure they meet those benchmarks.HousingHousing Accelerator FundRonLiepertCalgary Signal HillRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[Translation]Thank you for your question.[English]I can confirm that, absolutely, our government is committed to urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategies, informed by for indigenous, by indigenous principle. The national housing council issued recommendations, as well, and we're fully committed to co-developing and implementing a dedicated urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy.The fact is that $300 million is a start. Let me remind the honourable member that, in a number of our programs for building and repairing deeply affordable housing, we already prioritized indigenous housing projects, including urban, rural and northern indigenous housing projects off reserve. For example, the rapid housing initiative has resulted in 41% of all projects being delivered in indigenous communities, including urban, rural and northern indigenous communities. HousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleLouiseChabotThérèse-De Blainville//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]As I said, it's a question of recognizing, first of all, that this is a start. The national housing council report has a number of really important recommendations. We're fully committed to implementing all of those recommendations. In addition to that, indigenous housing projects and proposals are already prioritized in the $13-billion co-investment fund, as well as in programs like the rapid housing initiative. However, we have to do more. I agree.HousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]Mr. Chair, I will turn to Madam Bowers of CMHC to answer that particular question.BonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamRomyBowers//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1640)[English]You said that it's difficult to have the development community do those things. Well, it's very simple. If they want to access federal funds to build affordable housing, affordable rental housing and so on, they have to. It's not a choice. They have to meet those accessibility standards. Whether they like it or not, it is a commitment that our government has made, and we've so far kept that commitment in every program of the national housing strategy .Access for disabled peopleHousingHousing Accelerator FundBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—Coquitlam//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]I will turn to Madam Bowers again.BonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamRomyBowers//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1645)[English]I would encourage the member to look at the track record of the rental construction financing initiative, a program that provides 100% financing to folks who are building rental stock. In budget 2022, in response to stakeholders and members of the opposition, we are doubling the affordability of the units from 20% of all the units built through RCFI to 40%. I hope that the member can support that process.Goods and services taxHousingHousing Accelerator FundRental Construction FinancingTax exemptionBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion): (1105)[English]Thank you, Mr. Chair.I'd like to start by acknowledging that I'm joining all of you virtually from the traditional land of the Algonquin Anishinabe peoples. As we all know too well, this decade has had an incredibly difficult start.[Translation]Housing has a critical role to play in ensuring that we seize this moment and continue to progressively realize the right to adequate housing.Our government has set out an ambitious agenda to make housing more affordable for everyone in Canada, tackling the issue from every angle that will have an impact. We’ll do this by making further investments in programs that are already making a difference through our National Housing Strategy, a 10‑year plan, backed by more than $72 billion in investments, to give more Canadians a place to call home.[English] Through our national housing strategy, we have helped house over 1.1 million Canadians since 2015. That's because we put in place different programs that address the different housing needs of Canadians. This includes more funding for the national housing co-investment fund and enhancements to the rental construction financing initiative and the federal lands initiative.These programs to create more housing are working, but we need to free up roadblocks at the municipal level. That’s why we will be launching a housing supply accelerator fund to increase the housing supply in Canada’s large and most rapidly growing urban regions. It will include financial incentives for new housing units and measures such as upzoning, inclusion rezoning and transit-oriented development, modernized permitting systems, and a more responsive housing supply to improve housing affordability and accessibility.Next week I will be co-hosting a national housing supply summit with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to bring together all orders of government and all sectors. Now more than ever before, we need our provincial and municipal partners to work closely with us. I will also be working to develop a fairness in real estate action plan to ensure that there's more protection and transparency for both homebuyers and renters.On the other hand, through Reaching Home, Canada's homelessness strategy, we will continue to support communities across Canada to prevent, reduce and eventually eliminate chronic homelessness. So far this program has helped thousands of Canadians, and I look forward to sharing an update in the coming weeks.(1110)Similarly, through the rapid housing initiative, we will continue to create more urgently needed housing for those who need it the most. This program, Mr. Chair, is very close to my heart. We launched it a year ago and we now see that we've exceeded our targets and are on track to create over 10,000 new permanent, affordable housing units. Over 40% of these will support indigenous families. First nations, Métis and Inuit people face some of the worst housing conditions in the country. That's why, on top of the previous supports in the programs that I have listed so far, we will be working with indigenous partners to co-develop a northern, urban and rural indigenous housing strategy, as was recommended by this committee last year.Mr. Chair, having grown up in social housing myself, I can't overemphasize what having a reliable roof over your head does for people. I saw it first-hand, and that is why I couldn't be more committed to this mandate that is ahead of me. In my role as Minister of Diversity and Inclusion, I know just how important an equitable housing system is to creating communities where everyone feels they belong. Even