✔︎ Bill C-56, Affordable Housing and Groceries Act

Bill

Bill C-56, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

As announced by the Prime Minister on September 14, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act is delivering on the Government’s commitment to make housing more affordable for Canadians in addition to doing everything in our power to make sure prices stabilize for Canadians – all while building on the incredible strengths of the Canadian economy.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

Federal government announces $179 million for homes in Abbotsford, Langley, and Surrey

November 16, 2023 – Abbotsford, British Columbia

Today, the federal government announced nearly $180 million to build 590 purpose-built rental homes across four projects in Abbotsford, Langley, and Surrey. The funding will come as fully repayable low-interest loans through the Rental Construction Financing Initiative (RCFi).

The announcement was made at The Hub by John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, alongside Lara Holtby, Chief Financial Officer at Wiebe Properties.

Located at 3070 Gladwin Road in Abbotsford, this project contains 64 units. The Hub will also include a 9,000 square foot amenity centre on the ground floor where residents can access a gym and fitness centre, multipurpose room, lounge areas, business centre with working spaces, guest suites for friends and family, and an outdoor patio. Construction of The Hub is expected to be complete in summer 2024.

Next to The Hub — also by Wiebe Properties — is Park Suites, located at 3030 and 3040 Gladwin Road, which was completed in 2022. Park Suites spans two buildings and offers 157 units. Both The Hub and Park Suites are part of Central Park Village, a community spanning 9.5 acres.

Canada’s construction of rental homes has not kept pace with the country's growing cities and population, leading to a decline in the existing and aging rental stock for decades. To tackle this issue, the federal government introduced the RCFi to help build more rentals across the country. Increasing the overall supply of rental housing is crucial to creating stronger and more vibrant communities that Canadians can feel proud to call home.

Funding details for the four projects include:

• $35.5 million RCFi for Park Suites, 3030 and 3040 Gladwin Road

• $18.1 million for The Hub, 3070 Gladwin Road

• $64 million RCFi for 213 units at Pennyfarthing Apartments, 20234 56 Avenue, Langley; $9.15 million from Pennyfarthing Homes

• $62.3 million RCFi for 156 units at the Grove, 16622 24 Street, Surrey

“These purpose-built rental homes in Langley, Surrey, and Abbotsford are an essential part of the solution to the housing crisis. Through RCFi, our government can increase its supply of new rental developments so Canadians can live and work in their communities. These projects offer much-needed housing for families and individuals to grow and flourish in these beautiful cities we call home.” – John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca

Supporting Canadians and Small Businesses with the High Cost of Living

September 14, 2023 – British Columbia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced three new initiatives to support Canadians and small businesses with the high cost of living.

To address the cost of groceries, The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, is calling the heads of large grocers to Ottawa to address the high cost of food. Large grocery retailers are expected to present their plans to reduce consumer costs by Thanksgiving of this year. If plans do not provide real relief to Canadians, the federal government will take further action, not excluding potential tax measures. Minister Champagne will also be looking into reforming the Competition Act, making large businesses more accountable to Canadians.

The federal government is eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the construction of new rental apartments immediately to make housing more affordable. This measure will incentivize the construction of much-needed rental homes. The Government of Canada is also calling on provinces to match this action in removing the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on the construction of new rentals. Local governments are now required to end exclusionary zoning and encourage the building of apartments near public transit in order to have their Housing Accelerator Fund applications approved.

To support small businesses, the Government of Canada is extending the repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan program by one year. Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and many relied on the CEBA program to stay afloat during the pandemic. Extending the CEBA repayment deadline until the end of 2024 will help more small businesses keep their doors open, supporting local economies. 

“I am encouraged by the measures announced to help Canadians and small businesses with the high cost of living. Our government is showing real leadership with these measures and we’re letting the middle class and those wishing to join it know that they are not being left behind. I am eagerly looking forward to this government announcing more measures to address affordability for all Canadians.” – John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale – Langley City

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca

✔︎ Bill C-31, Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2, (Targeted Support for Households)

Bill

Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing.

Vote

Yea.

Rationale

The Act enacts previously announced affordability measures; namely, a new dental care program with children under 12 and a $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit for low-income renters.

Passed.

Bill Status

Royal Assent received

Budget 2022’s focus on housing, economic growth, and climate action aligns with local priorities

April 14, 2022 – British Columbia

During pre-Budget consultations, John met with individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout Cloverdale — Langley City. Residents wanted three themes to be addressed:

“Housing affordability, economic development, and climate action were consistently the top takeaways from my consultations with constituents. Our community has been hit hard by the housing crisis and needs federal leadership. Budget 2022 engages with the provinces and municipalities to address the shortage of supply. It also makes it easier to become first-time homeowners.

“Our local economy depends on investments into new infrastructure. This includes the SkyTrain extension and community hubs like the Langley Performing Arts Centre. Our government is committing to these investments and new economic opportunities for our community.

“We have experienced increasingly extreme weather that is causing hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damages. We are investing more into climate action to protect us from these events and creating new and sustainable jobs for the future.”

Contacts:

Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca

Let's Talk Senior Housing

February 5, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario

Let's Talk Senior Housing
Another Opportunity to Join the Conversation
Town Hall - February 21, 2018

On November 22, 2017, following the extensive Canada-wide consultation “Let’s Talk Housing”, the Federal Government released Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy.

Moderated by Cloverdale-Langley City Member of Parliament John Aldag, the Town Hall will explore how the National Housing Strategy helps to ensure the availability of safe, affordable housing for seniors in our communities.

A panel will help us to understand the need for affordable senior housing and how the goals of the National Housing Strategy will be realized in communities. Time for questions and answers will be scheduled. Speakers include the Seniors Advocate of B.C., Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Centre, BC Housing Director of Regional Development, and Metro Vancouver Regional District Housing Committee Chair.

The National Housing Strategy holds the promise of significant improvement in the living conditions of seniors. Not only are they named as a ‘vulnerable population’ group of primary focus, senior women experiencing abuse, senior indigenous peoples, senior living with disabilities or dealing with mental health and addiction issues, and senior veterans are found among all of the other six groups included as ‘vulnerable populations’.

The Town Hall will take place in Surrey (Clayton Heights) at the Hope Community Church, 18625 Fraser Highway, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. on February 21, 2018. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Invitations are extended to seniors and all other concerned members of the community including community based senior service providers, and the real estate, financial and development sectors. A special invitation is extended to the community housing sector which includes non-profit, co-ops and other housing providers such as charities and faith-based groups.

For more information:

Carly Haugen
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca