‘Akin to Lego': Homes built in a factory may be ‘next frontier'
Still, she said the federal government deserves credit for programs that support both non-profit housing and private involvement in constructing more purpose-built rentals.
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Carney also pledged to create a federal entity to oversee the development of affordable housing in Canada. The plan could provide more than $25 billion in financing to prefabricated homebuilders.
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Modular houses are built in a factory and transported to the site. They're making up an increasing part of the overall housing mix.
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'We're going to see more and more, if not completely manufactured units, component manufacturing of housing that gets kind of assembled on site, akin to Lego,' Hahn said.
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Still, Hahn cautioned against the government playing a major role in the private sector, which he said is already building housing at a rapid pace in Alberta.
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Alberta could, for the first time in over 40 years, top Ontario in new home construction, with the western province being on pace to build nearly 60,000 homes by the end of 2025.
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According to Tsenkova, modular houses have the advantage of being delivered quickly — and, in some cases, assembled on-site overnight.
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In contrast, another apartment building across the street, which Attainable Homes built with traditional methods, took more than twice the amount of time.
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When fully assembled, the apartment units will have rents below market rates, at around $1,100 including heat, water and electricity.
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In contrast, the average rent for a studio apartment in Calgary is $1,433, according to RentFaster.
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Income eligibility requirements are set so that clients spend about 30 per cent of their gross income on rent, or have a target income of around $44,000.
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'My personal dream would be that everyone has access to a place they can afford that's (a) dignified shelter for them,' Tait said.
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ATCO has worked on other housing projects throughout the country, including seven for BC Housing, the City of Toronto and more.
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Although modular isn't the only solution for the housing crisis, Beattie argues it has to be a bigger part of it.
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Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Quebec's aluminum processors press Ottawa for support as trade talks continue
The head of aluminum products and processing group AluQuébec is urging Ottawa to provide immediate financial assistance to the industry after Canada failed to reach a trade deal by U.S. President Donald Trump's Friday deadline. The two countries appear far from reaching a pact. On Thursday night, Mr. Trump followed through with his threat of hiking the tariff on Canadian goods that are not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada free-trade agreement to 35 per cent from 25 per cent if a deal was not reached by Aug. 1. U.S. levies on the aluminum sector, which were imposed in March, and doubled to 50 per cent in June, remain in place. Mr. Carney had cautioned earlier this week that the timeline to reach an agreement could be pushed out, and that negotiations would continue until Canada got the best deal for Canadians. With never-ending tariff drama, the Canadian economy limps along Charlotte Laramée, president of AluQuébec, which represents small- and medium-sized aluminum products companies, said Friday she understands why Canada has not yet reached an agreement with the U.S. 'We know that the Government of Canada wants to have the best deal possible, even if it will take longer,' said Ms. Laramée in an interview. 'But the longer it is, the more difficult it is for the companies.' There are more than 1,700 small- and medium-sized enterprises in Quebec that process aluminum, employing just under 30,000 people. While primary aluminum producers have been able to redirect a significant portion of their production to Europe, SMEs aren't in a position to do that, said Ms. Laramée. That's because they are paying a higher price for the aluminum sourced in North America compared with their competition in Europe. Ms. Laramée is asking Ottawa to provide subsidies, forgivable loans and to introduce programs to help SMEs become more productive. The federal government has made loans available to large aluminum companies affected by the trade war through its Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility. To qualify, companies must have at least $300-million in annual revenue, a threshold that excludes small- and medium-sized companies. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly's office did not respond to a request for comment. John Rapley: Beneath the bluster, the U.S. is losing the trade war As Canada's SMEs outline the difficulties they're facing as a result of the aluminum tariffs, Canada's biggest primary producer, Rio Tinto PLC, is playing down the impact. In a statement earlier this week, London-based Rio said that while it had incurred US$321-million in costs on its aluminum exports to the U.S., the higher price of the commodity was a major offset. In a conference call with analysts on Wednesday, chief executive officer Jakob Stausholm also said it wasn't his place to kick up a stink over the levies. 