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October 5, 2023
Vaughan, Ontario
Right now, in communities across the country, building the housing we need, especially affordable housing, is too hard. That’s why the federal government is working with municipalities to break down barriers and build more homes, faster so Canadians – from young families, to seniors, to newcomers – can find a place to call home, at a price they can afford.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the federal government has reached an agreement with the City of Vaughan, Ontario, to fast track over 1,700 new housing units and incentivize thousands of additional homes over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 40,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.
This agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund, will provide over $59 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. It will allow for high-density development near public transit, including GO train and subway stations, prioritize building apartments and affordable housing, and fix outdated permitting systems to speed up development. Vaughan will also amend a zoning by-law to allow for the construction of up to four residential units on one lot.
The Housing Accelerator Fund is helping cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada. It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.
The Government of Canada is making life more affordable for Canadians – and housing is key to that work. Our plan to double the rate of housing construction over the next decade will help build the housing supply we need. We will continue to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to keep building more homes for Canadians, faster, and make life more affordable.
Quotes
“The status quo on home building in this country just isn’t working. We need more apartments, affordable housing, homes within walking distance of public transit – and we need to do it faster. That’s what today’s announcement in Vaughan is all about. We’re going to keep working with local governments on their innovative approaches to building more homes, faster.”
“With federal funding and federal leadership, we are changing how cities let housing get built in their communities. Today’s announcement will help create thousands of new homes for those who call Vaughan home. By working with cities, mayors, and all levels of government, we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”
“Vaughan has always been a destination of choice that people dream of calling home and where future generations wish to raise their families, start businesses, and enjoy an unrivalled quality of life. Working with my fellow Members of Vaughan Council, we were pleased to work with the federal government to ensure Vaughan secured this critical city-building investment. I am proud to stand alongside Prime Minister Trudeau for this historic announcement as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund to build new housing units in Vaughan and to help bring this dream closer to reach for countless families and residents.”
Quick Facts
- Vaughan is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Over the past 20 years, it has grown from a suburban municipality to an urban centre, with its population increasing by 78 per cent. Vaughan is expected to welcome 7,700 new residents each year over the next 30 years.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27. It is designed to help cities, towns, and Indigenous governments unlock new housing supply through innovative approaches.
- Last month, the Prime Minister announced the first agreement of its kind between the federal government and the City of London, Ontario. This agreement will provide $74 million to fast track the creation of over 2,000 additional housing units in London over the next three years alone, and thousands more units in the years to come.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of Canada’s National Housing Strategy, an $82+ billion plan that has already committed to the creation and repair of over 400,000 units. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
- Since 2015, the government has helped almost two million Canadians find a place to call home.
Associated Links
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- Housing Accelerator Fund – Building more homes, faster
- Building more homes, faster
- Making housing more affordable for Canadians
- Removing barriers to build more homes, faster in London, Ontario
- National Housing Strategy
October 5, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Teachers’ Day:
“Today, we mark World Teachers’ Day and celebrate the crucial role teachers play in children’s lives. Teachers give our kids the foundation they need to succeed and build a bright future.
“This year’s theme, ‘The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage’, encourages us to work together to close these gaps and address the challenges teachers face each and every day. As a teacher myself, I know teachers do so much more than deliver lessons: they act as counsellors, coaches, mentors, and advocates, and they challenge students to explore, ask questions, and learn. We have a responsibility to them, and to our children, to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. That’s why, for example, the Government of Canada is supporting the recruitment of teachers in areas like official languages.
“There are exceptional teachers in our communities right across the country. Every year, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence celebrate outstanding educators for their dedication and commitment to their students. Today, we will congratulate the top teachers for 2023 and launch the call for nominations for the 2024 awards. I invite Canadians to nominate an inspirational educator who is making a real difference in their community.
“Beyond our borders, Canada also continues to work with its international partners to ensure young people everywhere have access to quality education. Through investments in initiatives like the Global Partnership for Education and the Together for Learning campaign, we are helping more children get the education they deserve, including refugee, forcibly displaced, and host-community children and youth.
“To teachers across our great country: thank you. Your dedication and service to the next generation helps make Canada the best country in the world. On this World Teachers’ Day, I encourage all Canadians to join me in expressing gratitude toward the teachers who are building a better future for everyone.”
