“Government officials warned that high immigration affects housing supply. Both Canadians and newcomers need affordable homes. If the Prime Minister plans to bring in more people, where are they going to live?”

“Mr. Speaker, in response to a question about why the Prime Minister is suggesting he will increase immigration levels, even though government officials are warning that housing supply has been impacted, the housing minister gave a completely inane answer that is unbefitting of the gravity of the situation. When newcomers are invited to Canada, they should be able to afford a place to live, and Canadians should be afforded that opportunity, too. If the Prime Minister plans to increase immigration levels, where are all these people going to live?”

“The government is letting in too many immigrants. This makes it too hard for both newcomers and long-time Canadians to find or afford homes. The government needs to lower immigration levels. Will they do that?”

“Mr. Speaker, the government’s own officials are saying that housing is outpacing demand. It has been reported that the Minister of Housing held a $10-million real estate portfolio. That must be nice. I want him to know something. Millions of long-time Canadians and newcomers alike cannot afford housing, and that is because he, the Prime Minister and the immigration minister, a real trio of quality there, are setting levels so high that people cannot afford or find a place to live. Levels must be decreased. Will they agree?”

“There are not enough homes for everyone who needs one. This makes rent go up, keeps young couples from buying a home, and forces newcomers into crowded basements or shelters. The government does not understand this basic problem.”

“Mr. Speaker, here is the reality. When housing supply cannot keep pace with demand, the result is higher rents, higher wait lists and young people giving up on their dream of ever owning a home. That is not fair to young Canadian couples who cannot afford a home to start a family, and it is not fair to the newcomer who was promised an opportunity and ended up in an overcrowded basement suite or a shelter. This is something the government does not get. Why does the government not understand this basic principle?”

• Little substance
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  Opposition question in Question Period

  Signal 37 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“The government created this housing shortage, but the housing minister blames immigration. Officials warned the Prime Minister that bringing in too many people made the shortage worse, but he wants to bring in even more. This is ruining public support for immigration. Conservatives would fix this, and the government should too.”

“Mr. Speaker, what is rich is the housing minister blaming immigration for the housing shortage that his government created. The Prime Minister’s own officials warned him that his out-of-control immigration levels were causing a housing shortage, yet he told The New York Times that he wants to increase immigration levels. His decisions are destroying support for immigration in this country. Conservatives would restore Canada’s consensus for immigration. Why will the government and the Prime Minister not do the same?”