Kevin Lamoureux

“Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Government of Canada’s Build Canada Homes act, especially the important role of Build Canada Homes in supporting Canada’s economy and the federal government’s buy Canadian policy. Since September 2025, Build Canada Homes has functioned as a special operating agency of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Its fast and effective work has allowed this new federal agency to make considerable strides already in increasing the amount of affordable housing available to Canadians. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada homes will have the flexibility and operational autonomy needed to fulfill its mandate. It will follow a clear framework of accountability to the government. That is what makes the Build Canada Homes act a decisive legislative measure. The Government of Canada must strengthen its ability to address the housing crisis and speed up innovation in residential construction. Too many Canadians are having a hard time finding housing that they can afford. Housing costs are rising, supply is not keeping up with demand and productivity in the construction sector is weak. Traditional construction and financing approaches alone are not enough to deliver at the scale or speed that Canadians require. Build Canada Homes consolidates functions that were previously spread out across multiple departments, agencies and programs, which limited the federal government’s ability to maximize its impact. It will act as a developer, a funder, a unifying force and a catalyst for innovation to help create a more productive housing construction sector. Canadians need more housing, and the Build Canada Homes act will enable us to build faster, more efficiently and on the scale required. The global trade environment is changing rapidly. In response, we are building a stronger, more resilient and more independent Canadian economy. At the heart of this strategy lies an ambitious plan to deliver nation-building projects, more affordable housing and stronger local infrastructure. We are strengthening relationships among all levels of government—municipal, territorial and provincial—and with our indigenous partners. We are making strategic investments to build a stronger, more sustainable and more resilient economy. We are working to cut red tape, remove international trade barriers and secure new agreements that will stimulate the local economy. This will require a skilled workforce in the trades. That is why, on April 29, as part of the spring economic update, the Prime Minister announced the team Canada strong initiative. This new $6-billion pan-Canadian initiative aims to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new workers in Red Seal trades over the next five years. The team Canada strong initiative will transform the skilled trades sector and attract more apprentices to the workforce. It will ensure that young Canadians are ready to build the housing and infrastructure we need. It will create new jobs, provide access to good jobs, and strengthen Canada’s workforce of tomorrow. The Government of Canada is taking decisive action now to transform our country and make it more resilient, so that it can move from dependence to resilience. The goal is to make Canada one of the fastest-growing and most competitive economies in the world and to usher in a new era of economic security and prosperity for Canadians. The Government of Canada is achieving this by building on the solid foundation of Canada’s strong industries. We are investing in our future and fostering economic growth through Build Canada Homes and the implementation of the buy Canadian policy. As a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes will be funded by the initial $13-billion allocation announced in budget 2025. Build Canada Homes was created to consolidate federal support for affordable housing in one place by working in collaboration with other government departments and agencies. It is going to move swiftly, use federal lands, support innovative building approaches and establish partnerships in all sectors to build affordable homes. Build Canada Homes is a key part of Canada’s new industrial strategy, and it will contribute to a more productive residential construction sector. Build Canada Homes will prioritize projects that use Canadian-made materials, such as mass timber, softwood lumber, steel and aluminum. It will promote modern construction methods such as modular and prefabricated housing to reduce construction times, material waste and environmental impact. The federal government is leveraging the key relationships it has with private developers, businesses, community organizations and non-profits, and with other government and indigenous partners. By working together, we are creating job opportunities here at home and supporting the Canadian workforce. Together, we are building stronger communities and a stronger Canada. The Government of Canada launched a new strategic framework for the buy Canadian policy, which took effect on December 16, 2025. This policy leverages federal investments by prioritizing Canadian suppliers, content and materials to make the Canadian economy stronger, more resilient to global shocks and better placed to support Canadian businesses and workers. The policy is comprehensive and covers not only direct procurement but also all federal investment. It is enforced by federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations. Build Canada Homes embraces the buy Canadian policy of the Government of Canada. It will do this by prioritizing projects that use Canadian materials, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good jobs. Every new home will lead to increased demand for Canadian steel, wood and aluminum, helping workers and businesses thrive. The buy Canadian policy also provides some flexibility and a road map for provinces and municipalities to implement similar standards in their own procurement processes based on regional realities and priorities. These changes to the procurement rules will create a strong Canadian supply chain and help Canadian industries be more self-reliant and resilient in the face of fluctuations in the global economy. The buy Canadian policy supports strategic sectors like Canada’s construction and defence industries. It applies to projects such as buildings, bridges, aircraft parts and much more. It requires major federal construction and defence procurement projects to use steel, aluminum and wood products made in Canada. In closing, Build Canada Homes is one of a number of strategic efforts by the federal government to invest in our country, protect Canadian interests and make our economy one of the strongest in the G7. Making Build Canada Homes a Crown corporation puts the Government of Canada in a better position to make Canada stronger and more resilient.”