Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Jennifer McKelvie

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-04-30

459 words · 25 sentences · 30 clauses

Replying to Elizabeth May (Green)

“Madam Speaker, I am rising today to pursue a question I asked in question period on February 27. It was right after the British Columbia government came out with its budget. I have to say that I think every British Columbia member of Parliament was shocked. The B.C. NDP government cancelled a very important program: the community housing fund. The reason I raise this in the context of our federal Parliament is that obviously the Canadian government is making many commitments to build many Canadian homes. Housing starts are up. This is discussed, of course, in the spring economic update. My concern, though, which was not properly addressed in question period, is that, yes, the federal government is providing funding to the B.C. government, but we have a real opportunity here that I hope the federal Minister of Housing will seize. The last statistic I can find since I asked the question, after the B.C. community housing fund was cancelled, is that the commitment from the federal government, out of the funds approved through Bill C-15, the budget implementation act’s commitment of $15 billion to the Build Canada Homes agency, was that $170 million was to go to B.C. This is the latest statistic I can find of what is committed from the federal government to the B.C. government. To be clear, that is the total, which includes all kinds of housing: market housing, social housing, co-op housing and so on. The opportunity here for the federal government is huge. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars that municipalities, local communities and non-profit associations have already spent in getting ready to build great housing. They have bought the land. They have hired the architects. They have cleared the studies. They have done the zoning. They are ready to roll, and suddenly, the B.C. government’s decision to pull out of the funding has left thousands of potential homes for British Columbians in peril. There are big question marks now over many projects. My plea to the government in pursuing this question tonight in Adjournment Proceedings is this: Set some clear requirements. Parties have the land. They are ready to roll. They have done their zoning. They have their permits. The plans are ready. It is just a question of a top-up from the federal government, specifically designed for non-profit housing in British Columbia. As I mentioned before in my question when I asked it in February, there are projects on Galiano Island and Mayne Island, and also in Saanich. The Prince George council member Cori Ramsay, who is the president of the Union of BC Municipalities, is saying the same thing. So many of these wonderful projects are going to fall through the cracks. We are ready to go. We are looking for the federal government to commit to creating a special funding program, designed for B.C. in this moment and designed to capture those projects that are ready to roll, shovel-ready, but that may fall through the cracks and never get built unless the Minister of Housing, who is a British Columbian, can step up and design a project that gets the money flowing to build these homes for British Columbians.”

Statement grade

C+

66 / 100, held down by Relevance

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Claims 79%Positioning 5%Reasoning 3%Promise 13%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Madam Speaker, Claims · 67 wordsthe Government of Canada is committed to building homes across the country: smarter, faster, more affordably and at a pace not seen in generations. We are also investing in the essential infrastructure that is needed to support new home construction and strengthen communities. Through budget 2025, we are making generational investments of $25 billion over five years for housing and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure.¹ Positioning · 12 wordsThese strategic investments empower Canadians to get ahead and create lasting prosperity.Positioning Claims · 230 wordsThe federal government is growing Canada’s economy by catalyzing a modern, innovative and more productive homebuilding industry. We are bolstering local economies by creating more jobs right here at home, employing Canadian workers and building with Canadian materials. This is also why the Prime Minister launched Build Canada Homes in September 2025, in order to build affordable homes at scale.² This new federal agency leverages public lands, offers flexible financial incentives, attracts private capital and facilitates large portfolio projects. It supports modern manufacturers to build the homes that Canadians need. We are not doing it alone. The Government of Canada is leveraging its partnerships to get homes built. Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, indigenous partners, and stakeholders across the ecosystem are stepping up at all levels to get shovels in the ground. We are working together to build the homes that Canada needs. On April 7, 2026, the Prime Minister also launched the build communities strong fund.³ It will provide $51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, ⁴and $3 billion per year ongoing to support new and renewed public infrastructure.⁵ The build communities strong fund will invest in a wide range of infrastructure projects that support economic prosperity, housing, education, health, transit and climate adaptation. In partnership with provinces and territories, this investment will also be leveraged to reduce development charges in jurisdictions where these fees are the highest. Reasoning · 15 wordsThis will help to lower the cost of housing construction and get more homes built. Claims · 64 wordsA series of 13 projects have been announced so far under the build communities strong fund, furthering public infrastructure projects and priorities across the country.⁶ The Government of Canada is committed to solving the housing crisis and taking a leadership role on housing.Vague promise We are doing so by removing barriers to construction, reducing risk for home builders and making significant investments in affordable housing. Promise · 45 wordsBy working closely with builders, we will implement innovative solutions to get the job done.Vague promise The Government of Canada will continue to work with our partners to build at an unprecedented speed and scale, from Whitehorse to St. John’s and from Grise Fiord to Windsor.Vague promise Positioning · 13 wordsThese are investments not just in housing, but in people, families and neighbourhoods.Positioning Promise · 13 wordsTogether, we will build homes for Canadians, and we will build Canada strong.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 88

3 of 36 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “These strategic investments empower Canadians to get ahead and create lasting prosperity.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “These are investments not just in housing,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “but in people, families and neighbourhoods.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 36

30 of 36 deductions are Relevance

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the question on notice, as the member's speech raises it.

Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “the Government of Canada is committed to building homes across the country:”States a general commitment to building homes, not any program for the B.C. projects raised.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “smarter, faster, more affordably and at a pace not seen in generations.”General description of the government’s building approach, not the asked B.C. funding.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We are also investing in the essential infrastructure that is needed to support new home construction and strengthen communities.”About infrastructure investment generally, not funding for the B.C. housing projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “Through budget 2025, we are making generational investments of $25 billion over five years for housing and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure.”Cites national budget figures, not a program for the B.C. projects asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “These strategic investments empower Canadians to get ahead and create lasting prosperity.”General benefit statement about the investments, not the question’s B.C. program.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “The federal government is growing Canada’s economy by catalyzing a modern, innovative and more productive homebuilding industry.”About the homebuilding industry broadly, not the B.C. funding gap.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We are bolstering local economies by creating more jobs right here at home, employing Canadian workers and building with Canadian materials.”About jobs and Canadian materials, not the asked B.C. housing program.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “This is also why the Prime Minister launched Build Canada Homes in September 2025, in order to build affordable homes at scale.”Describes Build Canada Homes generally, not its application to the B.C. projects raised.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “This new federal agency leverages public lands, offers flexible financial incentives, attracts private capital and facilitates large portfolio projects.”Explains the agency’s general tools, not funding for the B.C. projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “It supports modern manufacturers to build the homes that Canadians need.”About manufacturers nationally, not the B.C. non-profit projects asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We are not doing it alone.”General statement about partnerships, not the B.C. funding question.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “The Government of Canada is leveraging its partnerships to get homes built.”General partnership statement, not a program for the B.C. projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, indigenous partners,”Lists partners broadly, not funding for the B.C. housing projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “and stakeholders across the ecosystem are stepping up at all levels to get shovels in the ground.”About stakeholders building homes generally, not the B.C. situation.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We are working together to build the homes that Canada needs.”General collaboration statement, not the asked B.C. program.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “On April 7, 2026, the Prime Minister also launched the build communities strong fund.”Introduces an infrastructure fund, not a housing program for B.C.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “It will provide $51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27,”Gives figures for the infrastructure fund, not the B.C. housing funding asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “and $3 billion per year ongoing to support new and renewed public infrastructure.”Continues the infrastructure fund figures, not the B.C. program.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “The build communities strong fund will invest in a wide range of infrastructure projects that support economic prosperity, housing, education, health, transit and climate adaptation.”About the infrastructure fund’s scope, touching housing only in passing.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “In partnership with provinces and territories, this investment will also be leveraged to reduce development charges in jurisdictions where these fees are the highest.”About development charges under the infrastructure fund, not the B.C. non-profit projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “This will help to lower the cost of housing construction and get more homes built.”About lowering construction costs generally, not the B.C. funding gap.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “A series of 13 projects have been announced so far under the build communities strong fund, furthering public infrastructure projects and priorities across the country.”Lists announced infrastructure projects, none tied to the B.C. housing projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “The Government of Canada is committed to solving the housing crisis and taking a leadership role on housing.”General commitment on housing, not a response to the specific B.C. request.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We are doing so by removing barriers to construction, reducing risk for home builders and making significant investments in affordable housing.”General measures on housing, not a program for the B.C. projects.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “By working closely with builders, we will implement innovative solutions to get the job done.”General statement about working with builders, not the B.C. funding.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “The Government of Canada will continue to work with our partners to build at an unprecedented speed and scale, from Whitehorse to St. John’s and from Grise Fiord to Windsor.”General pledge to build nationwide, not the B.C. program asked for.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “These are investments not just in housing,”Rhetorical framing of the investments, not the B.C. question.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “but in people, families and neighbourhoods.”Rhetorical framing of the investments, not the B.C. program.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “Together, we will build homes for Canadians,”General closing pledge, not a response to the B.C. funding request.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “and we will build Canada strong.”Slogan closing the statement, not the B.C. funding question.

Respect · 100

0 of 36 deductions are Respect

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Nothing lost points.

Clarity · 74

3 of 36 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “committed to solving the housing crisis”A commitment with no actor, date, measure or success condition stated in the clause itself.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “implement innovative solutions to get the job done”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition, only unspecified ‘innovative solutions’.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “will continue to work with our partners”A promise to keep working with no date, measure or outcome defined.

Claims · 6

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“$25 billion over five years for housing and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure”Budget 2025 committed $25 billion over five years for housing and $115 billion over five years for infrastructure.search
2“the Prime Minister launched Build Canada Homes in September 2025”The Prime Minister launched the Build Canada Homes agency in September 2025.search
3“On April 7, 2026, the Prime Minister also launched the build communities strong fund”The Prime Minister launched the build communities strong fund on April 7, 2026.search
4“$51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27”The build communities strong fund will provide $51 billion over 10 years starting in 2026-27.search
5“$3 billion per year ongoing”The build communities strong fund provides $3 billion per year ongoing.search
6“13 projects have been announced so far under the build communities strong fund”Thirteen projects have been announced under the build communities strong fund as of April 30, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20