Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, Canada led the invention of modern artificial intelligence, and now AI is used by millions of Canadians every day. Canadians want AI to strengthen our economy, to enhance job opportunities, to deliver new research and innovation, to protect our communities and our national sovereignty and to always prioritize people. Can the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation update the House on Canada's new AI strategy?

Mr. Speaker, I tremendously respect the member opposite's experience here, and she said something really interesting. She said that she has never seen anything like the current government for moving fast. A year ago, Canadians elected a serious and pragmatic government in a time of tremendous uncertainty, and I would say that what we were exactly elected to do is to move fast and with purpose. Would she not agree that is what Canadians expect out of this government?

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that there is a difference between good faith, constructive criticism and whatever it is the member does on a regular basis. Everything is a conspiracy and everything is division, fear, anger and hyperbolic nonsense. Frankly, it is sad and it is embarrassing. Would the member acknowledge that Canada is not broken and that, in fact, our government is doing exactly what it was elected to do?

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite. I think she did a great job of highlighting and reiterating a number of government announcements, so I want to thank her for reannouncing that good news here in the House. She mentioned new announcements and new commitments every few weeks, and I concur. That is exactly what we are doing. I think there is a fundamental difference, though, between our perceptions of what is spending versus what is an investment. When we hear the members opposite talk about spending, they are coming from a “Canada is broken” world view, whereas on this side of the House, we believe in Canada, we believe in Canadians, and that is why we are investing in Canada. Would the member not agree that is exactly what we were elected to do?

Mr. Speaker, it is good to hear from the member opposite and to see him back here in Ottawa. Our government is working collaboratively with the Province of Ontario to cut the HST on new homes and cut development charges. We are working with Premier Ford, municipalities and affordable housing providers. There has been a very favourable response from the homebuilding industry. Premier Ford said, “Our government will continue to deliver on our plan to protect Ontario in partnership with the federal government and municipalities by lowering the cost of building, getting shovels in the ground faster, cutting red tape and investing in workers.” Would the member opposite agree with Premier Ford?

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the hon. secretary of state bringing forth closure on this very important legislation, it being a key campaign promise. I happen to represent the majority of the Hamilton Jewish community, who are extremely supportive of the bill and the protections it would offer for their places of worship, their synagogues, and the places where they gather and deserve to be safe. I was wondering if the hon. secretary of state could talk about the consultation that has gone into this legislation and the need for it to be passed as quickly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely beside myself right now. I heard the member opposite defending the use of the noose as a symbol of hatred. It is absolutely disgusting. Withdraw those comments. That is beyond the pale, sir. There are white supremacist rallies in communities across this country, including in Hamilton, and for a member of this legislature to defend the use of a noose as a symbol of hatred is completely unacceptable. Withdraw those comments.

Madam Speaker, we have heard the “Canada is broken” rhetoric over and over from Conservative members, in which they stand up and gleefully cheer for any downturn in the Canadian economy as an opportunity to score cheap political points. It is a sad reflection, and it is insulting to Canadians. It is insulting to businesses and to Canadian workers. Recently, the May job report showed 88,000 new jobs were created. Unemployment is dropping, wages are growing faster than inflation, and the International Monetary Fund has concluded that Canada has the strongest economy in the G7. Will the member opposite please acknowledge that Canada is not broken?

Madam Speaker, it is absolutely shocking and very disappointing to hear the member opposite disparage our government's $10-a-day child care program. This is such an important program for families and for women to be involved in the workforce. Hearing Conservatives talk about private options being preferable just shows how out of touch they are. The American president caused a global war against Iran, which is at risk of causing a global recession with the highest increase in oil prices ever. Will the member opposite criticize the American administration on the record?

Mr. Speaker, as a structural engineer, I spent a lot of time with the building code, so it was interesting to hear the member's speech, which focused quite a bit on the building code across Canada, the national code. One of the issues in Canada is that we have individual building codes for each province. There is no standardized code, which really impacts our ability to standardize housing design and to scale modular housing. I would also remind the member that, as he knows full well, building codes are a minimum standard, so it is kind of interesting to be talking about reducing minimum standards even further. I want to talk about the need for increased energy efficiency in building codes. Yes, that does increase the initial purchase price, but then it has a far better life cycle cost for that house. The member spoke about a cost lens. I wonder if he also thinks that should include the life cycle cost when we include energy efficiency.

