“I'm the government. I want to shut down debate on my housing bill. We should vote without more talk.”
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 yet another federal housing agency, because apparently CMHC, the Crown corporation that's supposed to handle this, isn't enough. The Liberals insisted this is needed because of a housing crisis, while the Conservatives pointed out the Liberals have been in power for 8 years. Much of the debate consisted of the Housing Minister praising this new agency he gets to oversee.
“I think the government is expanding too much. We already have three agencies for housing. Why do we need a fourth? Why are we rushing this through?”
“We're in a crisis. Many Canadians can't find affordable housing. Canada needs more non-market housing like Europe. We need a new agency dedicated to that. It's urgent to create this new Crown corporation to take action and deliver results.”
“You love creating expensive new bureaucracies. There are simpler ways to get more affordable housing built. Why not simplify building codes instead of spending money on a whole new agency? Have you talked to other ministers about simplifying building codes so industry can build homes at prices people can afford? Why not let people build more homes directly?”
“Building codes are a provincial responsibility. The federal government is not supposed to interfere with how provinces and cities set standards for new housing. But I have a plan to tweak those building standards anyway. We need a new layer of federal codes and certification for manufactured housing parts. It's more important to certify the parts than to let industry build homes at prices people can afford. My new codes will tell the whole country what to accept.”
“The Liberals did this. They made the housing crisis worse, not better. Their red tape and restrictions caused it. The crisis came from them.”
“The housing crisis isn't our fault. It's everyone's fault. Every government made this problem. We all share the blame. The feds didn't build enough housing. The provinces didn't help enough. Local governments had challenges approving enough housing fast enough too. Build Canada Homes could help a little by attracting some private money. We should spend money on that.”
“I represent a remote riding. Housing costs more to build there. Sometimes 25% more. Even more on islands. Everything has to come by ship. Build Canada Homes should give those places extra money. Or projects there will stall. It can't use the same budget as cities. The minister should know remote places cost more. Will his program adapt to that?”
“I know remote places cost more. We have a deal with Quebec. And with Nunavut. It's good news. We will build hundreds of homes there. We can make the parts in factories. Ship them to remote places. It is more efficient. The program helps places that cost more.”
“I don't have much to say about the bill itself. I just want to cheer for our side and claim we work well with others. The other side isn't helping at all. They'd never pass our bill. I'm glad the housing minister is doing a good job. Please tell me more about how we work with Quebec and provinces. And say something about accountability.”
“This is all going great. Lots of places say they'll build homes using our program. We have deals with most provinces now. They say they'll build thousands of homes. Look, that's a lot of homes! We're doing a good job. I just keep saying our program is popular. I don't have to say how many homes we'll actually build or when they'll be finished. I won't mention market reforms to make housing cheaper. I just say lots of people want to use our program. That must mean it's good.”
“I'm upset the minister didn't answer my emails. I want you to think he's being disrespectful. That's my whole point.”
“I don't like his email. Walk over here and lets talk. I'm willing to talk about housing. I promise I'm focused on building homes.”
“I want the minister to remember that prefabricated houses actually cost more for us in Gaspé. I hope the government won't forget that shipping costs money.”
“Shipping prefab homes is pricey, but it's worth it to cut construction waste. Build Canada Homes just needs to factor it into the cost. It would be even better if we could get local people to assemble these homes.”
“These Conservatives keep sending letters and emails about housing. I just want to talk about my own big announcement. Look at all the money we're spending in New Brunswick! That's the important thing.”
“I'm filling time repeating nice things about New Brunswick to make the MP look good. Notice all the spending happening there.”
“I want you to know that I like New Brunswick's building policies. I want their lower governments and programs to make more homes. I want other provinces to copy that. That will let my government take credit.”
“The current government's housing plans are too slow. You will take 1,000 years to finish! Housing should be a provincial job, not federal. Special government housing groups really help private interests, not everyday people. The government should cut taxes and get out of the way instead. That will build homes faster.”
“I want the government to control and spend on housing through a new federal Crown corporation. I want more public money and federal tools pushing this program. I promise this new federal spending will somehow make home building easier and faster for provinces, cities, and private companies.”