Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister on the launch of Canada’s Housing Plan

Vaughan, Ontario - April 12, 2024

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It’s wonderful to be here today in Vaughan with the Prime Minister, with Minister Fraser, and with so many of our caucus and cabinet colleagues.

It’s especially a privilege for me, I think for all of us, to be here with the students, the soon to be apprentices, at the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades.

As a growing country, we need our skilled trades people, we need our carpenters, and we are literally counting on you to build our growing country.

And I just want to say—thank you so much. I am inspired by every single carpenter, every single apprentice, every single student here, and we all should be.

I think we owe them our thanks.

Why do we need them so much? Because we are living in a pivotal moment for Millennials and Gen Z.

These young Canadians have so much talent and so much potential.

But today, too many young Canadians feel as though the deck is stacked against them. They can get a good job, they can work hard, but far too often, the reward of a secure, prosperous, comfortable, middle class life remains out of reach.

That is not okay. We want—we need—the hard work of young Canadians to be rewarded. And that is why we are acting now with purpose to build a Canada that works for younger Canadians—a Canada where they can get ahead and where they know that their hard work will pay off.

We are going to turbocharge the construction of new homes across the country.

We are going to help make life cost less.

And we are going to grow the economy in a way that’s shared by everyone.

One of the biggest pressures on Canadians right now is housing. And we all know this is especially true for younger Canadians. Faced with a shortage of housing options and rent which is just too high, and home prices which feel out of reach, too many younger Canadians feel that that dream of getting your first set of keys and owning your own house is just that—a dream.

Our government is changing that.

Today, we are announcing real, tangible, carefully thought-through measures that are going to help more younger Canadians get those first keys of their own.

We are using every single tool in our toolbox to deliver housing without delay—because we need to make the dream of homeownership a reality for younger Canadians.

And in the budget I’ll be tabling on Tuesday, we will reveal more of our plan to ensure fairness for every generation.

Our government first came to office with a vow to strengthen and expand the middle class. We delivered on that pledge by reducing poverty, especially for children and seniors, and creating millions of good jobs for Canadians. Our work isn’t over.

Our renewed focus today is unlocking the door to the middle class for millions of younger Canadians. In everything we do, we dedicate ourselves to making a better life within reach for our younger generations.

Because that is what you deserve—that is what you have earned. And that’s what your parents and grandparents want for you, too.

Thank you.