Fraser says it’s "frustrating" to see Opposition stoke people’s anxieties
Federal housing minister Sean Fraser has levelled criticism against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, suggesting that his interest in addressing the national housing shortage is only a ploy to attract voters.
Fraser made the comments Monday during a housing conference in Ottawa. He told reporters that it is “frustrating” to see Poilievre proposing policies that “prey on the anxieties of people” instead of “actually offerings solutions that will solve the challenge.”
Poilievre has put forward a plan to increase housing inventory through a program that awards federal funding for municipalities that meet housing start targets.
Under this program, cities are required to increase the number of homes built by 15% each year. Those that fall short of the goal will see their federal grants reduced, while those that surpass it will be able to tap into a $100 million fund.
Comparing Poilievre’s proposal to the government’s current efforts, Fraser said the $4 billion housing accelerator fund is designed to incentivize municipalities to streamline housing development processes.
This initiative, he noted, has already resulted in agreements with cities poised to facilitate the creation of hundreds of thousands of homes nationwide.
Fraser also discussed plans to enhance a low-interest construction loan program aimed at encouraging developers to increase housing supply, hinting at potential additional funding in the forthcoming federal budget.
Pierre doesn't care. pic.twitter.com/brtnsG0vNs
— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) March 16, 2024
Over the weekend, Fraser posted a three-minute video on social media that he captioned “Pierre doesn’t care.”
In it, the minister panned Poilievre’s housing plans and said it will undo the progress that the Liberal government has made when it comes to building affordable homes.
“Pierre’s plan isn’t going to solve the housing crisis, because Pierre doesn’t care about the people it impacts most,” Fraser said.
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