Discussion · Government Orders
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Québécois
“The budget has good funding for housing and homeless programs. Quebec is best at building homes quickly and leading on homelessness. The federal government must send all housing funds and resources directly to Quebec without delay.”
“Mr. Speaker, as far as this issue is concerned, I believe it is primarily Quebec’s responsibility to take action. There are some positive elements in the budget. More non-market housing is a good thing. Strengthening programs that help people experiencing homelessness move into transitional housing is also welcome. We know that Quebec has signed an agreement with the federal government under Build Canada Homes because it is now recognized that Quebec is the level of government best positioned to build this housing more quickly. Obviously, what we would like to see is a streamlined process and for as much of that funding as possible to flow to Quebec. As for the homelessness crisis, with winter approaching, we want recognition of Pauline Marois’s leadership on this issue, recognition of the upcoming homelessness summit in Quebec, and recognition that the leadership on this file lies with Quebec. Today, to use a railway analogy that might please the Minister of Transport, Quebec finds itself in the second or third car of the train. All the necessary tools and resources must be transferred to Quebec without delay.”
Mr. Speaker, as far as this issue is concerned, I believe it is primarily Quebec’s responsibility to take action. There are some positive elements in the budget. More non-market housing is a good thing. Strengthening programs that help people experiencing homelessness move into transitional housing is also welcome. We know that Quebec has signed an agreement with the federal government under Build Canada Homes because it is now recognized that Quebec is the level of government best positioned to build this housing more quickly. Obviously, what we would like to see is a streamlined process and for as much of that funding as possible to flow to Quebec. As for the homelessness crisis, with winter approaching, we want recognition of Pauline Marois’s leadership on this issue, recognition of the upcoming homelessness summit in Quebec, and recognition that the leadership on this file lies with Quebec. Today, to use a railway analogy that might please the Minister of Transport, Quebec finds itself in the second or third car of the train. All the necessary tools and resources must be transferred to Quebec without delay.