Housing continues to remain a hot topic in the House of Commons.
In response to a question from the NDP, Housing Minister Sean Fraser admits the GST rebate on new builds is not enough on its own.
"We're going to continue to make investments in low cost financing to build more homes that ordinary people can actually afford. We've advanced programs in the past and will continue to in the future to directly subsidize the kinds of homes low income people need to build."
Meanwhile theNew Democrats are pushing for an acquisition fund for the non-profit sector to stop the loss of low cost housing to profiteering.
Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan notes the failings of previous governments have led to dire straits.
"The average rent in Canada is now over $2100 a month, in Vancouver its over $3000, time for bold action."
The Liberals say there must be an increase of availability in the market and have the government encourage the construction of both low and mid-income housing.
Hill Times: Courts unlikely to provide fifth extension to Ottawa to address Lost Canadians before November, says immigration lawyer
Parliament needs to “just get on with it” and address the issue of “lost Canadians” through amendments to the Canada Citizenship Act, according to Jenny Kwan, NDP critic of citizenship and immigration.
She told The Hill Times that she wonders if a judge would have the patience to grant the federal government a fifth extension on a court order requiring action before the current November deadline.
“This is astounding. What the current situation is right now is that Canada’s Citizenship Act, with respect to lost Canadians, is in violation of the Charter [of Rights and Freedoms], and [Bill C-3] will make it Charter-compliant,” said Kwan (Vancouver East, B.C.).