Caroline Desrochers

Mr. Speaker, I know that the city of Hamilton, which my colleague represents, is home to a port that is really pivotal to the commerce of the steel industry, just like the port of Trois-Rivières in my own riding, and is supporting thousands of jobs in his riding. I am wondering if my colleague could tell the House how this bill is going to accelerate the development and expansion of trade corridors in his region, including through the port of Hamilton.

Mr. Speaker, the new school year is well under way in Trois‑Rivières, and I want to wish all of our students, teachers and staff a wonderful school year. Again this summer, the Canada summer jobs program provided about 250 young people in Trois‑Rivières with their first work experience and the opportunity to get involved in organizations that make a real difference in our community, including day camps and Carpe Diem, an organization that works with people with Alzheimer's. These experiences help our young people gain confidence and develop skills that will serve them well for years to come. Our government continues to invest in the future of young people by investing in job opportunities and the team Canada strong program, by supporting families in their daily lives and by building more affordable housing in our community of Trois‑Rivières. I want to wish all of the students in Trois‑Rivières and their families a great year filled with new discoveries, exciting projects and success.

Mr. Speaker, I was very curious to hear my colleague talk about how the Conservatives have been keeping up the fight to maintain affordability for Canadians. I find that a bit ironic. If that is the case, I am wondering if my colleague could explain why they voted time and time again against all measures of affordability for Canadians, including the dental care plan, the tax break for 22 million Canadians, pharmacare and the national school food program. I could continue, but the House is only sitting until midnight.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to talk about Bill C-38. Everyone knows that we have been experiencing tumultuous times for over a year now. During the 2025 election, we made a firm commitment to be there to help Canadians, and that is what we have been doing since our new government took office. We have introduced measures to improve affordability for Canadians. We are also laying the foundation for a more long-term economic vision to build a stronger and more resilient economy, while addressing all of the challenges posed by the unfair trade war. We have introduced programs to help workers and businesses weather the storm. Obviously, what we are focused on this evening, particularly in our debates, is how to support families and make life more affordable. Since we very first took office, we have truly stayed the course. We are doing what we said we would do and we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more solid economy in the future. We have already implemented many affordability measures. Earlier, it was interesting to hear my colleague opposite talk about the current military conflict and the impact that it is having on gas prices. If I recall correctly, last spring, when we began talking about the potential effects of this military conflict, many of the members opposite were laughing and saying that we were making something out of nothing. Today, it is very clear. Every time Canadians go to the pumps, they see just how much of an impact conflicts and the geopolitical situation around the world can have on us. What we are proposing today are in fact measures to extend the suspension of the excise tax that we announced in the spring. We announced earlier this month that we would extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax until January 31, 2027. We will then gradually reduce it by 50% until the end of March 2027. Like all the measures we have taken since the beginning of our new government's mandate, these measures are well thought out, gradual and rooted in reality. We live in the real world, in the real world that Canadians live in. We want to take time to review the situation and see if it will change. That is why we are taking this gradual approach. That will really help reduce the daily expenses of families and Canadians, and it will help businesses in the food, agriculture, housing, construction and delivery sectors. With the suspension we announced in the spring, which has been extended, the federal excise tax of 10¢ a litre on gasoline and four cents a litre on diesel has been suspended. It is estimated that this will save about $5.75 per tank of gas. Assuming that many families fill up about once a week, that adds up to fairly significant savings at the end of the year. This is just one of many examples of everything we are doing to continue to help Canadians deal with the challenges of our times, including the cost of living. We are doing all this while also laying a solid foundation for the economy, as I said earlier. We currently have the strongest growth in the G7. We just returned from an exceptional week during which people from around the world converged in Toronto because everyone is interested in what is happening in Canada, and in the message our government is sending to businesses and investors, both foreign as well as major Canadian pension funds. That is why, last week, we saw record commitments to invest $500 billion here in Canada. Suspending the excise tax is one measure among many aimed at making life more affordable for Canadians. We have announced, implemented and extended several such measures since the beginning of our mandate. What is clear from our actions is that our government will continue to be there for Canadians. The social programs we have put in place continue to play a central role and are truly the key to everything we do. We will not leave any Canadian behind. We know that many families are struggling to make ends meet. People do not need abstract promises. They need tangible, immediate and lasting support. That is what we have been doing since we took office, since our new government's mandate began last year in April 2025. I will mention a few measures that we have put in place. There is the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which helps 12 million Canadians. As we speak, those 12 million Canadians are already benefiting from a GST credit supplement that will truly provide them with additional support. This assistance will provide a family of four with up to $1,890 in the first year and then $1,400 a year in subsequent years. That is real support for groceries, bills and everyday expenses. However, that is not all that we have done. We have also eliminated the federal consumer fuel charge. That measure was made official a year ago when Bill C-4 was passed. We have also reduced income tax for nearly 22 million Canadians. We lowered the tax rate for the first income bracket from 15% to 14%. These are tangible savings that add up. Earlier, my colleague mentioned the launch of the Canadian dental plan. When I talk to people in my riding, Trois-Rivières, I see that the cost of living is a key concern for them. It is a top priority, just like the tariff war and the economic situation. These are the issues that matter most to them. People are always talking to me about the dental plan. When I visit seniors' residences, people are always talking to me about the dental plan. It changes people's lives. It provides real support to families who are not fortunate enough to have very generous insurance plans. Being able to count on the dental plan makes a real difference. We have also eliminated the GST for first-time buyers of homes costing less than $1 million. Of course, this is in addition to all the work we are doing to make housing more affordable, particularly through Build Canada Homes. Naturally, we are building affordable housing and social housing across the country, but it is also important to support Canadians, particularly young families, so that one day they can plan on getting on the property ladder. These are concrete measures. We have also introduced measures to reduce the costs associated with the banking system. We know that, sometimes, when families are struggling, cheques can bounce. One thing leads to another and then another, increasing stress for people and families who are struggling to make ends meet. That is why we have set a $10 cap on the fees banks can charge customers when their accounts are overdrawn. In closing, I will say that we are here for Canadians. We have proven it through concrete measures. Extending the fuel excise tax holiday is one of the other measures we have already taken. It is true that we are living in difficult times. It is true that Canadians everywhere are going through tough times, but on this side of the House, we will always be there to help Canadians by making life more affordable.