'Do we like 50-per-cent tariffs on aluminum? Not really. But it's not for us to make much statements around that,' he said. Rio Tinto declined requests for an interview. While U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated earlier this week that the U.S. is willing to work with Canada on the aluminum tariffs, Mr. Trump has appeared to be less flexible. 'Bessent is showing the carrot and Trump is showing the stick,' George Heppel, VP, commodities research with BMO Capital Markets, said in an interview. A sensible solution would be for the U.S. to reduce the aluminum tariff on Canada to 20 per cent, said Mr. Heppel. That would still incent new investment in U.S. smelting capacity, but wouldn't be high enough to overly punish the U.S. manufacturing sector. The U.S. leans heavily on Canada to satisfy its aluminum demand for industries, including aerospace, defence, construction and automotive. Canadian smelters last year sent approximately 2.9 million tonnes of primary aluminum to U.S. customers, accounting for 70 per cent of American imports. Mr. Heppel doesn't see a truce between Canada and the U.S. occurring without major commitments made by Ottawa. 'For the Trump administration to publicly roll back aluminum tariffs in a big way, there would have to be the right story behind it, and it would have to involve some sort of concession from the Canadian side,' he said. One of Mr. Trump's biggest asks has been for foreign companies to increase their smelting capacity in the U.S. Since the aluminum tariffs were first implemented in March, Dubai-based Emirates Global Aluminium has been one of the few to commit to building a new smelter in the U.S. Mr. Heppel said that aluminum companies would face steep competition for hydro contacts with extremely deep pocketed technology companies such as Microsoft that are building AI data centres, a factor that significantly dampens the investment case. The Washington-based Aluminum Association reported this week that aluminum demand in the United States and Canada, representing shipments by domestic producers plus imports, fell by 4.4 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier as the trade war rages on. 'We encourage the U.S. and Canada to continue a dialogue and come to a trade agreement that includes tariff alignment throughout North America to ensure both fair trade in the region and the steady flow of aluminum for U.S. producers,' Aluminum Association chief executive officer Charles Johnson said in a statement. With a report by Jeffrey Jones
Montreal Gazette
5 hours ago
- Montreal Gazette
Read Anthony Housefather's full statement on Canada's plan to recognize Palestine
After Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada plans to recognize a Palestinian state this September, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather issued a statement clarifying his own position. Carney's plan for recognition includes a series of conditions: the Palestinian Authority must hold elections in 2026 without Hamas and commit to demilitarization. He also emphasized a Palestinian state must recognize Israel's inalienable right to exist and reiterated Canada's call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages being held by Hamas since the attack of Oct. 7, 2023. Housefather, who represents one of Canada's largest Jewish communities in the Montreal riding of Mount Royal, said he reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but warned recognition must not come at the expense of Israel's security. In his statement, he said recognition must be contingent on Hamas fully surrendering, releasing hostages and being barred from any future role in governance. He also called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to publicly support Israel's right to exist 'in both English and Arabic.' Housefather said he raised these concerns directly with Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and he will 'continue to work with like-minded colleagues to ensure that this approach is pursued by the government.' Last year, Housefather was one of only three Liberal MPs to oppose a motion recognizing Palestinian statehood. He later said he was considering leaving the party and sitting as an independent, but ultimately decided to stay. Read Housefather's statement in full below 'I strongly support all efforts to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, including direct airdrops. While some progress has been made over the past week, civilians in Gaza have paid too high a price for the actions of Hamas. Israel must take immediate steps to ensure that sufficient food and humanitarian aid reaches those in Gaza who desperately need it. I appreciate the Prime Minister's decision to include clear messaging on antisemitism in his remarks. The Canadian Jewish community is not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. Yet, for almost two years, some within the Canadian population have forced Jewish Canadians and their allies to bear the brunt of hateful speech and actions fuelled by the Middle East conflict. The Prime Minister has committed to doing much more to keep all Canadians — Jewish Canadians included — safe. I will continue to focus on ensuring much-needed Criminal Code reforms are implemented and that provinces, municipalities, and local police are pressured to enforce both the Criminal Code and relevant municipal bylaws. Canada and Israel have been close friends since Israel's creation. This relationship is strong and enduring, transcending whichever governments are in place in either country at any given time. I have always supported a two-state solution, and achieving one remains the objective of the Prime Minister and the Canadian government. Two peoples — Israelis and Palestinians — living side by side in security is the only path to long-term peace in the Middle East. It is also the only way for Israel to remain both a Jewish and democratic state. I have been deeply disappointed