“My kids had trouble affording a home. The government isn't helping. They aren't building enough homes for young people. They're wasting time making new bureaucracies instead of fixing the problem.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Build Canada Homes Act
A bill to create another Crown corporation to "support" affordable housing. In debate, the Liberals claimed this bill would make a real difference, while the Conservatives pointed out it contains no actual targets or measures and will just add more bureaucracy. Liberals also congratulated themselves a lot on their alleged progress on housing overall.
“The housing bill isn't bad because any help is good now. But I don't like that the federal government is taking power from Quebec and the provinces. They already agreed to work together. Why not just transfer money to the provinces and let each one handle its own housing problems? That would be better.”
“I want the different governments to work together on housing. But the real goal should be to spend less money and make it faster to build houses. That's what the federal government should focus on.”
“I want the government to build houses and use more wood from Canada. But they're too slow. They should give money to companies that make wood. One group in my riding can't build houses because the government hasn't given them money yet. The government talks a lot but doesn't do enough.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“The government doesn't care about forestry. They only care about oil. They mentioned oil way more than forestry in a document.”
“I want to put the Bloc in a political bind. Will you vote yes and admit this bill is bad for your forestry programs? Or vote no and look like you're against a housing bill with 'Canada' in the name?”
“The government is too slow. It must spend more money now to build houses and help my region's industry. We will still vote yes because we don't want to look like we're against housing. But the government should spend more on our programs.”
“The budget should mention wood more because wood builds houses. The government should care about forestry more. My friend asked the government this a lot, but they didn't listen. Why won't the government listen to us and help the industry we like?”
“The government doesn't care about softwood lumber. I want the government to help my preferred industry more. The government shouldn't let the Americans push us around. The government should spend money to fix this.”
“I support Bill C-20. This bill will create a new government program to build more housing. The government should spend $13 billion on housing. This will help my constituents. The government should do more to help rural areas like my riding. The government should spend money on infrastructure and transportation too. The government should spend money to create jobs.”
“This bill will build barely 1% of the homes we need. Why spend so many billions for almost nothing?”
“I'm filling time by quoting someone who likes the bill. I want more government housing programs.”
“The federal government is too slow. They make programs but they don't act quick. Now housing projects are stuck waiting. Maybe you see it too.”
“I'm in the same kind of riding as you. Our government is new. Give us time. We need to pass this bill. It will unlock everything. I've had many announcements and shovels in the ground. I talked to forestry people. I want to build more.”
“I used to be on a city council. Cities have to juggle many things at once. Housing is one of their big issues. How will this bill make things better for cities?”
“I'm defending this housing bill. I talked earlier about a big housing project near Bridgewater. Why are people who don't like the bill not talking to all the groups involved? Why aren't they helping get the project started?”
“I'm against this housing bill. Crown corporations are slow and expensive. Real home builders say the government should set clear goals for this bill. My old government's housing plan had real targets. This plan costs $13 billion with no targets. I bet a lot of that money will just go to Crown executive bonuses, not homes.”
“I want the member to say he is against housing projects that governments are already working on together. I think that will make him look bad.”
“I don't have to be brave. Provinces need some federal money, but the federal government doesn't need to be in the homebuilding business or pick winners and losers. Just help fund the provinces.”