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we listen to Canadians. We held pre-budget consultations. We travel around our ridings and listen to what people have to say. Canadians elected us in 2025 based on the plan, the real plan that we submitted to them, with figures no less. They elected us on that basis. We made a commitment to Canadians that we would keep moving these measures forward, and that is what we are doing. We are living up to our commitment. We continue to be there for Canadians with measures like the one under discussion this evening.

Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. We actually just made an announcement today regarding the Canada rental protection fund. We have now opened applications for the Canadian housing acquisition fund, which will preserve existing affordable housing to ensure that it is not put back on the market at a higher rent after being renovated. We are investing $1.5 billion in the Canadian housing acquisition fund. This is, of course, in addition to everything else we are doing through Build Canada Homes. We have already signed agreements with 19 provinces, agencies and organizations to build affordable housing across Canada. We are talking about social housing and affordable housing. We also changed the definition of affordable housing to lower the threshold to 30% of a family's income, to ensure that Canadian families can afford housing that meets their needs and fits their budget.

Mr. Speaker, I talked about the Canada groceries and essentials benefit in my speech, as did some of my colleagues. These are all measures that are helping Canadian families cope with higher grocery costs. On top of that, we also created a national food security strategy, which will really help the food processing sector and help lower grocery costs.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where my colleague is getting his information, but I would encourage him to refresh his search skills, because then he would see that we added 88,000 new jobs to the economy, that the cost of rent is starting to drop and that wages are on the rise. However, we know that too many Canadians are still unable to cope with the high cost of living. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We implemented a national school food program. We have the Canada groceries and essentials benefit for 12 million Canadians. I really hope that, while the Conservatives are in their ridings this summer, they will take some time to think about all of the times that they voted against Canadians during this parliamentary session.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the battle of Trois‑Rivières, a historic milestone that occurred on June 8, 1776, in my beautiful riding. At the time, the American colonies were trying to make Canada and Quebec their fourteenth colony. However, they suffered a crushing defeat at Trois‑Rivières and retreated. That battle marked a turning point. It helped to preserve our identity, our territory and our ability to stand up for ourselves. In many ways, this is where it all began for the sovereign and independent country that we are today. This battle helped shape the destiny of what would become Canada and reminds us that my region played a defining role in our country's history. Two hundred and fifty years later, we are commemorating not only this historic event but also the rich heritage of Trois‑Rivières and the work of those who preserve our collective memory. I therefore invite everyone to come visit our region this summer and discover this important chapter in our history.