Mr. Speaker, when the member and several others opposite stand up, it is often the same string of hyperbole and cynicism that we hear over and over again. I often think about how sad it would be to live in a world that is that cynical all the time about everything. I grew up in Canada's steel city, Hamilton. My family worked in the steel industry. Steel is in our blood. I want to give the member opposite the opportunity to acknowledge the harm that Donald Trump and his illegal and unjustified tariff war against Canada have caused to Canada's economy.

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite spoke about her real concern for the affordability concerns that her residents are facing. She spoke a lot, in particular, about the increase in fuel prices and how that impacts farmers, as well as the increased costs of fertilizer. I just want to give the member an opportunity. This has been caused by a unilateral war by the Trump administration against Iran, which caused the single largest increase in oil prices in world history. Would she acknowledge that as being the root cause of the current increase in fuel prices?

Mr. Speaker, as the representative for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, I want to take this moment to congratulate the Ancaster Lions Volleyball Club. The 18U rep team won a gold medal at nationals this past weekend in Calgary. The adage in sports is that we want to win the last game we play, and for many of these players, this was their last game of competitive volleyball. It was just amazing to go out on such a tremendous victory. I want to thank the coaches: Ed Bosveld; Coach Smitty, Jeff Smith; Caleb Joosse; and Brenden Vanderkruk. As I reflect on this amazing achievement, I realize the importance of competitive sports, especially on the development of young men in their lives. It gives them a competitive outlet. There is the commitment, the training, the practice and the work on self-improvement. There is the personal responsibility that comes when the team relies on its players, and learning that their actions have consequences. Players learn that sometimes life is not fair and that, even when they do everything right, sometimes they do not win, and they have to learn how to deal with those losses. They have to train for success, learn the value of hard work, eat healthy and have healthy habits. Above all, there is leadership and what it is to be part of a team working together towards a common goal. We are so proud of all the years of hard work by the athletes, coaches and the parents who supported these athletes all the way along. I say, “Way to go, boys.” On that note, I will reflect on the spring economic statement. There is a $775-million investment in sports infrastructure and programming, from house leagues to the Olympics. Having been through competitive volleyball for a number of years, I can see first-hand the need for that investment on the ground in communities, in particular in the Golden Horseshoe area for court sports, such as basketball and volleyball, and for racquet sports. I am committed to advocating for those investments in our community. I also want to take a moment to say happy birthday to my wife. It was her 50th birthday this past week when we were in our ridings. Members might ask how we celebrated her birthday. Well, it was a riding week, so we went to the Legion for Catch the Ace. We had a great evening. Everyone was very welcoming, but I do owe her a little bit more of a special evening event. As we move on to the spring economic statement, I want to reflect that, just over a year ago, Canadians elected a serious, pragmatic government. Over the past year, our focus federally has really been on three major priorities: our economic and national security, responding to major global uncertainty and maintaining Canada's economy in constant in the face of that uncertainty. We are focused on affordability, lowering costs, supporting families, cutting taxes, and economic investments. In my personal role in advocating for federal investments in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, my focus is on infrastructure spending, housing, and investments in the skilled trades and the next generation of workers. I am really optimistic about Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas's future. We have seen positive momentum in Canada over the past year, and Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas are very well positioned for future growth. Our industrial base continues to power Canada's economy. We have one of the most diverse economies in all of Canada, led by steel and manufacturing and by health care and life sciences, which are actually Hamilton's largest employers. We are also leaders in research and innovation, with three post-secondary institutions in my riding, McMaster, Mohawk and Redeemer, leading in research and innovation and the skilled trades. Hamilton is a place that is known for labour for the skilled trades, and it will continue to lead in those sectors. Of course, it goes without saying that there are challenges. The illegal American tariffs are an ongoing economic pressure for local industry. This is with an ongoing, unprecedented uncertainty in the world as we are dealing with a now hostile neighbour to the south. There are issues in Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Taiwan and China, and a U.S. administration that has caused the single largest increase ever in the price of oil. While the U.S. has caused this problem and is risking a global recession because of it, it is the rest of the world that is left mitigating the impacts. I also want to reflect on some of the successes of the past Trudeau government. There are three areas that