Building more homes, faster
March 17, 2023
Guelph, Ontario
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Right now, in cities across the country, it is too hard to build the housing we need, particularly affordable housing. Housing policies are often barriers to producing results and many Canadians – from young families, to seniors, to newcomers – are finding it harder to find an affordable place to call home. It is clear that we need to accelerate change so the system works for all Canadians.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was in Guelph, Ontario today to launch the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4 billion initiative that will provide funding for local governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada. Local governments are now invited to develop innovative action plans, in line with the flexible criteria, to remove barriers to building more homes, faster.
The Fund will help cities, towns, and Indigenous governments unlock new housing supply by speeding up development and approvals, like fixing out-of-date permitting systems, introducing zoning reforms to build more density, or incentivizing development close to public transit. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be innovative in their approaches. They could be accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, encouraging affordable housing units, and more. The Fund will provide upfront funding to support implementation, as well as additional funds upon delivering results.
Over the next decade, the Government of Canada aims to double the rate of housing construction to make housing more affordable. Building more housing, including affordable housing, is a key part of making life more affordable and building an economy that works for all Canadians. When we work together across orders of government, we can build a better future for the middle class and people working hard to join it.
Quotes
“Canada has the fastest growing population in the G7, but our housing supply hasn’t kept up with demand. The Housing Accelerator Fund will help local governments cut red tape and backlogs, build the housing we need, and give more people in Canada a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue to work to make life more affordable and create stronger, more prosperous communities from coast to coast to coast.”
“The Housing Accelerator Fund is a bold new initiative to address the pressing need for housing in Canada. We recognize that the key to increasing housing affordability is to boost the supply of homes available to Canadians. By partnering with local governments, this fund will enable us to create long-term systemic changes in our housing system and make a tangible impact in increasing housing supply. With this initiative, our government is helping more Canadians access a home that meets their needs and is within their means. This is a significant step toward building more housing faster in our cities and ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Quick Facts
- The application portal for the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will open this June. Local governments are encouraged to begin preparing their proposed action plans today. A full list of eligible system reforms is available on the website of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
- The HAF is a $4 billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27. It was announced in Budget 2022, along with other initiatives to make housing more affordable and accessible for Canadians, including:
- Investing $1.5 billion to launch a third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative and create at least 4,500 additional affordable housing units across Canada, with 25 per cent of investments going toward women-focused housing projects;
- Introducing a new Tax-Free First Home Savings Account to allow Canadians to save up to $40,000 tax-free to help buy their first home;
- Doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to provide up to $1,500 in direct support to home buyers to offset closing costs involved in buying a first home;
- Launching a $200 million stream under the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund to develop and scale up rent-to-own projects.
- To guide the design and mechanism of the HAF, the federal government sought Canadians’ input and consulted stakeholders throughout 2022. Engagements with Indigenous communities and organizations are ongoing.
- Local governments interested in applying for the HAF will need to meet program requirements and submit an action plan as part of their application. The action plan must detail the local government’s commitment to a housing supply growth target; alignment to federal priorities of creating dense, affordable, inclusive, and diverse communities; and initiatives they plan to undertake to increase and speed up the supply of housing in their communities. In the absence of municipal level authority, a regional district, province or territory may also apply to the HAF. Support may also be provided to jurisdictions that request assistance due to capacity issues.
- The Government of Canada will negotiate an agreement with Quebec to ensure municipalities in the province can access the program while respecting the province’s laws.
- The HAF is part of a larger suite of measures from the federal government to support the creation of housing through Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), an $82+ billion plan that has already committed to the creation and repair of over 400,000 units. Progress on programs and initiatives under the NHS are updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed through the NHS.
Associated Links
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Making housing more affordable for Canadians
- National Housing Strategy
- Housing Funding Initiatives Map
March 16, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
In less than two months, Canada will mark the Coronation of its new monarch, His Majesty King Charles III.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that a ceremony will be held in Ottawa for His Majesty’s Coronation on May 6, 2023, beginning a new chapter in our country’s history. The ceremony will acknowledge the special relationship His Majesty has had with Canada for over 50 years and celebrate his reign as King of Canada.
The event will include speeches, artistic performances, and special unveilings. Dignitaries from the Table of Precedence of Canada, including members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, eminent Canadians, and individuals with ties to causes dear to His Majesty will be in attendance.
His Majesty’s Coronation in the United Kingdom will take place at Westminster Abbey, in London, on the same day. It will be followed by various public events on May 7 and 8, 2023, including a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. The Canadian delegation attending the Coronation Service will be announced in the coming weeks.