as we celebrate Black history month, recent events have made it clear that the fight against racism requires vigilance, allyship and a sustained commitment. This government will continue to combat racism and discrimination in all its forms. I'm sure members are as thrilled as I was two weeks ago when we kicked off Black history month by announcing a carve-out of $50 million through the national housing co-investment fund to support Black Canadian renters across the country.Before I conclude, I also want to make a brief mention of the Canada housing benefit. This benefit is a prime example of why we need all orders of government to work together, as this $4-billion fund, in collaboration with provinces and territories, provides direct rental support payments to Canadians. The national housing strategy is all-encompassing, Mr. Chair, with many ambitious initiatives to make sure every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home.I turn it back to you, Mr. Chair, and I would be happy to take any questions from the committee.Thank you.Black CanadiansCanada Housing BenefitCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCities and townsFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment policyHomelessness and homelessHousingHousing Accelerator FundIndigenous peoplesNational Housing Co-Investment FundNational Housing StrategyRapid Housing InitiativeReaching HomeRental housingSocial housingRobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English]Thank you.MattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English]Yes.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English]We have regular meetings to go over housing policies and also to get updates on various programs, like the rapid housing initiative.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English] That is correct.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English]I can talk to you about our government's position on that—MattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1110)[English]I'm happy to talk about our government's position on this.You know my position on this, both inside and outside the House of Commons. I'm happy to repeat our government's position on this question. Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingTaxationMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1115)[English]Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.I welcome this opportunity to once again unequivocally state that the Government of Canada is not looking at charging capital gains or any surtaxes on primary residences. This is not under consideration by our government, and any suggestion otherwise is false. We've said this again and again. I want to assure the honourable member once again that our government is not even thinking of or considering charging capital gains taxes on primary residences.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingTaxationMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1115)[English]Groups can meet members of Parliament. You know that. Different groups have met with you and other members of Parliament. It's part of our democratic process. However, our—Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingTaxationMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1115)[English]We have ensured that we have housed 1.1 million Canadians since the beginning of this government in 2015. We have built over 480,000 units of housing through the various programs in the national housing strategy.Through programs like the Canada housing benefit, in addition to building housing and preserving housing stock, we are also making sure that we put in place direct rental supports for those who need it. The Canada housing benefit is a program that is working right now in every province and territory to support Canadians.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingNational Housing StrategyMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1115)[English]No. I said that we helped 1.1 million Canadian families meet their housing needs.In terms of the number of units that we've built, it's 480,000 units.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1115)[English]We know that housing supply is one of the tools we need to make sure there are more homes available for Canadians, including more affordable housing. There is more work to be done. I agree with the honourable member.That's why, in our mandate, we will move forward to implement a new housing accelerator fund to help speed up housing projects and put money on the table to enhance the capacity and the ability of municipalities, non-profits and others to build more affordable housing. It will also build a more flexible first-time homebuyer incentive, a new rent-to-own program to help renters become homeowners, and measures to prevent renovictions.We're doing everything we can with the national housing strategy, but we intend to do more to bring in this really important and substantial housing accelerator fund. We know that a lot of the backlogs in building permits and zoning—and moving forward with more housing supplies more quickly—are at the municipal level. What are we doing? We're working with municipalities by putting together a housing accelerator fund to enable them to build more housing supplies and to do it more quickly. This will also enable them to hire more officials and, as I said, eliminate barriers to the development of more housing much more quickly.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingHousing Accelerator FundMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1120)[English]Thank you so much.I remember making that important announcement in your constituency.Our government is taking concrete actions to protect the most vulnerable Canadians. I'm proud of the fact that our national housing strategy is doing exactly that. We announced a new $4.3-billion Canada community housing initiative, through the national housing strategy, that is helping to protect community-based housing for some 330,000 households across the country. In addition to this, a few weeks ago we announced $118.2 million over seven years through the federal community housing initiative, to support 18,000 units of community housing. This will preserve these units and their affordability and protect the most vulnerable. This is on top of our previous investment of $500 million for the federal community housing initiative, which will protect tenants and stabilize the operations of some 55,000 affordable housing units in federally administered community housing projects.The co-op sector and the co-op model have worked really well in all parts of Canada, including in Nova Scotia, where the honourable member made that announcement with me. It shows that our national housing strategy is working right across the country from coast to coast to coast. We're tackling the housing needs of Canadians right across the housing spectrum, from those on the street who need a permanent place to call home, to those who need co-op, non-profit and deeply affordable housing, to building more purpose-built rental buildings through the rental construction financing initiative.We're also enabling more Canadians to access their dream of home ownership through the first-time homebuyer incentive.