October 4, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Premier-designate of Manitoba, Wab Kinew, to congratulate him on his election as the next premier and first First Nations premier of Manitoba, and to discuss shared priorities.
The Prime Minister and the Premier-designate spoke about the importance of working together on making life more affordable, improving health care and housing, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The two leaders also discussed downtown revitalization in Winnipeg.
The Prime Minister and the Premier-designate committed to staying in touch on these and other shared priorities and looked forward to having a constructive relationship going forward.
Associated Link
October 4, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will welcome leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to Ottawa for the first Canada-CARICOM Summit on Canadian soil. He will co-chair the Summit, which will run from October 17 to 19, 2023, alongside the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, the current Chair of CARICOM. As CARICOM celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Summit will highlight Canada’s strong ties with the Caribbean and provide an opportunity for leaders to continue to strengthen cooperation and chart a better future for people in both regions.
Under the Summit’s theme of “Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future”, the Prime Minister and CARICOM leaders will advance shared priorities, including building inclusive and sustainable economies, increasing trade and investment, and promoting multilateral collaboration. The leaders will also work to fight climate change and address its impacts in the Caribbean, including by exploring ways to improve access to financing for Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean.
During the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau will highlight the importance of reinforcing democratic values, promoting human rights and the rules-based international order, and strengthening coordination on regional security, including responding to the ongoing security, political, and humanitarian crises in Haiti. Finally, the leaders will engage with Canadian business leaders and investors to further commercial opportunities in the region.
As co-Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates group, Prime Minister Trudeau will take the opportunity to advance the SDGs – the pathway for the world to build a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous future for everyone.
Quote
“I look forward to welcoming leaders from the Caribbean Community to Ottawa this month. Canada and the Caribbean Community have built an enduring partnership over the last 50 years, based on ties between our people and our shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. At this Summit and beyond, we will keep working together to take climate action, build strong economies, and keep people safe, now and into the future.”
Quick Facts
- Canada has long-standing ties with many CARICOM countries on a wide range of shared priorities, including trade, security and defence, international assistance and governance.
- This Summit builds on the work Canada is doing to strengthen ties with the region, including the Prime Minister’s visit to Nassau, The Bahamas earlier this year to participate in the 44th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.
- More than two million Canadians travel to CARICOM countries annually and over 10,000 students from CARICOM study in Canada every year.
- CARICOM is a regional organization that was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 4, 1973. It is comprised of 15 Full Members and five Associate Members. The Full Members are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. The overseas territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Turks & Caicos Islands are Associate Members.
- In 2022, Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with CARICOM countries reached $1.8 billion. In 2021, bilateral trade in services reached $3.9 billion.
Associated Links
- Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
- Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean
- Canada and the Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG Advocates
October 4, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the results of the provincial election in Manitoba:
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Wab Kinew and the New Democratic Party of Manitoba on their election.
“Last night, Manitobans elected their first First Nations premier – a historic win for Indigenous Peoples and for Canadians.
“I look forward to working with Premier-designate Kinew and the provincial government to deliver results on the things that matter most to Manitobans. This includes making life more affordable for families, driving economic growth, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, building more homes, faster, strengthening our universal health care system, and accelerating climate action while putting more money back in people’s pockets.
“Together, we will build a more prosperous province and a better future for Manitobans and all Canadians.
“I thank Heather Stefanson for her service to Manitoba and to Canada as Premier of Manitoba over the last two years. I wish her the best in her future endeavours.”
October 3, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today welcomed the election of the Honourable Greg Fergus as the new Speaker of the House of Commons.
Elected by fellow Members of Parliament through a secret ballot, the Speaker of the House of Commons oversees the sittings and proceedings of the House, maintaining order and decorum in the chamber, providing impartial interpretation of its rules, and defending the rights and privileges of its members.
In his new role, Speaker Fergus will work to promote free speech and healthy debate in the House while upholding openness, transparency, and trust in our democratic processes, as Members of Parliament continue to work hard to address the issues that matter most to Canadians.
Quote
“Today is a historic day. Greg Fergus not only brings a wealth of experience to this role, he is the first Black Canadian to become Speaker of the House of Commons – an inspiration to all Canadians, especially younger generations who want to get involved in politics. I congratulate him on his election, and I look forward to continue working with him, and all Members of Parliament, to uphold the values that unite us as Canadians, make progress on the issues facing our country and the world, and build a more prosperous future for all.”
