Liberals on the House of Commons ethics committee have successfully halted an opposition attempt to investigate the government's controversial plan to purchase thousands of unsold condominiums in British Columbia. The move, which saw Liberal MPs vote to adjourn debate on a Conservative motion, has fueled accusations that the government is attempting to shield itself and potentially benefit developers with ties to the party.
The emergency meeting, called by the Conservatives, aimed to probe the "condo bailout" program, which would see the government acquire vacant units to convert into affordable housing. Opposition MPs argued that the plan disproportionately benefits developers who may have made poor investment decisions, citing a Liberal Party fundraiser attended by developers paying $1,750 per ticket, and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that developers did not lobby him directly for the program, and that the government has done a "poor job" rolling out the initiative.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn proposed summoning key figures, including housing minister Gregor Robertson and developers linked to a fundraiser, as witnesses. However, Liberal MP Fares Al Soud argued that the focus should remain on getting Canadians into affordable housing, highlighting the approximately $150 million in federal funds allocated for the project. Despite the opposition's push for transparency, the Liberal majority voted to adjourn debate, effectively shelving the investigation. This decision comes amidst broader criticism that the government's housing policy exacerbates costs for Canadians while benefiting well-connected individuals.
New Democrats, including Jenny Kwan, have also voiced concerns, calling the plan a bailout for developers and questioning Prime Minister Carney's framing of the initiative. Conservative MP Gabriel Hardy raised questions about a potential connection between Brookfield Asset Management, a firm Carney previously chaired, and Concert Properties, a developer involved in the condo plan, noting a business partnership occurred shortly before the program's announcement. The Liberals' successful adjournment motion means the ethics committee will not proceed with the proposed investigation at this time.
