The deputy prime minister brought her post-budget sales pitch to the province yesterday, highlighting the push for more housing at a new build in Mount Pearl.
Chrystia Freeland, also the Finance minister, warmed up the crowd with a quip about the weather on a cold, wet and windy day atop Mount Carson Avenue.
That’s where a ceremonial sod-turning took place for the new Dunrobin Flats.
The first 24-unit apartment complex for the area is precisely the kind of project the feds want to accelerate, in tandem with the province and municipalities like Mount Pearl.
That’s a relationship that Freeland said is crucial toward meeting Ottawa’s goal of building almost four million new homes by 2031.
That’ll be complemented by a new Public Lands for Homes plan, a protection fund for renters, and a new Canadian renters’ bill of rights.
Freeland’s words garnered much applause from those huddled under tents around heavy equipment at the Donovan Homes site — from CHMC officials to construction workers to office staff, appropriately enough on administrative professionals’ day.
Asked whether the rush to build could create safety risks, Freeland was blunt.
“No. I know that builders, municipalities and building inspectors across the country are not cutting any corners when it comes to the health and safety of Canadians,” she said.