Statement by the Prime Minister on International Development Week
February 4, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on International Development Week, which runs from February 4 to 10, 2024:
“Today marks the start of International Development Week – a time to reflect on the progress we have made and the work ahead to build a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.
“A Canadian tradition for over 30 years, International Development Week celebrates international development efforts at home and around the world. From food security and health services to education and gender equality, Canadian development workers, volunteers, and partners are critical in supporting marginalized communities. These are Canadians from across the country who hold an extraordinary belief in a better world – and International Development Week invites all of us to celebrate and join in on this pursuit of positive change.
“Canada’s work to advance climate action, create inclusive communities, and build a more prosperous world for everyone remains critical. Canada is an important contributor to the United Nations, and as part of our commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are delivering on our promise to increase development aid. This year, we are committing $4.5 billion to ensure that communities across the globe, particularly women and girls, have a fair chance to reach their full potential. And as part of our Feminist International Assistance Policy, we have increased our investments to an average of $1.4 billion per year on global health, half of which will be dedicated to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programs.
“Throughout this International Development Week, I encourage Canadians to learn more about Canada’s international development efforts, participate in local community activities, and join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #IDW2024 and #GoForTheGoals. Let us thank the incredible work of international development workers, and work together to build a safer, more secure future for everyone.”
February 2, 2024
Waterloo, 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 – whether they are just starting out, growing their families, or aging in security – can find a place to call home, at a price they can afford.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the City of Waterloo, Ontario, to fast-track 650 new housing units over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 15,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in Waterloo.
Under the Housing Accelerator Fund, this agreement will provide over $22 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. It will create more housing options in the city, including more rentals, affordable units, and housing near university and college campuses. As part of the agreement, Waterloo will allow up to four units as-of-right, and up to four storeys in low-density neighbourhoods. The city will build more homes around public transit, turn city-owned land into new housing, and partner with non-profit homebuilders to create more affordable apartments. It will also modernize city infrastructure – ending zoning restrictions and implementing a new permitting system to cut red tape and speed up approvals. Together, these initiatives will significantly improve the way affordable housing is built and delivered in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.
The Housing Accelerator Fund is helping cut red tape and fast-track the construction of over 500,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada over the next decade. 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 supporting the middle class – 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 are working with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to build more homes for Canadians, faster, and make life better for everyone.
Quotes
“Waterloo needs more homes that Canadians can afford. That’s why we’re working with mayors to cut red tape and change the way we build housing. Today’s announcement with Waterloo will help build more affordable homes, faster, so that every Canadian has a good place to call their own.”
“We are excited and proud to announce this partnership with Waterloo today. By allowing four units as-of-right, partnering with non-profits to create affordable apartments, building more homes around public transit, and working to turn city-owned lands into new housing developments, the City will ensure that Waterloo has more of the kinds of homes we need to tackle the housing crisis. We will continue working with cities, towns, mayors, and all levels of government to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”
“The Government of Canada’s investment is a game changer in addressing the housing crisis in our community. People are at the heart of the housing crisis – people who need affordable, inclusive, sustainable, and diverse housing options. Working with partners in the private, non-profit, and academic sectors, the City of Waterloo is advancing housing projects which support our vision for complete communities with a high quality of life for all. We’re grateful to the Government of Canada for this Housing Accelerator Fund investment. It will change the future of housing for people in the City of Waterloo.”
Quick Facts
- The City of Waterloo’s Housing Accelerator Fund agreement will allow up to four residential units as-of-right and four storeys within the city’s low-density neighbourhoods on existing residential lots. The city will also make zoning and program changes to make shovel ready lands available to housing providers, implement enhancements to the development approval process, and create faster development and permit approvals.
- 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 and fast-track at least 100,000 permitted new homes over the first three years.
- The announcement was held at the Parkwood Seniors’ Community, a 90-unit project receiving over $33 million from the Affordable Housing Fund. The fund invests in community organizations to help build and repair affordable housing units. Investment is provided as low-interest and/or forgivable loans and contributions.
- With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada has signed 32 agreements since the launch of the Housing Accelerator Fund. Combined, these agreements will fast-track an estimated total of over 500,000 housing units over the next decade.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund is part of Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), an $82+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives is updated quarterly at www.placetocallhome.ca. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
- Since the creation of the NHS, the Government of Canada has committed over $38.89 billion to support the creation of almost 152,000 units and the repair of over 241,000. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
- Since 2015, the government has helped almost two million Canadians find a place to call home.
