In the past two weeks, Canada has seen two significant events take place. The first was the tabling of the 2013 federal budget, and the second was a pre-session on Canada in Geneva, which precedes the upcoming review of the country’s human rights record this April. While the budget was widely publicized (and critiqued), the second event received little national attention but deserves greater awareness.
The 2013 Federal Budget
As to be expected, the budget held very few highlights for vulnerable populations and continued to tout a focus on jobs and skills training. Money that was welcomed for current housing programs is not enough to put a dent in the need for affordable, adequate housing, and will not end homelessness.
While it is good news that the federal government is maintaining the Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding at $119 million a year over five years, and $253 million a year for five years as part of the Affordable Housing program, this merely keeps the status quo. Between 250,000 and 400,000 people are homeless, and this will not change without further investment.
The $119 million is also less than currently allocated ($134.8 million/yr) which will have a negative effect on the 61 communities who administer the funds through programming and services.
Two other key points on housing were the new federal focus on ‘housing first’ and the $100 million fund for housing in Nunavut.
Housing First is an approach whereby homeless individuals are given housing without requirements which is supported by access to services to help them stabilize. Most recently used in the federal government housing initiative called “At Home/Chez Soi”, it has proven more successful (and humane) helping individuals find housing, stay housed and getting help.
The $100 million for housing in Nunavut is a great start. The money will come over a two-year period and be put towards the construction of 250 houses. In a territory with extraordinarily high housing costs, this will be a much needed boost to individuals and families homeless or inadequately housed.
What is missing is the coordinated effort of the federal government to ensure all individuals have their right to housing respected and fulfilled. This would have been part of Bill C-400, legislation for a national housing strategy that was recently voted down at the end of February. A strategy such as this would ensure that we are not merely keeping the status quo, but actually aiming to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, housing insecurity.
UPR Pre-Session in Geneva
In the coming weeks you will notice more information posted on CWP’s website about the UPR – the Universal Periodic Review of Canada’s human rights record. This is a process established in 2006 whereby all members of the United Nations are reviewed by their peers in regards to their human rights record – civil and political rights as well as social, economic and cultural rights.
Canada is under review this April, which will be the second time it has faced scrutiny regarding human rights in the country. The first review took place in 2009 where states expressed concern for poverty, hunger, Indigenous groups, women, racialized persons and persons with disabilities. Recommendations were made to Canada to address issues regarding low-income and vulnerable persons and even to establish a national poverty strategy (which the government rejected).
While Canada accepted in full or in part to, “continue to address socio-economic disparities and inequalities that persist across the country”, stating that it will continue “to explore ways to enhance efforts to address poverty and housing issues, in collaboration with provinces and territories”. The Canadian government also committed to giving “appropriate attention to vulnerable groups in policy development”. These commitments have not come to fruition.
On Monday March 25th, CWP presented at a pre-session of the April UPR to delegates of the UN. The presentation spoke about the lack of action taken by the federal government to address poverty, homelessness and hunger, and suggested recommendations fellow delegates could make to Canada at the April UPR session. Read the full statement here.
CWP was joined by other organizations such as the Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change, Voices_Voix Coalition and the Social Rights Advocacy Centre. Noticeably absent were organizations representing Indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, and women. At a meeting with representatives of the Canadian government that followed the session, the lack of funding to support groups was mentioned as many organizations could simply not afford to be in Geneva.
As the April UPR approaches more details will be posted on this site.