Quick Facts
- The Honourable Greg Fergus is the 38th Speaker of the House of Commons.
- The Speaker also oversees the House of Commons administration, serves as its spokesperson in its relations with the Senate, the Crown, and other bodies outside Parliament, and fulfills various ceremonial and diplomatic duties.
Associated Link
October 3, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden; the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz; the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni; the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio; the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda; the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis; the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak; the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; the President of the European Council, Charles Michel; the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg; and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna, in a call convened by President Biden.
The leaders reiterated their unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine and discussed their ongoing efforts to support the Ukrainian people as they continue to resist Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable aggression. The leaders welcomed progress between Ukraine and its partners on multilateral and bilateral long-term security assurances for Ukraine, in line with the July 2023 G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. They also expressed their support for President Zelenskyy’s ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a just peace and welcomed continued efforts to address the global impacts of Russia’s war – including on food insecurity threatening those most vulnerable.
Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s determination to support Ukraine with military, humanitarian, financial, and other assistance for as long as it takes.
The leaders agreed to stay in close contact and maintain their close collaboration, unity, and resolve, in support of Ukraine and to continue increasing pressure on Russia to end its aggression.
Associated Links
- Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine
- Canada and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
October 1, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Women’s History Month:
“Canada’s history has been shaped by trailblazing women who stood up to make real, positive changes to our communities, our society, and our country. Throughout Women’s History Month, we pay tribute to these inspiring women, past and present, as we continue to work toward a fairer, more equitable world.
“This year’s theme – ‘Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women’ – recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of women from diverse backgrounds, from driving change in politics to making groundbreaking discoveries in science. I invite all Canadians to explore the Women of Impact in Canada online gallery and learn more about courageous and extraordinary women like Nellie J. Cournoyea, the first Indigenous woman to lead a provincial or territorial government in Canada, and Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons 30 years ago.
“Today, we are seeing record-high employment rates for Canadian women, thanks in part to our new child care system, which has already increased the number of child care spaces, cut fees at least in half, and will deliver $10-a-day child care to families right across the country in the coming years. To continue supporting women, including racialized newcomers, so they can fully participate in the Canadian economy, we provided new funding last year to extend the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot, which supports programs that help racialized women across the country overcome barriers in the workplace, find meaningful work, and progress in their careers. And through our Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, we continue to advance women’s economic empowerment by improving access to the resources they need to start and scale their businesses.
“When women succeed, we all succeed. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians today to share stories about the women who have made a difference in their lives by using the hashtag #WomensHistoryMonth. Together, we can create a future that is more inclusive, equitable, and just for generations to come.”
October 1, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Seniors Day:
“On National Seniors Day, we celebrate seniors and recognize their countless contributions to our country, our families, and our communities. From family members and friends to colleagues and mentors, seniors play a critical role in all our lives, and today we thank them for all they have done – and continue to do – to make Canada the country we love.
“After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve a secure and dignified retirement. Right now, with the high cost of living and global inflation, many are finding it harder to make ends meet. We are going to be there for seniors when they need us. That is why we took steps to make life more affordable for our seniors, including by enhancing Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement and by helping them save on groceries through the new Grocery Rebate. We are also lowering dental costs for seniors through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which will be launched before the end of this year. Together, these measures are helping to make life more affordable and comfortable for seniors so they can spend more time doing the things they love.
“We are also doing more to prioritize the health and well-being of Canada’s aging population. In Budget 2023, we committed close to $200 billion over 10 years to strengthen our public health care system, including to deliver high-quality services to seniors. And we continue to support provinces and territories in their efforts to enhance home care, community care, and long-term care for seniors across Canada. This includes engaging with experts, stakeholders, as well as with long-term care residents and their families to develop a Safe Long-Term Care Act that will help ensure that our seniors have access to the quality of care they deserve, no matter where they live.
“Seniors have shaped Canada, and they continue to be pillars of our communities. Today, and every day, I invite all Canadians to connect with a senior in their lives, whether it’s by signing up to volunteer at a local seniors’ residence or long-term care facility, joining seniors in a social activity, or spending time with grandparents or elderly neighbours.”
