*Message from Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada
UPDATE: Today marked the last day of the Council of the Federation meetings in Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario. Housing was set to be on the agenda for discussion, and it appears the premiers have reached a consensus.
In a recently posted press release, the premiers noted their stance on housing and the role of the federal government:
Affordable and Social Housing
Premiers underscored the importance of access to affordable and social housing. They acknowledged that although measures are in place, these measures are insufficient. They called on the federal government to work with ministers of housing on a long-term federal funding commitment for housing, which would outline a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to effectively meet the country’s diverse housing needs for both today and future generations. Québec’s Premier indicated that her government intends to make its own representations to the federal government.
This is a victory for housing providers, advocates and the Dignity Campaign, who have been working together this year to encourage greater federal leadership and action on the housing crisis.
As the campaign stated in a press release this week, $1.7 billion in federal operating grants is set to expire next year and this could affect thousands of households receiving support. This is not to mention the 1.5 million in core housing need (paying more than 30% of their rent on shelter) who are also in need of adequate, affordable and accesible housing.
Members of United Nations Human Rights Council have recommended a national housing strategy be established and called the housing situation in Canada an emergency. The federal government has a chance to accept this recommendation in September when they formally respond to the recent Universal Periodic Review of Canada’s human rights record.
With support growing across the country, and now consensus amongst both big city mayors and the premiers that the federal government needs to create a plan of action for housing, it will be hard to ignore this message.
Dignity for All is encouraged by the response of the premiers and is grateful for the support of organizations and individuals across Canada who reached out and joined the effort to get housing on the agenda of the Council of the Federation