come to mind as being particularly high points for the Trudeau government. The first is environment and climate change, making key commitments to take action on climate change, beginning Canada's transition to an electric future and taking action on mitigation of climate impacts. The second is the protection of minority rights, in particular the rights of women. We have seen, in the U.S., systematic and deliberate erosion of the rights of women. MAGA-style politics is the basis for a lot of the current conservative approach. When I was watching The Handmaid's Tale with my wife, some of the flashbacks they showed hit a little too close to home, where we could see that kind of Christian nationalism taking form in the United States at this very moment. I want to talk about my Bloc colleagues as well. They are leaders on the separation of church and state, and I would like to work with them more collaboratively on how to make sure we continue that fundamental differentiation in Canada. Last, the Trudeau government had an amazing response to the COVID pandemic. In hindsight, of course, our vision is 20/20. At the time, I was with the City of Hamilton, and we were dealing with the most profound public health crisis of the past century. From vaccines to taking concrete steps and leadership around the world in the face of a crisis, I think this will stand the test of time as being one of the shining moments for Canada. That brings me to the need for true leadership in a time of crisis. There has been economic momentum in Canada, with Canada having the strongest fiscal position in the G7, among the highest employment growth, the second-highest GDP, inflation within the Bank of Canada's target range and wage growth exceeding inflation. We are the most tax-competitive jurisdiction for new business in the G7, and we have the lowest marginal tax rate. We have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and not just by a little bit. It is five times lower than Germany's and 10 times lower than the United States'. We have the best credit rating; record-high oil and gas production; record-high global investment, the highest in the G7, double that of the U.S.; and a 40% increase in non-U.S. trade in the last few months. We are making investments to maintain this momentum. Locally in Hamilton, we are supporting workers with a regional tariff response plan, buy Canadian procurement policies and protections against unfair foreign steel dumping, and we are making major investments in Canada's economy, not for the next year or the next election cycle but for the next century. We have invested $115 billion in infrastructure, including the $51-billion build Canada strong fund; $25 billion in housing, including $13 billion on build Canada homes, modernizing modular construction and supporting the housing industry; $30 billion toward defence and industrial strategy, currently at 2% of GDP, with a goal to be at 5% within five years; and $115 billion of investment in productivity, innovation and trade diversification. We are taking fiscal responsibility for Canada's finances. We are balancing the operating budget within three years, a $60-billion savings target, and we are already $11 billion lower than targets. On top of all of this is diversifying Canada's trade, making real investments to diversify our reliance on one single trading partner, the United States. That work is already showing dividends right now, because Canada is not broken. Our challenges exist, but we are defining our own path. With respect to federal affordability measures, we have also cut income tax. We have provided relief on gas prices by removing the consumer carbon tax, saving consumers 18¢ a litre, and by suspending the federal fuel excise tax, saving consumers 10¢ a litre. All of this is, as I said, in the context of ongoing global conflicts. Canada is facing real challenges, such as global instability, tariffs and economic uncertainty, but Canada also has enormous strengths, which our government is leveraging: strong institutions, skilled workers, natural resources, industrial capacity, and innovation and research. The spring economic update focuses on protecting Canadians while preparing for the future, because we are optimistic about Canada's future, we are optimistic about Hamilton's future and we believe in Canada and Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize that part of the build Canada strong fund, that $51-billion build communities strong fund, also includes investment in community infrastructure, recreation infrastructure and sport infrastructure. On top of that is a specific $775 million to build up sport across Canada, as I said, from house league level all the way up to Olympic level athletes. I completely agree with the member opposite that the federal government needs to take a leadership role in investing in sports and sports infrastructure, along with partnerships with the provinces and municipalities across Canada. That is something I will continue to advocate for.

Mr. Speaker, I did not get to that in my speech, but I am glad I get to answer it here. As we are investing $51 billion to build Canada strong and $13 billion in the affordable homes plan, or Build Canada Homes, we need to make sure that we have the next generation of workers in the skilled trades available to work on those projects. I spent 20 years working in heavy civil construction, working with workers in the skilled trades directly. I know the amazing benefits those jobs have to communities, as well as the high pay and the pride workers take in the job they do when they are working in the skilled trades. Our government is investing in the next generation to make sure they have the jobs to provide for their families.