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCooperative housingGovernment policyHousingNational Housing StrategyWayneLongSaint John—RothesayWayneLongSaint John—Rothesay//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1120)[English] I love this program. The rental construction financing issue is really about building the next generation of rental housing in our communities. As we all know, the very people who contribute to making our communities and urban centres dynamic and providing a good quality of life for all of us are increasingly being priced out of the rental market, and they're having to move further and further away from the places in which they work. Through the rental construction financing initiative, we are contributing to the building of 71,000 new rental units across the country, enabling teachers, construction workers, paramedics, firefighters and others to stay in the places where they work and play.It's a financing initiative. We get all that money back, but in exchange for that financing we create rental housing and communities, because one of the conditions of the rental construction financing initiative is that folks who apply for that financing have to build close to transit, close to work, and close to schools and community services. We are building communities. They also have to abide by our energy efficiency and accessibility guidelines.We are making a difference. One of the projects I was lucky enough to announce before we moved virtually—and I was there in person—was the first purpose-built rental building in Coquitlam since 1971. With 301 units of affordable rental housing, 100 will be deeply affordable. Right across from a transit hub, right next to a YMCA, the building was built in collaboration with the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, the City of Coquitlam, a non-profit organization and a private developer. That's how we build more rental housing in Canada. The rental construction financing initiative is working really well to do that.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingRental Construction FinancingTonyVan BynenNewmarket—AuroraRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1125)[Translation]Thank you for the question.[English] It is a very important question. Housing supply is something we're very much seized with. We understand the importance of building more housing supply faster.One of the things we have noticed, obviously, and it should be clear to all members, is that we in the federal government have a role, and so do the provinces and territories. We also know and understand the critical role played by municipal authorities in the zoning policies and permitting processes that lead to more housing. We have to be there with them to incentivize things like inclusionary zoning, transit-oriented development, and speed up the permitting and zoning processes so we can build more much-needed housing supply and do it faster. We're doing that through the housing accelerator fund, and we intend to work with them.In addition to that, I want to tell the honourable member that the national housing strategy programs are trying to address the different housing needs of different Canadians who are in different parts of the housing spectrum.If you look at what we intend to do, for example, we are enabling more federal lands to become available to non-profits to build more affordable housing. We are using the housing accelerator fund to offset the cost of land, so municipalities can build more affordable housing. We are introducing programs like the rent-to-own program to enable more Canadians to own their first home, and we are enhancing the first-time homebuyer incentive. We know there's more work to be done. The national housing strategy has achieved many outcomes. We're blowing past our targets, if you look at the rapid housing initiative, for example. For a program that just started recently, we are on track to build 10,250 units.The housing accelerator fund, and other ways in which we can move forward, will enable us to really address the issue of housing supply, including more affordable housing of course.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCities and townsFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment policyHousingRapid Housing InitiativeDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-Hubert//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1130)[English]The plan is to enable us to continue the progress we have made through the national housing strategy. Those programs will continue, and they are delivering more affordable housing, but in addition to that, we recognize more work needs to be done.The housing accelerator fund that I referred to in my previous answer is not exclusively for building more affordable housing. It's for building more housing supply, period. As part of that mix, that housing accelerator fund can and will be used for building more affordable housing by municipalities, for example, by offsetting the cost of land.We also intend to make more federal lands available for the building of more affordable housing. That's another way we're encouraging the building of more affordable housing. The federal lands initiative is a great model. We need to expand it. As I just mentioned, our support for the co-op sector is going to continue.We know a lot of work has been done, but more work needs to be done. I agree with you that we need to build more affordable housing in Canada. That's exactly what we're doing, including the recently announced results of the rapid housing initiative, through which 10,250 permanent new affordable housing units will be built. That's progress. That's 10,250 people or families who will be off the street and have a permanent place to call home.