On May 6 and 7, 2023, Canadians will celebrate the King’s Coronation in communities across the country. They will also be invited to take part in activities organized at Rideau Hall, where they will be able to visit the Residence of the Governor General and learn more about the Canadian Crown.
Quote
“His Majesty has a long history and a special relationship with Canada, and we look forward to celebrating his Coronation in May. In addition to the ceremony in Ottawa, I invite Canadians to take part in events and activities that will take place in their communities to mark this important occasion. Together, we look to the future and the continued betterment of the Commonwealth and its people.”
Quick Facts
- Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and The King is Canada’s Head of State.
- His Majesty King Charles III acceded to the Throne on September 8, 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
- His Majesty and the Queen Consort, then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, last visited Canada in 2022 as part of a three-day Royal Tour, with stops in Newfoundland and Labrador, the National Capital Region, and the Northwest Territories, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to the Throne.
- Details on how to watch the Canadian ceremony in Ottawa will be provided in the coming weeks.
Associated Links
- Canadian Celebrations of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation
- Monarchy and the Crown
- Statement by the Prime Minister on the proclamation of the accession of His Majesty King Charles III
March 15, 2023
Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Families across Canada know that affordable child care is not a luxury ‒ it is a necessity. With global inflation driving up the cost of living and making it harder for families to make ends meet, the Government of Canada has been working with provinces and territories to deliver on our promise of $10-a-day child care – putting more money back in the pockets of Canadian families, driving economic growth that benefits everyone, and giving children the best possible start in life.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Furey, today announced that Newfoundland and Labrador families are now benefitting from $10-a-day regulated child care – three years ahead of the national target. With $10-a-day child care, families are now saving an estimated $6,300 per year for each child in care.
Newfoundland and Labrador also announced the opening of the first pre-kindergarten centres in the province. Supported by federal funding, these pre-kindergarten centres will allow more children and families across the province to access high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care.
This announcement comes less than two years after the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador reached an agreement to support an average of $10-a-day regulated child care in the province. Already, families in nearly half of Canada’s provinces and territories are benefitting from regulated early learning and child care at an average of $10-a-day or less, and fees have been cut by at least 50 per cent in all other jurisdictions, with work on track to deliver $10-a-day regulated child care on average by March 2026.
Delivering $10-a-day regulated child care across the country is a key part of the federal government’s plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. It builds on a wide range of other support programs, including the Canada Child Benefit, which puts more money into the pockets of nine out of 10 Canadian families with children and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. We will continue to put Canadian families at the heart of everything we do, as we make life more affordable, create good jobs, and grow the economy to benefit all Canadians.
Quotes
“Reaching $10-a-day child care is a huge milestone achievement for families in Newfoundland and Labrador. It means hundreds of dollars per child back in the pockets of hard-working families every month, it means more jobs in early learning and child care, it means a stronger economy for Newfoundland and Labrador, and it means we’re giving every child the best possible start in life.”
“Today’s announcement is a major achievement in our governments’ shared vision to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible for families. This is a great example of what can be achieved when we share a commitment to improving the lives of Canadians. I am deeply proud of this achievement, and I look forward to the day that families across the country can enjoy the benefits families in Newfoundland and Labrador now enjoy today.”
“Affordable child care helps families and provides more opportunities for parents to take part in the workforce, so I implemented $25-a-day child care within months of becoming Premier. Now our government is proud to remain a leader as one of the first jurisdictions in this country to offer $10-a-day child care, and we continue our efforts to create more spaces as we build a bright future for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
“We have made great strides in reducing the cost of child care in our province and we remain focused on meeting the demand, through measures such as increased wages for early childhood educators. Increasing accessibility to affordable child care allows more parents into the workplace and ensures children receive quality early learning, improving the quality of life for families.”
Quick Facts
- In July 2021, Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an agreement to significantly improve early learning and child care for all children in the province, with the Government of Canada contributing over $306 million for the early learning and child care sector in Newfoundland and Labrador over five years.
- Additionally, over $41 million was announced in July 2021 through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Early Learning and Child Care Agreement - 2021 to 2025, including $6.5 million through a one-time investment in 2021-22 to support the early childhood workforce.
- Through previous investments in early learning and child care, the Government of Canada already helped create close to 1,200 more affordable child care spaces in Newfoundland and Labrador – and over 40,000 across the country – prior to the pandemic.
- As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years will be provided in support of early learning and child care.
