Madeleine Chenette

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 29 wordsI will be sharing my time with my colleague from Kings—Hants. I think we can all recognize the importance of the issue raised by the motion before us today.Procedure Claims · 19 wordsCanadians are living through a period of economic uncertainty marked by global instability and the rising cost of living. Positioning · 39 wordsIn this context, our government is focusing on what it can control: building a strong Canadian economy, developing our infrastructure, diversifying our trade partners, ensuring responsible financial management and supporting Canadians who are feeling the pressures of everyday expenses.Positioning Reasoning · 29 wordsIn Thérèse‑De Blainville, affordability comes down to a very simple question. What is left over in a family’s budget once groceries, transportation, health care and housing are paid for? Claims · 365 wordsThat is what families, seniors and young people have been talking to me about. Across the country, people are worried about the cost of essentials. In Thérèse-De Blainville, I regularly meet with the outstanding leaders of a wide range of organizations who talk to me about this issue and also propose solutions. I share these practical solutions with our ministers and our Prime Minister to draw inspiration from them. That is why our government understands these concerns and is taking meaningful and responsible measures to ease the burden on households while maintaining economic stability for the long term.Vague promise Since 2025, we have done many things to respond to these realities. We reduced the federal tax rate on the first income bracket and expanded access to the Canadian dental care plan for eligible adults aged 18 to 64.¹² This year, we also increased the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.³ This new benefit, which replaces the GST credit, provides more generous support to more than 12 million Canadians.⁴ Since July 2026, benefits have been increased by 25% for a period of five years.⁵ In addition, eligible Canadians received a one-time top-up payment in June.⁶ For an eligible family with two adults and two children, with a net income of $40,000, the increase and the top-up amount to $805 in additional support.⁷ This measure was actually announced in my riding at La Moisson health food store in Sainte-Thérèse. In total, including the one-time top-up, a family of four can receive up to $1,890 for this benefit year, ⁸while a single person can receive up to $950.⁹ We have also provided temporary relief from the federal excise tax on gas and diesel to support Canadians facing rising transportation costs.¹⁰ We are also investing in our communities. In Thérèse-De Blainville, our investments in projects like Manoir Blainville II are helping to directly address housing needs. This project will provide 70 social and affordable housing units for independent seniors in Blainville.¹¹ These are concrete investments that will increase the housing supply in our community. I speak regularly with the five mayors in my riding and surrounding areas to identify new sites and opportunities for affordable housing and new multi-generational housing concepts. Promise · 14 wordsI look forward to continuing these discussions with our new MNAs on this matter. Reasoning · 14 wordsBy working together, we can act more quickly to find solutions with our constituents. Procedure · 9 wordsNow, I would like to focus on housing affordability, ProcedureClaims · 15 wordswhich remains a challenge for many Canadians, especially those looking to buy their first home. Positioning · 18 wordsThanks to our government’s industrial strategies, economic development is and will be strong in our Lower Laurentians region.Positioning Claims · 11 wordsBusiness leaders are stressing the need for access to local labour. Reasoning · 40 wordsThis means increasing the housing supply. That is also why it is important for our government in Thérèse-De Blainville and the Lower Laurentians to quickly make housing more affordable for renters, buyers and homeowners who are paying down a mortgage. Claims · 245 wordsThat is why we launched the Build Canada Homes program to accelerate the construction of affordable housing at scale across the country.¹² That is also why we are investing in the infrastructure needed to build homes and in measures to lower development charges. We are also ushering in tax changes to make new homes more affordable. Last May, we eliminated the GST on eligible newly built homes valued at up to $1 million for eligible first-time homebuyers.¹³ This measure can save homebuyers up to $50,000 on the purchase of a new home.¹⁴ The rebate is gradually phased out for homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million.¹⁵ For example, a home that costs $1.25 million could qualify for 50% of the maximum rebate, meaning a savings of up to $25,000. This measure is expected to save Canadians $3.9 billion in taxes over the first five years, helping to lower the upfront cost of purchasing a home while encouraging the construction of new homes.¹⁶ To be eligible, first-time homebuyers must meet a number of criteria. For example, they must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old and not have lived, during the current calendar year or any of the previous four calendar years, in a home owned by themselves, their spouse or their common-law partner.¹⁷¹⁸ In addition, we have extended the repayment grace period under the home buyers’ plan from two years to five years for those making their first withdrawal.¹⁹ Reasoning · 21 wordsThis gives new homeowners more time to manage the significant expenses that arise during the first few years of home ownership. Procedure · 9 wordsI would like to return to Build Canada Homes, ProcedureClaims · 223 wordswhich was launched in September 2025 to boost housing supply across the country, with a particular focus on affordable housing.²⁰ It is designed to accelerate the construction of primarily affordable and off-market housing across Canada by bringing together four essential components: public land, flexible financing, expertise in property development and innovative construction methods. While I am on the topic of innovative construction, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the innovation of the company Isothermic in Bois‑des‑Filion, in my riding. This company understands that affordability and energy needs are two important issues in our society. This company is innovating and creating buildings that are more energy efficient, able to withstand wind and water and able to resist the climate of tomorrow.Partly on point Since its launch, Build Canada Homes has advanced six direct housing development projects and established significant partnerships with provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous partners.²¹ These efforts represent more than 11,000 new homes that are currently being built or are scheduled to be built soon.²² In addition, there is the build communities strong fund, our government’s key infrastructure program. This fund provides $51 billion over 10 years, including $3 billion a year in ongoing funding to build and renew infrastructure.²³ After talking with the mayors in my region, I am also identifying opportunities through this fund to improve sports and cultural infrastructure. Reasoning · 29 wordsBeing able to access and participate in culture and sports activities contributes to the quality of life of Canadians and to their physical and mental health and relational well-being.Partly on point Claims · 108 wordsA significant portion of these investments will be used to increase the housing supply and make housing more affordable in our region and across Canada. For example, the investments announced this year in Iqaluit are expected to support the construction of 2,000 to 2,500 housing units by 2031.²⁴ In Headingley, Manitoba, investments are expected to support the construction of an additional 1,771 housing units.²⁵ The expansion of water infrastructure in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, will make it possible to build 1,055 new housing units.²⁶ Other drinking water and waste water treatment infrastructure projects will support residential development projects in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, and Halifax and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Reasoning · 31 wordsAffordability is not an abstract concept. For the people of Thérèse-De Blainville, it means the ability to cover their basic expenses with a little leftover at the end of the month. Claims · 86 wordsThe measures that I presented—including the groceries and essentials benefit, tax relief, dental care, access to sports and cultural infrastructure, help with transportation costs and investments in affordable housing—help alleviate pressures on household budgets. These measures do not make all of the problems go away, but they do provide real assistance with several major expenses in the family budget, while also helping to address the more long-term challenge of housing supply. Canadians expect their government to respond to the rising cost of living with tangible solutions. Positioning · 7 wordsThat is exactly what we are doing.Positioning Claims · 57 wordsOur approach combines immediate assistance, targeted support for those who need it most, an increase in the housing supply, investments in our communities, and responsible management of public finances. As Canada continues to build a stronger, more resilient and more self-reliant economy, we are taking steps to bring costs down today while investing in our long-term prosperity.Vague promise Reasoning · 6 wordsAffordability requires consistency and responsible choices.