Mr. Speaker, the member spoke about his time serving in Canada's Armed Forces. Just recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time at the HMCS Star in Hamilton speaking with recruits, reservists, veterans and cadets, the young men and women in Canada's military who are so proud of their country and their service. I spoke with the commander who talked about the increase in recruiting and interest in serving in Canada's military and the new opportunities for an advance presence in Hamilton. I wonder if the member could comment on our role, as the federal government, in making sure that everyone who is serving Canada in our military, in the Armed Forces, is protected and safe in their service.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, was at the commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic over the weekend, at HMCS Star, speaking to the commander about the generational investments our government is making in the military, increasing recruiting, and seeing the youth, the recruits, the men and women in the reserves and the veterans. This bill is all about supporting those in the military and ensuring that the victims are supported and trusted. Justice Arbour's recommendations mentioned civilian courts. Could the member expand on what more needs to be done at the provincial level to make sure that prosecutions done at the provincial level are successful?

Mr. Speaker, Canada is part of a dangerous and divided world. We are seeing a lot of uncertainty throughout the geopolitical sphere, a war in the Middle East causing unprecedented gas hikes at home, and just ongoing chaos. How important does the member think it is to have stability here at home in Canada? We are seeing the Prime Minister continuing to be recognized as a global leader, bringing that leadership to Canada but also recognized around the world for his leadership and stability. How important does the member think it is for that unity and stability to follow through here at home in Canada?

Mr. Speaker, it is fascinating to watch members of the opposition perform in this place for their social media accounts, for their Conservative propaganda networks. That is what we are seeing here. This is just complete nonsense. It would be nice if, for once, the members opposite would actually work with the government, work together to do what Canadians are asking our government to do, which is to move forward with the critical issues at this time and not just perform for their propaganda networks.

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, we are going to be commemorating the Battle of Stoney Creek, a tremendous victory by British regulars, indigenous warriors and Canadian militia over a hostile American government. Of course, just down the QEW, past St. Catharines, we have Queenston Heights, where Major General Isaac Brock fell defending Canada against another hostile American government. The member for St. Catharines is acutely aware of the history of the Battle of Stoney Creek in the Niagara area. Can he comment on how important it is to have Canadian unity and stability?

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite raising the issue of privacy concerns and the right of Canadians to maintain access to their data and know it is secure. However, as has been noted, law enforcement across the country has been overwhelmingly in favour of this bill. We have been talking to members of the Hamilton Police Service and the Hamilton Police Association. This is their number one ask, because criminals are using electronic tools to commit crimes and police need the correct tools in their tool box to stop those crimes from happening and to hold criminals responsible. Would the member opposite agree that it is our obligation as a government to protect Canadians from crime and to support police and law enforcement?

Mr. Speaker, Hamilton is Canada's steel city. Hamilton industry and Hamilton workers built Canada, and our industrial base continues to power Canada's economy. Today Hamilton has one of the most diverse economies in Canada. We are a national leader in advanced manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, construction and the skilled trades. Life sciences and health care are currently Hamilton's largest employment sectors. Recently the International Monetary Fund highlighted that Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7, among the highest employment growth, and the second-highest GDP growth, with growing exports and inflation under control, all despite American tariffs and global uncertainty. While there are significant challenges ahead, in no small part due to the Trump administration, Canada remains a global leader, and that is the result of serious, pragmatic leadership, starting with the Prime Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I have been fortunate to have a good working relationship with Hamilton police and the Hamilton Police Association. One of the things they bring up on a regular basis is the need for the tools that are in this bill to properly investigate crimes. The secretary of state mentioned in her speech the discussions that she has had with OPP and law enforcement. I was wondering if she could expand on that and the response that she has had from law enforcement across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the comments from the member for Parkland were a very thoughtful review of the legislation that is before us. He brought up some really important points on the rights of privacy and freedoms, as well as the issue of cross-border data, which is something that could require additional investigation. Of course, the purpose of the legislation is to identify, investigate and prosecute threats, including drug trafficking, terrorism and violent crimes, etc. I think we all see a priority to hold criminals responsible and to give police the tools that they need to investigate crimes and to stop crimes before they happen. Would the member opposite agree that the discussion could continue at committee and that additional changes could be made to make the legislation before us even stronger and more effective?

Mr. Speaker, as a member from Hamilton, I know it has a very strong activist community that pushed the boundary on a number of issues, as it has every right to do, and I appreciate its contributions. However, in this context, I want to focus in on the member's comments about white nationalists and white supremacy movements growing in Canada. That is something that we have seen in Hamilton. There have been a number of white supremacist rallies, masked thugs in public with symbols of hate. Why would the member be opposed to taking stronger action against that?

