Earlier this month, we were pleased to have our Director of Policy, Research, and Law Reform, Margaret Flynn, as a featured speaker at the Niagara Roundtable on Housing.
The Niagara Roundtable brings together seasoned experts and emerging leaders to foster informed dialogue and advance action on the policy, social, and economic issues shaping Canada’s future.
Event speakers
The roundtable brought together leading voices, including Honourable David Hickey, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation; William Strange, Professor, Economic Analysis and Policy, Camrost Felcorp Chair in Urban Economics at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management; and Taya Cook, Executive Vice President at Urban Capital, for a solutions-focused discussion on Canada’s housing challenges.
Key topics discussed
The discussion focused on three key areas:
– The impact of high housing costs on young people and marginalized communities
– Housing challenges in communities beyond major urban centres
– Various perspectives on more inclusive housing outcomes, including rights-based perspectives
The housing and homelessness crisis in Canada
Canada continues to face a growing housing and homelessness crisis. While the crisis affects people from all walks of life, it disproportionately impacts those already facing barriers, including Indigenous people, Black and other racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, seniors, women, youth, and low-income households.
CCHR’s perspective
Drawing on CCHR’s policy and client services work, Margaret highlighted how housing insecurity affects stability in people’s daily lives, undermining safety, health, and the ability to fully participate in their communities.
“Access to housing is fundamentally about stability. Without security of tenure, our communities cannot build the foundation they need to thrive,” said Margaret Flynn.
Looking ahead
Building on these conversations, we remain focused on advancing the right to housing, ensuring that everyone in Canada has access to a safe, secure, and affordable home. By highlighting the real-world impacts of housing insecurity and advocating for evidence- and rights-based solutions, we aim to support stronger, more stable communities across the country.