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingNational Housing StrategyRapid Housing InitiativeSocial housingDenisTrudelLongueuil—Saint-HubertRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1135)[English] Mr. Chair, how much time do I have to respond?BonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1135)[English]Thank you.Let me make it absolutely clear: Federal lands that are made available to communities are made available only for affordable housing. They're made only to make sure that the housing that goes on those federal lands will add to our stock, our national numbers of affordable housing. I can make that absolutely clear. No federal lands will be used to build housing that is not affordable. It will always, always be on that condition. Anyone who wants to access the federal lands initiative has to abide by those conditions.The second point I want to make is with regard to something you spoke about. In no way, shape or form did I imply that there's a problem with municipalities, per se. We work very closely with municipalities. In fact, on our rapid housing initiative, we were able to exceed our targets because of our close collaboration with municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. We intend to work with them through the housing accelerator fund, because we recognize that projects are taking too long. The supply of housing needs to come on board faster and in larger quantities. When I say “housing supply”, I mean both deeply affordable housing and housing supply for middle-class Canadians. It's about incentivizing them to do that.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationFederal Lands InitiativeGovernment policyHousingRapid Housing InitiativeSocial housingRobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1140)[English]First of all, it's really important to understand that for our national housing strategy programs, for existing initiatives but also for any proposed new programs like the housing accelerator fund, we will always, always take a rural lens, a rural and remote community lens, to make sure their needs are also taken into consideration. In addition to that, when we talk about new programs like the rent-to-own program, that will also, of course, serve Canadians who live in rural and remote communities. As well, when we talk about the federal lands initiative, for example, we have a lot of federal land in all parts of the country, not just in urban areas. Obviously, those will also be made available to build more affordable housing.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingRural communitiesAlexRuffBruce—Grey—Owen SoundAlexRuffBruce—Grey—Owen Sound//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1140)[English]No Canadian deserves to be on the street. For any Canadian who finds themselves experiencing homelessness, that's something we're all concerned about, particularly for those who served us with honour and dedication. I know there's leadership across the country, including the program you referred to, but there's also leadership from municipalities like London, Ontario, where they've eliminated chronic homelessness among the veteran population. Through Reaching Home, our federal anti-homelessness program, we are providing direct support to community entities to provide services to those experiencing homelessness and temporary, transitional and permanent affordable housing solutions. If you look at our spending over the last two years, we've actually doubled the support for the fight against chronic homelessness. In our throne speech and commitments, we have changed our target from reducing homelessness by 50% to a new target of the elimination of chronic homelessness in Canada. We're going to get it done in partnership with our municipalities, provinces, territories and the non-profit sector.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHomelessness and homelessHousingVeteransAlexRuffBruce—Grey—Owen SoundAlexRuffBruce—Grey—Owen Sound//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1140)[English]You are absolutely right, it is something about which we are extremely concerned. We will take action, both as a government but also in collaboration with provinces and territories and using some of their tools to make sure we deal with this problem head-on. We're looking at a number of options, including using our Canada Revenue Agency tools to examine this issue and looking at the options we have to tackle this quite concerning issue. Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingRental housingSocial marginalityAlexRuffBruce—Grey—Owen SoundRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1145)[English]I believe the rapid housing initiative has been an amazing success. We have demonstrated that a new, rapidly implemented housing program can build housing in a matter of months. The reason we have been able to do that is the collaboration, as you said, with municipal governments and non-profits. This is a program that has far exceeded its targets. Its initial target was to build around 7,500 new affordable and permanent housing units. We far exceeded that, and now we're on track to build 10,250 affordable housing units in record time, from 12 to 18 months. Some of them will be in even less time. I've seen projects that went through the first round that already have people living in them and were built in four to eight months.The rapid housing initiative is an example of what can happen when we work closely with our municipal partners, deliver the money directly to them, allow them to invest in projects as they see fit, and trust them to make those decisions. That is precisely what we have done.In terms of the future, I hope we can continue this program, because it's working really well. Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingRapid Housing InitiativeChadCollinsHamilton East—Stoney CreekChadCollinsHamilton East—Stoney Creek//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1145)[English] Absolutely. That's a really important question. It highlights the need for collaboration. Many municipalities want to build more housing, and they want to build it faster, but they are encountering obstacles. An example is land. Their fiscal capacity sometimes doesn't allow them to acquire that land and build affordable housing. Other barriers to the faster building of housing include infrastructure upgrades. These are things like needing to expand the local water treatment plant so you can build another 2,000 units of housing for middle-class Canadians. These are real challenges being experienced by small, medium and large municipalities.We're saying, as the federal government, that if we intend to see more supply in this country we have to do our part to incentivize them—especially municipalities—to bring in things like inclusionary zoning and transit-oriented development. We want to help in terms of their capacity to do more by enabling them to hire more zoning and permitting officials, as well as helping with the cost of land so that they can build more housing. All those things are on the table. This housing accelerator fund will go a long way toward enabling municipalities to build more housing supply faster.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationCities and townsFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment policyHousingChadCollinsHamilton East—Stoney CreekChadCollinsHamilton East—Stoney Creek//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1150)[English]Yes.RobertMorrisseyEgmontRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1210)[Translation]Thank you for the question.