- Delivering a high-quality, inclusive, and affordable Canada-wide early learning and child care system is good for families and the economy. TD Economics has pointed to a range of studies that have shown that for every dollar spent on early childhood education, the broader economy receives between $1.50 and $2.80 in return. And in Quebec, affordable child care alone has raised the province’s GDP by 1.7 per cent.
Associated Links
- Budget 2021: A Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan
- Toward $10-a-Day: Early Learning and Child Care
- $10 a day child care for families in Newfoundland and Labrador
March 15, 2023
Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Government of Canada takes any attempts at undermining our democracy very seriously and will continue to take action to protect our institutions and uphold Canadians’ confidence in our democracy.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the federal government intends to appoint the Right Honourable David Johnston as Independent Special Rapporteur, a new role as part of a suite of measures to help combat foreign interference and strengthen confidence in our federal electoral process and democratic institutions. This follows consultations with all parties in the House of Commons.
Mr. Johnston is an accomplished Canadian public servant and law professor. He served as the 28th Governor General of Canada from 2010 to 2017, an important role in Canada’s democracy.
Prior to his installation as Governor General, Mr. Johnston was a professor of law for 45 years. He has spoken and written extensively on Canada’s democratic institutions and the value of trust. Mr. Johnston has chaired or served on many provincial and federal task forces and committees and has served on the boards of more than a dozen public companies. In 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Mr. Johnston would serve as a special advisor, drafting the terms of reference for a public inquiry into the Airbus affair, which became the Oliphant Commission. He is currently serving as the Leaders’ Debates Commissioner, contributing actively to our democracy, a role from which he will step down to serve as Independent Special Rapporteur.
In this new role, Mr. Johnston will have a wide mandate to look into foreign interference in the last two federal general elections and make expert recommendations on how to further protect our democracy and uphold Canadians’ confidence in it. The Government of Canada will comply with and implement his public recommendations, which could include a formal inquiry, a judicial review, or another independent review process. We will be working with Mr. Johnston to finalize his mandate in the coming days, and it will be made public.
Building on the work of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), both of which are also reviewing foreign interference in the last two elections, as well as other ongoing processes, Mr. Johnston will identify any remaining gaps or areas requiring further attention to protect the integrity of Canada’s democracy.
The Government of Canada will continue to take action to strengthen and protect our democracy – one of the strongest and most stable in the world – and uphold Canadians’ confidence in our institutions.
Quote
“Canadians need to have confidence in our electoral system, and in our democracy. As Independent Special Rapporteur, David Johnston brings integrity and a wealth of experience and skills, and I am confident that he will conduct an impartial review to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to keep our democracy safe and uphold and strengthen confidence in it.”
Quick Facts
- The announcement of an Independent Special Rapporteur was part of a series of measures announced by the Prime Minister on March 6, 2023, to take further action on foreign interference and strengthen Canadians’ confidence in our democracy. These also included:
- Asking the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) to complete a review of the state of foreign interference in federal electoral processes;
- A review by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) of how Canada’s national security agencies handled the threat of foreign interference during the 43rd and 44th federal general elections;
- Launching public consultations to guide the creation of a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry in Canada to ensure transparency and accountability from people who advocate on behalf of a foreign government and ensure communities who are often targeted by attempts at foreign interference are protected;
- Establishing a new National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator in Public Safety Canada to coordinate efforts to combat foreign interference;
- Developing a plan to address outstanding recommendations from the NSICOP, the independent assessment of the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (Rosenberg Report), and other reviews on these matters, within 30 days; and
- Investing $5.5 million in the Canadian Digital Media Research Network to strengthen the capacity of civil society partners to counter disinformation.
- Since 2015, the Government of Canada has taken significant action to protect our democracy and our institutions from foreign interference. These actions include:
- Creating the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), made up of Members of Parliament from each party and Senators with top-secret security clearance to review national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada;
- Creating the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), made up of top independent experts, to strengthen independent scrutiny and accountability of national security agencies in Canada;
- Establishing the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (the Protocol), which is administered by a panel of the most senior federal public servants who, working with national security agencies, are responsible for communicating with Canadians in the event of an incident or series of incidents that threaten the integrity of a federal election;
- Creating the Security and Intelligence Threats to Election (SITE) Task Force, composed of officials from the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Global Affairs Canada. The SITE Task Force works to identify and prevent covert, clandestine, or criminal activities from influencing or interfering with the electoral process in Canada; and
- Establishing the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix to help G7 countries identify and respond to diverse and evolving foreign threats to democracy.
Biographical Note
Associated Links
- Taking further action on foreign interference and strengthening confidence in our democracy
- National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
- National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
- Protecting democracy
March 14, 2023
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
When we invest in Canadian manufacturing, we invest in workers, in communities, and in our economy. Last year alone, companies invested billions of dollars in our clean auto sector, creating and securing tens of thousands of good jobs and growing our economy.