Mr. Speaker, again, we just have this ongoing misinformation here in the House of Commons. The purpose of the combatting hate act is to protect vulnerable communities from what we are seeing on the ground in municipalities across the country, such as acts of growing anti-Semitism, intimidation and targeted harassment, and white supremacist rallies on the streets, with hate symbols and the enacting of acts of hate in public. What organizations or individuals is the member opposite referring to who are advocating to commit hate crimes in the name of their religion? Who?

Mr. Speaker, some days I do not even know where to start, given the string of conspiracy theories. I am learning so much about this whole other world that most of Canada and most of the world has no idea even exists. It is a whole other language that apparently people need to be plugged into the freedom convoy network to even understand. We have heard about activist networks, ideological enforcement units, radical socialist judges, pinko blue Liberals, utopian fantasies of rapists and hitmen and the World Economic Forum, with some anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans hate sprinkled in just for good measure. Does the member actually care about freedom of expression or just freedom to do whatever she wants?

Mr. Speaker, for the record, the bill was introduced over six months ago. It spent over 33 hours of debate in committee. The Conservatives have just engaged, in that entire time, in a countrywide campaign of misinformation and grift. At its core, the bill codifies the definition of hatred as extreme detestation or vilification, and a hate crime as a public incitement of hate or hate against an identifiable group. This would clarify the law. It would provide clearer tools for law enforcement, so my question to the member opposite is this: What religious organization, what faith, is advocating for hate crimes on behalf of their members?

Mr. Speaker, throughout this discussion this afternoon, I have been trying to understand what the Conservative objection to the combatting hate act actually is. The best I can tell is that they are asking for freedom from accountability, basically. In the bill, hate is defined as detestation or vilification. We have seen white nationalist rallies, public symbols of hate, the growth of white supremacist clubs, the diminishment of reproductive rights for women, anti-abortion hate, hate against women, hate against LGBTQ individuals, hate against trans individuals, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia—

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your evaluation of the points of order here. As I was saying, my understanding of what the members opposite are actually advocating for is freedom from accountability. When I talk to clergy and religious leaders in my community, I basically ask them a simple question: Do you advocate for hate crimes on behalf of your religion? They say, “No,” and there is no further discussion.

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise as the member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas. In less than a year, our government is delivering for Canadians. We have cut income taxes. We have delivered affordable child care and affordability tax credits. We are strengthening buy-Canadian procurement to support Canadian workers and Canadian industry, and we are investing in the infrastructure that Canada relies on: ports, transit, Hamilton's LRT project, roads and bridges, sports facilities and recreation centres. We are building more housing and protecting jobs in the steel and auto sectors. We are growing the shipbuilding and life sciences sectors in Hamilton, strengthening health care and reducing our reliance on the United States by expanding new markets for Canadian businesses. We are creating new jobs and opportunities across the country, including here in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas. Canadians elected a government that is strong, stable and focused on building a more prosperous future for our country. I am proud to share some of the great work we have achieved so far.

Mr. Speaker, the despicable behaviour from the members opposite continues. We have had six months of debate on this topic, and the members opposite are now bemoaning the fact that we are finally calling the question on this. It is ridiculous. As for the impact on communities in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, we have seen an unprecedented rise in anti-Semitism. There have been white nationalist rallies in Hamilton. We are seeing an ongoing erosion of reproductive rights for women. These tactics and emulation of the politics from the United States are absolutely reprehensible. Your leader and your deputy leader have called for action on anti-Semitism. Will you follow their example and vote in favour—

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments from the member opposite, especially those drawing on his experience in policing and the need for clear laws and enforceable rules. These are exactly the requests that the Hamilton police have made in our consultations about the combatting hate act. There has been a 35% increase in hate-related crimes in Hamilton, primarily against Black, Jewish and LGBTQ individuals. White supremacist rallies with hate symbols are routinely going through municipalities across Canada, including in Hamilton. My question for the member opposite is this: Will he listen to the requests from law enforcement across the country or the extremist wing of his party?

Madam Speaker, I apologize that my question is not in French, but I really appreciated the speech from the member opposite. The combatting hate act was developed in close consultation with impacted communities, with faith communities and with police across Canada. The member made some important points, including that the show, the performance, we are seeing from the members opposite is extremely unfortunate. I really question the motivation for what the Conservatives are doing. I would like the member opposite to comment on what he sees as the damage of this performance, of building the bill up to be something it is not, in a purely cynical way, to fundraise and gain followers, likes, clicks and subscriptions.

