April 18, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark two years since the shooting in Nova Scotia:
“On April 18 and 19, 2020, Canadians were left shocked and devastated by an attack in small towns across Nova Scotia that claimed the lives of 22 Canadians, including a woman who was pregnant, and injured three others.
“I join the people of Nova Scotia and all Canadians to remember those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with all those who continue to live with the pain, trauma, and heartbreaking loss from these events.
“We also pay tribute to Constable Heidi Stevenson who gave her life while protecting her community and salute Constable Chad Morrison, who was injured when he encountered the gunman. During one of the darkest days in Canadian history, they, along with the many other first responders, faced danger without hesitation – saving lives and preventing further injury that day.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to remember each of those who lost their lives and stand with all those affected by this attack. To all Nova Scotians: you are in our thoughts and you have our unwavering support. We draw inspiration from your strength and resilience.”
April 17, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
“Forty years ago today, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was adopted with the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and my father, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
“The Charter protects the rights and freedoms that define who we are as Canadians, allowing us to express our individuality and celebrate our differences. Built around our shared values of equality, justice, and freedom, it brings us closer as a country and as a people – and it makes Canada a place of choice for people from across the globe to raise a family.
“The spirit of the Charter should inspire us all as we build a more equal and fairer country for everyone. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we know there is still much work to do to help many Canadians overcome the barriers they face to social and economic participation. This includes confronting painful truths about our history and taking meaningful action to combat all forms of hatred and discrimination.
“This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes and affirms Indigenous and Treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. As we build a better future, we will continue working with Indigenous Peoples to advance meaningful reconciliation toward a renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationship.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to continue upholding our collective responsibility to the words enshrined in the Charter that protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, as we work to build a better future for everyone.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on Passover
April 15, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the occasion of Passover:
“Tonight, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will celebrate the beginning of Passover.
“An eight-day festival, Passover commemorates the Exodus and liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It celebrates freedom, the power of faith and hope, and the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people, who have prevailed in the face of persecution.
“Traditionally, families and loved ones gather around the Seder table to enjoy festive meals and wine, read from the Haggadah, and recite the four questions in celebration of freedom.
“These past two years have been challenging for all of us. Now, as we recover from the pandemic, we have an important opportunity to reflect on Passover’s story of hope, strength, and determination – values that will continue to inspire all Canadians as we look to the future with optimism.
“For all Canadians, Passover is also an opportunity to celebrate Canada’s Jewish community and the many contributions that Jewish Canadians have made – and continue to make – to our country.
“Today, let us all reaffirm our commitment to stand against antisemitism, oppression, and hatred in all its forms and to work to build a better world for all. In Budget 2022, we took significant steps to advance this commitment, including by providing ongoing funding to support Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism and investments in the renewal of Canadian Holocaust museums. We also proposed amendments to the Criminal Code that would prohibit denying or downplaying the Holocaust in Canada.
“On behalf of our family, I wish peace, health, and joy to all those celebrating Passover in Canada and around the world.
“!חג פסח שמח
“Chag Pesach Sameach.”
April 17, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Easter:
“Today, Christians in Canada and around the world will celebrate Easter and commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Easter is a time to reflect on the values of sacrifice, hope, and forgiveness at the heart of Christ’s message. Traditionally, Christians will attend church, spend time with family, and organize Easter egg hunts for children. As the holiest day of the Christian calendar, Easter is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of one’s faith in helping overcome life’s obstacles.
“Easter is about joy. These past two years have been challenging for us all, but as we recover from the pandemic, I invite all Canadians to celebrate what we have accomplished together and look forward with a renewed sense of hope.
“Across the country, countless Canadians of Christian faith continue to demonstrate compassion, kindness, and resilience. They unite communities by volunteering to assist the elderly and vulnerable, and donating to important causes. Day after day, so many strive to demonstrate what it means to love our neighbours as ourselves.
“As we celebrate with our family, Sophie and I wish all those celebrating a joyful and blessed Easter.”
Statement by the Prime Minister on Vaisakhi
April 14, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Vaisakhi:
“Today, Sikhs in Canada and around the world will celebrate Vaisakhi.
“The holiest day of the year in the Sikh faith, Vaisakhi celebrates the creation of the community of baptized Sikhs, known as the Khalsa, by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
“To mark this occasion, Sikhs traditionally gather at their local Gurdwaras to pray and read from the sacred texts and organize religious processions, known as Nagar Kirtans, across the country. While these past two years have been challenging, I know people found inspiration in Sikhism’s teachings of equality, unity, and social justice – values which we all strive to embody, now and as we recover from the pandemic and move ahead to better times.
“For all Canadians, Vaisakhi is an opportunity to honour Canada’s Sikh community – one of the largest in the world – and celebrate the many contributions they have made, and continue to make, in shaping the strong, diverse, and inclusive Canada we know today. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Canadians of Sikh faith have shown their commitment to their communities and their country through seva – selfless service. They have supported their local food banks, provided warm clothing to the homeless, and raised money for many other community initiatives.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I extend our warmest wishes to the Sikh community and all those celebrating Vaisakhi, here at home and around the world.
“Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”
April 14, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Puthandu:
“Today, Tamils in Canada and around the world will celebrate Puthandu to welcome the start of a new year.
“A time of new beginnings, Puthandu also represents an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year, and to look forward with renewed hope to the year ahead. To mark this occasion, family and friends will come together to enjoy delicious food, exchange gifts and greetings, and decorate their homes with kolams – traditional art drawn with rice flour. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, I know Tamil Canadians will continue to honour their longstanding traditions and give thanks for the blessings in their lives.
“As Tamil Canadians celebrate the New Year, let us take this opportunity to recognize the important contributions they have made – and continue to make – to our country’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. Together, we will continue to build a better, fairer, and more inclusive future for everyone.
“On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year.
“Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal.”
April 13, 2022
Laval, Quebec
Everyone should have a place to call home, yet it is becoming increasingly challenging for many Canadians, especially young people, to find a safe and affordable place to live. That’s why a key focus of Budget 2022 is making housing more affordable for young people in communities across the country.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today highlighted key measures included in Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable to help improve housing affordability and get more young people into the housing market.
The measures proposed in Budget 2022 include:
- Introducing the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, allowing first-time home buyers to contribute up to $40,000. Like an RRSP, contributions would be tax-deductible, and withdrawals to purchase a first home – including investment income – would be non-taxable, like a TFSA. Tax-free in, tax-free out.
- Doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to $10,000 to provide up to $1,500 in direct support to home buyers. This will apply to homes purchased on or after January 1, 2022.
- Extending the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive to March 31, 2025, allowing first-time home buyers to lower their monthly payments.
- Helping Canadians save for and buy their first home by investing $200 million to help develop and scale up rent-to-own projects across Canada.
- Curbing unfair practices that drive up the price of housing, in order to level the playing field for young and middle class Canadians by imposing a two-year ban on foreign capital coming into Canada to buy residential real estate; taking steps to ensure property flippers pay their fair share of taxes; taxing all assignment sales of newly constructed and substantially renovated homes; and working with provinces and territories to develop and implement a Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights and bring forward a national plan to end blind bidding.
- Putting Canada on the path to double housing construction over the next decade, including by investing $4 billion for the launch of a new Housing Accelerator Fund that will help create 100,000 new housing units over the next five years.
Budget 2022 proposes targeted and responsible investments to ensure more Canadians, especially young Canadians, have a safe and affordable place to call home. This is a key part of our plan to make life more affordable, create jobs and prosperity today, grow the middle class, and build a stronger economic future for everyone.
Quotes
“Making life more affordable starts with addressing housing affordability. Everyone deserves a safe place to live, raise their family, and build their future. Budget 2022 will help put the dream of home ownership back in reach for more Canadians across the country, and protect them from unfair practices that drive up prices.”
“We need housing that is affordable for everyone, and that means we have to take significant steps to ensure an entire generation of Canadians is not priced out of owning a home. Budget 2022 represents the most ambitious plan that Canada has ever had to solve that fundamental challenge.”
Quick Facts
- Budget 2022 proposes measures to fight homelessness and support housing affordability, particularly for the most vulnerable. This includes investing $475 million in 2022-23 to provide a one-time $500 payment to those facing housing affordability challenges; providing $1.5 billion to extend the Rapid Housing Initiative and create at least 6,000 additional affordable housing units across Canada; advancing $2.9 billion under the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to accelerate the creation of up to 4,300 new units and repair of up to 17,800 units for vulnerable Canadians; and providing $562.2 million over two years to continue to prevent and address homelessness through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
- Budget 2022 proposes an additional $458.5 million to provide low-interest loans and grants to low-income housing providers through the Canada Greener Home Loans program. This funding will help make existing affordable housing more energy efficient, which will also help to lower energy bills.
- Budget 2022 proposes a Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit that would provide up to $7,500 for Canadians to build a secondary suite that would allow a senior or an adult with a disability to move in.
- To expand co-operative housing in Canada by an estimated additional 6,000 units, Budget 2022 proposes to reallocate $500 million of funding from the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to launch a new Co-operative Housing Development Program, and reallocate an additional $1 billion in loans from the Rental Construction Financing Initiative to support co-op housing projects. This would be the largest investment in building new co-op housing in Canada for more than 30 years.
- Budget 2022 seeks to accelerate work in closing housing gaps for Indigenous Peoples by investing $4.3 billion over seven years to improve and expand Indigenous housing in Canada.
- Budget 2022 also proposes $150 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to support affordable housing and related infrastructure in the North.
- The housing measures proposed in Budget 2022 build on the Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), a 10-year, $72+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home and which is grounded in a human rights-based approach to housing.
- Since the creation of the NHS, the Government of Canada has committed over $24.2 billion to support the creation of over 91,000 units and the repair of over 209,000 units, and has provided affordability support for over 172,000 households. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
Related Products
- Budget 2022 Backgrounder: Making Housing More Affordable
- Budget 2022 Backgrounder: Moving Forward on Reconciliation
