Feds tell people struggling to find housing to call 'local authorities'

Article content

The federal government is suggesting to people who are struggling to find affordable housing that they call “local authorities.”

Housing Minister Sean Fraser, during a press conference on Monday, responded to reporters who asked how the government’s recent measures announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau— including the removal of the GST from construction of rental apartments — will help people find affordable homes right now.

“You’ve got to realize the tools that we have at the federal level … will take a significant period of time to grow the housing stock, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Fraser said.

“What people who are living through, who are sleeping rough today, need to do is to contact local authorities.

Now, the options vary significantly depending on where you are in the country.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Fraser continued, saying the federal government has helped with the Canada Housing Benefit, financial support for shelter systems across the country and investments in below-market affordable housing after speaking with municipal leaders over the last few months.

“But people who are without an option today need to reach out to their local authorities who are actually managing the on-the-ground supports. The situation varies, obviously, from community to community.”

Social media lit up at Fraser’s use of “local authorities,” which can be used to describe the police.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

“So people should phone the RCMP to find a home?” one person asked on social media site X, formally known as Twitter.

“Hello, 911? I need an apartment,” another wrote sarcastically about the advice.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre waded into the fray as well, saying Trudeau is “not worth the cost” to Canadians looking for affordable places to live.

“After the Liberals doubled housing costs, Trudeau’s housing minister tells Canadians to call ‘local authorities’ to help them find a place to live,” Poilievre wrote on X.

Other people called the federal government “completely out to lunch” on the housing crisis and “Liberal incompetence front and centre.”