Mr. Speaker, I am curious about something. If the Conservatives are so constructive, I would like the member to tell me, of the hundreds of hours the Conservatives spent speaking on this bill in committee, how many minutes, because, yes, we are talking in terms of minutes, were spent discussing the actual subject at hand.

Mr. Speaker, I find my colleague's remarks odd. She knows full well that we are focused on finding solutions to homelessness. She sits with me on the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, where we discuss this issue. She also knows full well that Build Canada Homes was set up with over $1 billion for transition houses. More than 1,000 units have already been announced. We are working hard on this. On top of that are all the programs that we introduced, such as the school food program for children. We have cut taxes. We are here to help Canadians and improve affordability. I do not know why the Bloc Québécois members are not supporting us.

Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a serious and urgent problem, and it is a shame that it is being politicized today. Canadians deserve safe, stable housing, and that is why we are going ahead with the national housing strategy, which includes an action plan to address homelessness. That is why we are investing more than $1 billion under Build Canada Homes to build transitional housing. That is why we are introducing programs such as Reaching Home, which helps community organizations working to combat homelessness. The Reaching Home program has already helped more than 112,000 Canadians access stable housing. We are there for Canadians, and we will keep working.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-26, an act to authorize certain payments to be made out of the consolidated revenue fund for the purpose of improving housing supply. This bill would authorize the Minister of Finance to make immediate payments to the provinces and territories to support measures aimed at increasing the housing supply. The proposed funding of more than $1.7 billion would help make housing more affordable for all Canadians. This federal funding would be transferred to the provinces and territories and used exclusively for measures aimed at increasing the housing supply, such as reducing development and new home construction fees, as well as for additional investments in existing provincial and territorial housing creation programs. Because we know that the housing market varies from one province or territory to another, we believe that they are in the best position to ensure that the funds are invested where they will have the greatest impact for Canadians. Unfortunately, after calling for such measures for months, the Conservatives are once again trying to throw a wrench in the works and stall this bill in order to prevent the provinces and territories from accessing these funds. Earlier today, the Conservatives moved to adjourn the House instead of allowing this bill to move forward. This is the third time that the Conservatives have moved such motions to adjourn in recent days. Why are they doing this? They know full well that the measures that we are proposing, such as Bill C‑26, will have a positive impact on the housing market. We know that they do not like good news. I am a new MP, and I never thought that elected officials could take satisfaction in the headwinds we are facing, with the tariff war affecting businesses and the geopolitical turbulence that brings new challenges every day. However, we on this side of the House are rising to the challenge. The Conservatives know that Bill C‑26 is part of a series of concrete measures that our government is creating to make a difference and fix the housing crisis. They heard this from many experts, developers, non-profits and government officials who appeared before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities to testify about the importance of lowering building costs and increasing the supply of affordable housing in order to ease the pressure on rents. This is part of what Bill C-26 proposes. They know that this bill complements Build Canada Homes, the new investment agency working to increase the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Since its launch last fall, Build Canada Homes has already reached agreements to build over 11,400 units, most of which is affordable housing. I am tired of hearing them mislead Canadians day after day by saying that Build Canada Homes has not done anything yet. I will provide a few examples. In Nova Scotia, there is a partnership worth up to $300 million to build up to 1,430 affordable housing units. In Manitoba, Naawi-Oodena, a historic redevelopment project carried out in partnership with Treaty 1 first nations and the Canada Lands Company, will see 320 affordable homes built. A total of 2,100 units could be built on the entire site. In Quebec, our governments announced in April a joint investment of nearly $200 million to build 865 new affordable housing units across Quebec. This is on top of the 1,055 units that had already been announced in Longueuil in December 2025. In the north, we have reached an agreement in principle with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to build 750 units, including affordable public housing with support services. In Ontario, we partnered with the City of Ottawa to build up to 3,000 affordable homes for mixed-income households. To sum up, the number of agreements and projects that are shovel ready far exceeds the time I have to speak. These projects also mean thousands of jobs for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and many local businesses across the country. In an uncertain economic environment, our government is choosing to invest in Canada and Canadians. Last week, the House of Commons passed the bill to make Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation. We now hope that it will be passed quickly by the Senate so that this new agency can have all the tools it needs to speed up housing construction. It is important to note that the Conservatives did not make any changes to this bill. However, they voted against it. They voted against the thousands of affordable housing units that will be built across Canada, in the ridings of all my colleagues here in the House. They voted against affordable housing for families struggling to make ends meet. They voted against better housing for seniors who need a bit of a break. Now, once again, they are opposing Bill C-26. I hope that the Canadians listening to us today take note of this and understand what it means, specifically that the Conservatives do not care about affordability. Bill C-26 is part of a package of measures we are introducing to accelerate housing construction in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities. These include measures like the build communities strong fund, which will invest more than $51 billion in our communities, including in infrastructure that enables housing construction, such as water and sewer systems. Housing cannot be built without the underlying systems needed to support it, and the need is great across Canada. Just two weeks ago, the Prime Minister, together with the Premier of Quebec, announced a historic agreement between Canada and Quebec for $10 billion in investments to build more housing across Quebec. That includes $2.6 billion for infrastructure. This is the kind of constructive federalism we support. Our goal on this side of the House is to work and serve Canadians, not to play political games. Bill C‑26 includes other measures, among them targeted tax relief, such as the elimination of the 5% GST on new rental housing. Here again, the goal is to reduce upfront costs and move projects forward. Programs such as the apartment construction loan program and the CMHC's mortgage insurance products are available to help builders secure financing. The proposed $1.7 billion in Bill C-26 would give the provinces and territories the flexibility they need to take targeted measures to increase the housing supply quickly and effectively where communities need it most. This flexibility is essential, because housing needs are not the same in Whitehorse, Montreal, Halifax, or Iqaluit. The provinces and territories are best positioned to determine the measures that will rapidly increase the housing supply in their communities. Collaboration with the provinces and territories is at the heart of this bill. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires a concerted effort in which everyone pitches in, an effort based on collaboration, flexibility, and immediate action. On this side of the House, we understand that. Bill C-26 will help turn our ambitions into meaningful results. We must act now. Canadians need more housing, communities need support, and our economy needs us to keep building. Above all, Canadians need the opposition to get to work. I therefore urge all members of Parliament to support Bill C-26.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows full well that we never said the government was going to build 500,000 homes. Our job is to bring together the conditions needed for the market to build them. The homes themselves will be built by developers and builders. We are working with the provinces to create a regulatory framework that will keep things moving quickly and put financial tools in place to get projects started. We are indeed very proud of the 11,400 housing units to be added to the 260,000 housing starts already made last year.

Mr. Speaker, Build Canada Homes is not yet a Crown corporation. In fact, we are awaiting the Senate's approval of Bill C-20. Yes, this remains one of Build Canada Homes' commitments. We are working very closely, in fact, with the Société d'habitation du Québec on all projects from Quebec that are submitted to Build Canada Homes. We work jointly and are in regular contact with all the organizations that submit projects. I myself meet with dozens of them every week.

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague said earlier, we are already seeing the results of these announcements. However, developers are telling us that they need certainty that this bill will pass and that the funding will actually get out the door. That is what they are waiting for. That is what is making them nervous right now. They testified before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities last week and told us that the market is accelerating and has become much more dynamic since the bill was announced.

Mr. Speaker, I will reiterate what my colleague on the other side of the House said. Yes, the Conservatives talk about it every day in the House, but they do not do anything to support the arguments they are making in the House today. They voted against Build Canada Homes. They voted against the national school food program. They voted against the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. They voted against the Canada child benefit—

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her leadership and her work on this file. This is truly the result of many years of hard work. I am wondering whether my colleague can tell us a little more about the consultation process that led to the drafting of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, our new government has been very focused on securing the Arctic and unlocking the north's potential over the past year. I am wondering whether my colleague can tell us a bit more about how the agreement before us today will support Canada's broader objective of defending, developing and transforming the north.