Madam Speaker, I am listening closely to the discussion this morning on the combatting hate act here in the House of Commons, and I have to say that the comments and the approach in the talking points of the Conservative members are absolutely shameful, from the countrywide circus, the show that they are putting on, to the mobilization of communities of faith and the division and hatred. My question for the member is this: What I am seeing here is the MAGA wing of the Conservative Party of Canada. On the heels of shootings at synagogues in Ontario, I was on the phone this weekend with members from my community who were asking when the combatting hate act is going to be passed. That is what this is about. The discussion from the members opposite is absolutely shameful. Have they no shame?

Mr. Speaker, it always astounds me when members stand up in the House and have absolutely no clue about what they are talking about on the ground. The member opposite talked about past housing projects. Through the housing accelerator fund, $93.5 million went to the City of Hamilton. That was used to build nearly 3,000 additional homes and housing units and for building growth-related infrastructure. In terms of CMHC funding, nearly $200 million went to CityHousing Hamilton and affordable housing projects in the City of Hamilton. Before members stand up and speak nonsense, they should know the facts.

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite quoted some lyrics from The Offspring, which I really appreciated. It is also a band from my youth. I am going to quote some lyrics from another band, a hometown band from Hamilton called the Arkells, and its song about cynical people. It goes: If you're the kind with nothing to say, You heard about this party, But you're praying for rain. Now, if you want me to boil it down, All you cynical [people], Get out of town now. Will the member opposite take the advice of the Arkells?