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston, announced that their governments are working closely with tire manufacturer Michelin to help support a $300 million project to modernize their Nova Scotia facilities to use technological innovation to manufacture more efficient tires, including tires for electric vehicles, and cut emissions from operations in the process through electrification.
Pending a final agreement, Michelin could receive up to $44.3 million in federal funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund. Michelin will also receive a provincial tax credit of about $61.3 million over five years from the Province of Nova Scotia toward their expansion. Through this project, Michelin expects to secure 3,600 good middle-class jobs across the company’s three plants in Bridgewater, Pictou, and Waterville, Nova Scotia, as well as create dozens more.
From mining and processing critical minerals like lithium and aluminum, to building batteries, assembling cars, and manufacturing tires, the Government of Canada is attracting investment all along the electric vehicle value chain. Michelin’s investment is another vote of confidence in Canadians and in Canada – a world leader in manufacturing electric vehicles.
Thanks to the talent and abundance of highly skilled workers and key government investments, we are continuing to build a strong economy that benefits all Canadians. Today’s announcement is yet another step toward a healthier future with clean air and good jobs for generations to come.
Quotes
“Companies understand the excellence of Canada’s workers and auto sector – and today’s announcement is a testament to that. Here in Nova Scotia, we are once again seeing that when we invest in our workers, we build communities and an economy that works for everyone, while leaving a stronger, healthier future for our kids.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for the future of Canada’s auto sector. We are proud to partner with Michelin on a project that will support Canada’s advancement in the transportation sector and keep Canada on the cutting edge of the clean economy. With this investment, we are continuing to build a strong auto sector ecosystem by supporting the development of clean technology in the tire industry, creating well-paying jobs, and generating economic benefits for Nova Scotians.”
“Nova Scotia is an amazing place to do business, and Michelin’s decision to modernize and expand its operations here speaks volumes about our business environment. Michelin’s strong commitment to greening their operations aligns with our government’s plan for a clean and green economy, where the environment and Nova Scotians can thrive, and no one is left behind.”
“Our government is working to support businesses to grow and prosper, and Michelin has been an important part of our province’s economy for more than 50 years. I’m pleased to see the recently enhanced Capital Investment Tax Credit is encouraging businesses to invest and expand in our province. I hope this expansion will help Michelin thrive for another 50 years in Nova Scotia.”
“Michelin is committed to developing the mobility of goods and people, and doing so in a cleaner and more sustainable way. With these investments, we will do exactly that: continue to add capacity in the most strategic segments of the tire market to support the transition to electric vehicles and to energy-efficient freight transportation, while further reducing the environmental footprint of our products and our plants.”
“We’re excited to continue to enhance and grow our operations in Canada. We have a wonderful history of manufacturing tires here for more than 50 years, and I’m thrilled we can strengthen the competitiveness of our factories for our current and future workforce.”
Quick Facts
- Since 2020, Canada has attracted over $17 billion in investments by global automakers and suppliers of electric vehicles batteries and battery materials, securing over 17,000 good middle-class jobs across the country.
- Michelin has been manufacturing tires in Nova Scotia since 1971, and currently operates three interdependent tire manufacturing plants in the province.
- Michelin is one of the largest private sector employers and the single largest exporter in Nova Scotia.
- The auto sector in Canada supports nearly 500,000 workers, contributes $16 billion annually to our gross domestic product, and is one of the country’s largest export industries.
Associated Links
March 13, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Commonwealth Day:
“Today, we join 55 other countries across the world to celebrate Commonwealth Day, under the theme ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’.
“In the Commonwealth, Canada works with international partners to advance our shared values of peace, prosperity, and democracy. Together, we work to make life better for the 2.5 billion people united by this organization.
“Today marks the first Commonwealth Day since the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and represents an opportunity to remember and honour her enduring legacy.
“Now headed by His Majesty King Charles III, countries in the Commonwealth build consensus through deliberation on matters of importance to its members, and advocate for the inclusion of small and vulnerable states on the world stage. Based on friendship and goodwill, we have made significant headway together on priorities such as democracy and peace, environmental issues, education, and sustainable development.
“Canada’s enduring legacy to the Commonwealth is the Commonwealth of Learning. Based in British Columbia, the Commonwealth of Learning helps developing nations improve access to quality education and training.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to reflect on everything we have achieved as a long-standing member of this historic organization and recommit to building a better future for people together with our Commonwealth partners.”
