Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That the committee resume debate on this motion :

Given that,

• while families are increasingly making hard choices about paying rent or keeping food on the table, corporate landlords have been contributing to rising rents in Canada by buying up previously affordable apartments and raising rents to increase profits for investors;
• one of Canada’s largest corporate landlords, Dream Unlimited, has admitted to using AI software that the U.S. government has alleged allows landlords to illegally coordinate rent increases, and that the software is commonly used by as many as 13 companies in Canada with more than $5 billion in revenue;
• today the biggest real estate investment firms collectively own close to 20 percent of the purpose-built rental units in Canada, nearly 400,000 rental units, up from zero in the 1990s;
• the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, also known as PSP Investments, has significant investments in multi-family housing in partnership with Starlight Investments, including 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park Drive in Toronto where tenants are fighting above guideline rent increases that will force people out of their homes;

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities undertake a study of the role of financialized landlords on rising costs in Canada’s rental market, including how the use of algorithmic pricing tools is contributing to rent increases and how pervasive this practice is across the Canadian rental market; that the committee invite President of Dream Unlimited Michael J. Cooper, CEO of Starlight Investments Daniel Drimmer, CEO of Boardwalk REIT Sam Kolias, CEO of Mainstreet Equity Bob Dhillon, CEO of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) Mark Kenney, President and CEO of PSP Investments Deborah K. Orida, and other experts and stakeholders; that the committee hold a minimum of four meetings and report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Debate arose thereon.

At 11:07 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:09 a.m., the meeting resumed.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bonita Zarrillo — 1;

NAYS: Scott Aitchison, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Wayne Long, Tony Van Bynen, Dominique Vien — 10.

Kevin Lee, Philippe Lapointe and Alana Lavoie made statements and, together with Nicolas Trudel, answered questions.

At 12:04 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:10 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Patrick Chouinard and Fiona Coughlin made statements and answered questions.

Louise Chabot moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of the situation of workers in the seasonal industry with regard to necessary improvements and changes to the employment insurance program to meet the needs of these workers, who often face job insecurity and financial difficulties for themselves and their families; that the Committee devote three meetings, including two to hear witnesses; that it invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and public servants to answer the Committee's questions for one hour, as well as groups defending the rights of the unemployed and other relevant witnesses; and that the committee report its recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Scott Aitchison, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Wayne Long, Tony Van Bynen, Dominique Vien, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.