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Sherbrooke. Housing affordability is one of the defining challenges that Canadians face today. Across this country and in my community of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, families are really concerned about the cost of housing and whether their children are going to be able to afford a home in their community. Build Canada Homes is an important step forward in addressing the housing supply crisis across Canada. I want to begin by acknowledging plainly that the cost of housing is far too high. While incomes have been increasing, we are nowhere near the sustainable market that we need where the average income earner can afford an average-priced home. Young Canadians are feeling locked out while renters are feeling squeezed. Parents worry whether their children will be able to live in the communities where they grew up, and seniors cannot afford to downsize in their own community. My kids are 17 and 19, and as a parent, I think about this often. My children are at the age when they are starting to look towards independence. They are going off to university. They are building a life of their own, just like so many kids in so many families across Hamilton. I want them to have those opportunities to be able to stay in Hamilton, get a job and be able to afford the lifestyle that they deserve. A big part of that is being able to afford a home in their community in Hamilton. I do believe Hamilton is a city of tremendous opportunities. We have strong industries, amazing opportunities in the skilled trades and small businesses, access to nature and vibrant communities and neighbourhoods, but those opportunities only exist if housing is affordable and attainable. Before being elected to this role, I served nearly two terms on Hamilton city council. A significant portion of that was as the chair of Hamilton's planning committee. I also worked as a licensed professional engineer in the construction industry. I have worked on construction sites and navigated the approvals process, so I understand how homes actually get built. I do acknowledge and understand how easily projects can be delayed or be made unviable through permitting and business cases. Over the past several years, the City of Hamilton has been very proactive and has taken significant steps to enable housing development and construction. The City of Hamilton modernized zoning to allow more as-of-right development, expanded permissions for secondary dwelling units and reduced parking minimums. They set a firm urban boundary and protected the greenbelt from development, and promoted smart, sustainable infill growth throughout the city. I really believe that Hamilton is a leader across Canada when it comes to municipal housing reforms to make sure that the permitting and permissions are in place to get as much housing built as possible. A really important part of that was the implementation of the City of Hamilton housing secretariat. This created a real housing strategy, with centralized accountability and faster approvals for housing projects across the city. That structure is making a measurable difference. Hamilton and representatives from all levels of government have been working with the housing development industry to ensure good quality developments are approved for construction as quickly as possible. In fact, the City of Hamilton recently implemented a 20% decrease in citywide development charges, applying to both residential and non-residential development, with the goal of boosting housing construction and promoting jobs during the difficult downturn in the construction market. The housing secretariat is currently prioritizing over 30 projects within a three-year investment plan that is expected to deliver, at minimum, 2,100 new affordable housing units, of which 511 will be supportive units and 138 attainable, low-income or geared-to-income special markets. We are hearing from the mayor and council that Hamilton's application through the Build Canada Homes fund will be targeting 4,500 new housing units, leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in private, institutional and public funding across all levels of government. That is the plan moving forward, which this legislation would help unlock for cities such as Hamilton and municipalities across Canada. That is what coordinated action looks like to provide more affordable homes, with the federal government taking a leadership role and stepping up to the table with the housing accelerator, agreements, relief for first-time homebuyers and historic investments in housing and housing-enabling infrastructure. It is important that we also be honest about how we arrived at this moment, and it is not just the opposition's talking points about the last 10 years. Over the last 25 years, Canada has experienced historically low interest rates. Housing increasingly became viewed as not simply shelter but an investment asset. That happened across multiple federal governments, from Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin through Stephen Harper and into recent years. Housing markets evolved in ways that encouraged commodification. Families found themselves bidding against investors, homes sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking, and real estate became tied to global capital flows, which was then accelerated even further with unprecedented inflation during COVID and the resulting increase in the cost of construction. The current housing affordability crisis was not created in a single year by a single government. It reflects long-term structural pressures. At the same time, many of the core legislative tools that directly shape housing supply and affordability, for both ownership and rental housing, are strictly under provincial jurisdiction. In Ontario, the Planning Act, the Development Charges Act, the Residential Tenancies Act, the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Ontario Heritage Act are all provincial acts and provincial systems. I also want to talk about supportive housing. When we talk about supportive housing, the wraparound supports that are needed include addictions treatment, mental health treatment and health care services. These are strictly within provincial jurisdiction as they are tied to provincial health care systems. In Ontario, municipalities are often left carrying significant financial and service delivery responsibilities that have been downloaded from the province. As an example, Ontario Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, and broader provincial policy decisions downloaded about $55 million in annual expenditures to the City of Hamilton, which resulted in a 2.4% property tax increase each and every year for every single City of Hamilton property taxpayer. That is not a sustainable system. Costs cannot be continually downloaded onto municipalities. I am optimistic that new partnerships through Build Canada Homes will come forward with the province of Ontario, and provinces across Canada, but we need all levels of government at the table to be successful, and we need to be working toward solutions that actually work. I know there is a genuine desire across the House to see more affordable housing units built, and that is something that all members share. Build Canada Homes reflects that understanding. It is designed to streamline federal funding so that projects move faster. It seeks to scale up modular and prefabricated home construction to improve productivity. It emphasizes energy efficiency and quality, ensuring that the homes we build today are net zero and are reducing costs for families over the long term. Most importantly, it positions federal funding to be proactive, to unlock and leverage private investment, rather than simply react to market cycles. I want to reflect on the position of the homebuilding industry in municipalities and communities as a major employer. Many of these builders are people I have worked with for years as chair of the planning committee. They provide thousands of jobs in Hamilton and drive billions of dollars in economic activity. Local homebuilders in Hamilton are our partners, and they actively deliver quality housing. This growth drives the need for roads, transit, water and waste-water infrastructure. New housing construction enables infrastructure, and infrastructure enables more housing. When we build homes, we support thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from the skilled trades and suppliers to manufacturers and small businesses. Hamilton has the workforce and the expertise required to scale growth responsibly and efficiently. It took nearly a quarter of a century of structural market shifts to create today's affordability challenges. They are not going to be solved overnight. With Build Canada Homes, supported by unprecedented federal housing investments and long-term infrastructure funding, we are aligning federal tools with municipal action, and we are working with provincial partners toward genuine, long-term solutions to housing affordability in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I see the Build Canada Homes Crown corporation as similar to the approach that the City of Hamilton took with its housing secretariat. It would be an oversight agency, to make sure that $13 billion of funding is flowed through to the areas across the country where it is needed most. On top of that, there is another $51 billion in infrastructure, which would offset a lot of those costs that are going into development charges, allowing municipalities to further reduce development charges with the goal of a 50% reduction.

Mr. Speaker, I think the member opposite brings up an interesting point in the fact that we recognize the need to build more homes faster, and the goal was to double the speed of construction across Canada. My experience is that this takes a cultural shift. This needs to have the government get to a point of yes, and that is what Build Canada Homes would do. It would build a way to get those approvals done faster and get to yes, to get those houses built.