by statements from Israeli government ministers rejecting a two-state solution and proposing annexation of the West Bank and Gaza, among other concerning positions. However, we cannot forget that Hamas began this conflict, slaughtering over 1,200 people, injuring many more, and committing atrocities on October 7, 2023. Eight Canadians — including Alex Look from my own riding — were murdered by Hamas. Alex died a hero, protecting others. Hamas bears the largest share of responsibility for a two-state solution being impossible to implement, given its rejection of the State of Israel's right to exist and its founding charter, which calls for the murder of Jews worldwide. As such, I feel very strongly that, among other conditions, any recognition of a Palestinian state must be entirely contingent on Hamas laying down its arms, surrendering, and no longer being in power in Gaza. Recognition must also depend on the release of all living hostages held in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as well as the return of the remains of those who were murdered. I also believe that recognition should be contingent on the future Palestinian state recognizing Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state in peace and security. President Abbas has a long history of incitement against Israel, and he must now publicly declare, in both English and Arabic, that he supports Israel's right to exist. He must also take concrete steps to meet the predicates set out in our government's statement. Palestine must be demilitarized, and free and fair elections must be held under international supervision. No terrorist group, including Hamas, should be allowed to participate. We have had direct conversations, and I know the Prime Minister shares my concerns. That is why the issues I have raised were included as predicates in the government's statement. I believe any recognition must be conditional on these requirements being met, and I will continue to work with like-minded colleagues to ensure that this approach is pursued by the government.'
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quick quotes: Reaction to Trump's 35 per cent tariffs on Canada
OTTAWA – U.S. President Donald Trump has followed through on his earlier threat to increase tariffs on Canada to 35 per cent. Trump signed an executive order Thursday night to hit Canada with higher duties, after the two countries did not reach a trade deal by Aug. 1. Here's a sample of what political and business figures are saying: — 'While the Canadian government is disappointed by this action, we remain committed to CUSMA, which is the world's second-largest free trade agreement by trading volume … While we will continue to negotiate with the United States on our trading relationship, the Canadian government is laser focused on what we can control: building Canada strong.' — Prime Minister Mark Carney 'Conservatives share Canadians' disappointment that a deal with the United States was not reached by the August 1st deadline. Canada faces more U.S. tariffs than ever before, and we stand united with all workers facing devastation from unjustified tariffs on steel, aluminum, softwood, auto and agriculture. These deeply misguided policies will hurt families and businesses on both sides of the border.' — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre 'Mr. Carney gave in on key issues, including scrapping the digital services tax on multi-billionaire tech giants, committing to NATO's excessive 5 per cent target, and violating Canadians' privacy rights by signing up to Trump's ominous ICE security state with Bill C-2. But none of this worked. Instead, Trump has slapped Canada with a 35 per cent tariff and continued his attack on our country and workers.' — Interim NDP Leader Don Davies 'Canada shouldn't settle for anything less than the right deal. Now is not the time to roll over. We need to stand our ground. The increase in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent is concerning, especially with tariffs still in place on steel, aluminum, autos, forestry and now copper.' — Ontario Premier Doug Ford 'We are pleased to see that CUSMA-compliant goods remain tariff-free, including the vast majority of goods Alberta sells to the U.S. such as all oil and gas and agricultural products. That said, it's also disappointing to see tariffs on other Canadian goods increase to 35 per cent. These tariffs hurt both Canadian and American businesses and workers, and they weaken one of the most important trade and security alliances in the world.' — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith 'While Saskatchewan is disappointed in the Trump administration's decision to increase tariffs on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian goods to 35 per cent, Canada's efforts to ensure CUSMA remains in effect means that 95 per cent of Saskatchewan exports to the U.S. will remain tariff-free.' — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe 'The White House fact sheet should be called a fact-less sheet when it comes to basing trade decisions about Canada on the fentanyl emergency … The Carney government is right to prioritize a strong, future-focused deal over a rushed one. A little more time now can deliver lasting benefits for an integrated North American economy — and that's well worth the wait.' — Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Candace Laing 'The hike in U.S. tariffs to 35 per cent will harm small businesses on both sides of the border. The fentanyl rationale is even more ridiculous than the decision itself. While it is good news that most Canadian exports will remain tariff-free due to the CUSMA/USMCA exemption, the uncertainty alone will continue to take a toll on Canada's small businesses.' — Canadian Federation of Independent Business president and CEO Dan Kelly This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.
