Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister on legislation to ensure fairness for every generation

Ottawa, Ontario - April 30, 2024

Good afternoon. I will first speak about the Budget Implementation Act, which will be introduced this week in the House of Commons.

I will then turn it over to Minister Sean Fraser who will provide details on the measures in the Budget Implementation Act to help make homes more affordable, which is a really important issue for all of us.

Minister Jenna Sudds will then speak about the measures to strengthen Canada’s social safety net.

Finally, my colleague Minister François-Philippe Champagne will discuss measures to make life more affordable for Canadians.

This morning, I tabled the Notice of Ways and Means Motion for the Budget Implementation Act, which would put into effect many key measures from this year’s budget.

Our budget, and the measures outlined in the Budget Implementation Act, is about ensuring fairness for every generation. Because 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.

We want the hard work of young Canadians to be rewarded. And that’s 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 their hard work will pay off.

That’s why our budget includes a plan to help make homes more affordable by helping Millennial and Gen Z Canadians afford a home with more tax-free ways to save for that first down payment.

We’re also putting more homes back on the market by cracking down on short-term rentals and by banning foreign buyers of Canadian homes. We’re making life cost less and we’re strengthening Canada’s social safety net for every generation—from diabetes and contraceptive medication being made free to Canadians, to launching a new National School Food Program, to making switching internet and phone plans easier and more affordable.

We’re also increasing investments and productivity. We’re encouraging the kind of game-changing innovation that will create good-paying and meaningful jobs and keep Canada at the economic forefront.

We’re acting now because the cost of inaction today would be borne chiefly by younger Canadians—and we will not leave them behind.

That’s why I am urging my fellow Parliamentarians to pass the Budget Implementation Act as swiftly as possible. Young Canadians need it.

Today we are saying to our younger generations, and to everyone who cares about them: We are putting the power of government to work for you.

Together, we will unlock the door to the middle class for more Canadians—and renew the promise of our great country. Thank you.