[English]I want to start by talking about our government's efforts.[Translation]Since 2015, we have invested over 4.5 billion dollars in housing in Quebec. This led to building or repairing more than 580 000 dwellings.Last fall, we were very pleased to announce a bilateral agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec. This agreement will result in a combined investment of an additional $3.7 billion over 10 years to improve the housing conditions of many Quebec households in need.As part of our commitment to end chronic homelessness, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have spent over 70 billion dollars in Quebec through the Reaching Home program.To quickly create permanent homes for the most vulnerable, we created the Rapid Housing Initiative. Through this initiative, we have partnered with the government of Quebec to invest 179.8 million dollars in 68 projects. This represents 1 491 new dwellings in the province.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingRapid Housing InitiativeSocial housingLouiseChabotThérèse-De BlainvilleRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1215)[English] I have no doubt that the Government of British Columbia has been a really strong partner to our government when it comes to being ambitious in the area of affordable housing. No relationship is more important to our government than the one with indigenous peoples, including those who live in urban areas. We're fully committed to working with indigenous peoples to co-develop an urban, rural and northern indigenous housing strategy following the “for indigenous, by indigenous” principle.That work is already under way. For example, in the rapid housing initiative, almost 40% of the units created will target support for indigenous people, including those living in urban areas, and $638 million has already been allocated specifically to housing that benefits indigenous people living in urban, rural and northern communities. When it comes to the infrastructure piece, I've had conversations with my colleague, the Honourable Dominic Leblanc. He completely supports our approach to making sure that our infrastructure investments, including investing in transit and our transfers to provinces, also leverage housing and ensure that there's more affordable housing that comes out of those investments.The municipal housing accelerator fund will also enable municipalities to offset some of the costs that will inevitably arise when you increase housing supply, and those costs are mainly in infrastructure.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingIndigenous peoplesRapid Housing InitiativeBonitaZarrilloPort Moody—CoquitlamRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1215)[English]Yes, I am.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationGovernment policyHousingMoney launderingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1215)[English]I will turn to the president and CEO of CMHC to answer that detailed question.MattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendMattJenerouxEdmonton Riverbend//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1220)[English]I'll turn to Madam Bowers to answer that question.MattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendRomyBowers//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1220)[English]That program has a lot of potential, because we know there are lots of federal lands from coast to coast to coast. What we intend to do is enhance that program so that more federal lands can be made available to those who are willing to build affordable housing and guarantee affordability for a long period of time. We are fully committed to doing that, and we will be moving forward on that, absolutely.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationFederal Lands InitiativeGovernment policyHousingMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendRobertMorrisseyEgmont//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020AhmedHussenHon.Ahmed-HussenYork South—WestonLiberal CaucusOntario//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/44/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpgInterventionHon. Ahmed Hussen: (1220)[Translation]Thank you very much for the question.[English] It is really important to highlight how our government has really moved forward on entrenching housing as a human right. We've moved forward with the appointment of a federal housing advocate, which is a key commitment that we delivered in under 100 days, as we promised in our election platform.In addition to that, if you look at the rapid housing initiative, the national housing strategy, the national housing co-investment fund and many other programs, the priority populations mentioned there include women at risk and women and children fleeing gender-based violence. You can also look at the outcomes of the rapid housing initiative, whereby a lot of those permanent, new, affordable housing units are going to be provided to women and children fleeing gender-based violence.In addition to that, the Canada housing benefit is a game-changer. It is allowing many women at risk and women and children fleeing gender-based violence to be able to pay their rent and access independent housing when they're in a vulnerable state. We're coming through with that Canada housing benefit, which is now, by the way, operational in every province and territory. Through other programs, for example the supports that we're providing to the non-profit and co-op sectors, most recently with a new top-up announcement funding of $118 million, we're ensuring that women and children are protected in those co-op units, where they receive much-needed subsidies. We're protecting those subsidies; we're protecting those units, and we're ensuring that women have a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue those outcomes. In budget 2021, we are bringing future money forward through the national housing co-investment fund and dedicating that to providing supportive services, transitional housing and permanent housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence.Last but not least, we also committed to topping up the Canada housing benefit by an additional amount of over $300 million. That money will be exclusively dedicated to funding rental supports directly to women and children fleeing gender-based violence.Canada Mortgage and Housing CorporationDomestic violenceGovernment policyHousingNational Housing StrategySorayaMartinez FerradaHochelagaRobertMorrisseyEgmontINTERVENTIONParliament and SessionDiscussed TopicProcedural TermCommitteePerson SpeakingParticipation TypeSearchResults per pageOrder byTarget search languageSide by SideMaximum returned rowsPagePUBLICATION TYPE