QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Budget 2025
November 6, 2025
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
In the budget tabled this week, the government announced billions of dollars for provincial infrastructure. Announcements are all well and good, but it would be even better to see some cheques.
I did some quick math, and $8.5 billion earmarked for Quebec is still tied up in Ottawa. That money is intended for housing, public transportation and the fight against climate change. Despite an agreement in principle, we are still waiting for $1.3 billion under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, $6.6 billion under the Canada Public Transit Fund, $308 million under the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund and $246 million for three Green Municipal Fund programs.
I’m sure that the Government Representative in the Senate, who used to serve as the Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, understands municipal officials’ frustration.
Why is this $8.5 billion earmarked for Quebec still sitting in Ottawa’s coffers?
Senator Forest, not only did I serve as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, I was also the minister responsible for housing in 2014. That was 10 years ago. Now I see how quickly all levels of government are acting in terms of capacity, and not just the federal government.
You know as well as I do that there are three levels of government involved in housing issues: the federal government, provincial governments and municipalities. It would be reasonable to think that sums are disbursed as soon as agreements are reached, but what often happens is that, even after agreements have been signed, for all sorts of reasons involving the three levels of government, funds do not reach their destination. All three levels of government would do well to try to find ways to ensure that the funds will be available more quickly.
Thank you for the question.
Dealings between the municipalities and the government in Ottawa are often not entirely legitimate. Quebec citizens and municipalities are therefore bearing the brunt of a jurisdictional war between Quebec City and Ottawa. While the two sides are arguing over the terms and conditions of programs, the money is just sitting in Ottawa, as you said yourself. Why can’t the federal government come to an agreement with Quebec City on the funds earmarked for Quebec municipalities and the people of Quebec?
That’s a very interesting and very complex question. Nobody in Quebec would say that the federal government should deal directly with municipalities. Quebec is very protective of its jurisdiction over municipal matters. I myself was once a member of the Government of Quebec, and I stood up for that, as I will stand up for it here. There is no doubt about that.
About making that money available, you’re right in saying that all three levels of government should make the necessary effort.
