The latest developments in housing policy from across Canada:
NATIONAL
- The Federal Housing Advocate will review the impacts of the financialization of housing in Canada
Last month, the Federal Housing Advocate selected financialization of housing as the first systemic issue to undergo a rights review and has since commissioned a series of reports by housing rights experts and academics. The reports received by the Advocate demonstrate the impact of the financialization of housing on rents, evictions, discrimination and worsening living conditions.
The summary report of key findings offers a list of 51 recommendations for all levels of government, including regulating financialized actors, strengthening renter protections, and supporting public and non-profit supply of housing at the provincial level.
Communities and groups across Canada are encouraged to make a submission to the Federal Housing Advocate on this systemic housing issue.
- The federal Parliamentary Black Caucus seeks pre-budget submissions from Black-led organizations
The federal Parliamentary Black Caucus is hosting a pre-budget consultation. Black-led organizations and stakeholders are invited to make a submission to share their priorities for Black Canadians in the federal government’s 2023 budget. Submissions are welcome until November 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm EST.
ATLANTIC CANADA
NOVA SCOTIA
- Renovictions continue to displace tenants in Nova Scotia
Renovictions are increasingly becoming an issue in some of Canada’s major cities. Earlier this year, the provincial government of Nova Scotia lifted a temporary ban on renovictions. However, tenants across the province and housing advocates are calling on the government to strengthen protections for renters. The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights’ (CCHR) Director of Policy and Communications, Bahar Shadpour stresses the importance of tracking renovictions across Canada to capture the experience of the communities most impacted.
- The Nova Scotia government unveils details of a new housing agency
On October 20, the Nova Scotia government introduced its Housing Supply and Services Act, which repeals and replaces the Housing Act and Housing Nova Scotia Act. The new legislation will take effect on December 1 and is set to modernize the structure and improve the oversight of public housing programs, by centralizing the administration, management, and maintenance of public housing under a new Crown corporation, the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency. Its advisory board answers to the housing minister, and all non-public housing programs will be transferred to the authority of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Housing organizations and advocates have raised concerns over the Act, requesting changes that would ensure the Act is rights-based and supports the housing needs of lower income residents in the province. Read the submissions made by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in Nova Scotia and the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service.
NEW BRUNSWICK
- New Brunswick Minister says the rent cap is not addressing rising unaffordability but housing advocates disagree
Between January 1 and December 31, 2022, the New Brunswick government has implemented a rent cap, limiting rent increases to 3.8%. It is unclear if the rent cap will be renewed in 2023. Service New Brunswick Minister Mary Wilson argues that rent control deters investments in affordable housing. However, ACORN New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Coalition for Tenant Rights say that removing the rent cap will leave low-income tenants vulnerable to high rent increases and make housing less secure. They are calling for a permanent 2% cap on rent increases to support the needs of renters in the province.
CENTRAL CANADA
ONTARIO
- Ontario proposes new legislation aimed at increasing housing supply
On October 25, Ontario’s provincial government tabled Bill 23, under its “More Homes Built Faster” plan. According to the government, the measures contained in this bill aim to speed up housing construction and will contribute to the province’s plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. The package of legislative changes will introduce gentle density across residential neighbourhoods, eliminate or reduce development charges and other fees for affordable, rental and non-profit housing, and reform processes at the Ontario Land Tribunal – amongst other measures.
Diverse stakeholders have voiced concern over initiatives included in the bill. Housing advocates have highlighted that some measures will negatively impact both the current and future supply of affordable rental housing, for example proposed measures that would allow the province to override municipal housing protection by-laws and new rules limiting inclusionary zoning frameworks. Municipalities have argued that the proposed initiatives will also reduce municipal revenue streams that are currently invested in the construction and operation of affordable housing.
We have summarized and analyzed some of the key initiatives proposed by Bill 23, with a focus on initiatives intended to impact current and future rental housing supply, reflecting that renter households in Ontario consistently experience the greatest housing need.
- Advocates call on the Ontario government to re-focus Bill 23 on those in greatest housing need
Housing advocates from across Ontario are sending a joint letter to the Government of Ontario to voice serious concern about its proposed housing bill – Bill 23. They are calling on the province to amend its legislation to focus on investing in affordable and deeply affordable housing and protecting households who are most in need of adequate housing. Individuals and organizations are invited to sign-on to this initiative.
- Ontarians voted in their municipal elections
On October 24, Ontarians voted in their municipal elections. In Toronto, John Tory secured a third term as Mayor. Tory has said that he regards housing as a top priority This is his first mandate where he can exercise strong-mayor powers, which will allow him to veto certain Council decisions. His proposed 5-step program would promote “missing middle” housing to expand housing options. In Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffe was elected as the new Mayor. He campaigned on a housing plan that promises to supply 1,000 community housing units every year for the next decade. The new Mayor of Waterloo, Dorothy McCabe, made environment and sustainable urban development the key drivers of her campaign, and committed to leveraging municipal land to build more affordable and accessible housing that is well-connected to active transportation, urban infrastructures and green spaces.
QUEBEC
[Français]
- Les Québécois choisissent la continuité avec un autre mandat pour François Legault
Le premier ministre sortant du Québec et chef de la Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), François Legault, a été réélu lors d’une victoire écrasante le 3 octobre. Des défenseurs du droit au logement basés à Montréal ont critiqué les mesures d’austérité de Legault, et ont généralement été déçus par la réponse tiède de la campagne à la crise du logement. La CAQ promet un investissement de 1,8 milliard de dollars pour construire 11 700 logements sociaux et subventionner 7 200 logements supplémentaires par des suppléments au loyer. Cependant, les coalitions de locataires le Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) et le Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ) maintiennent qu’il faudrait au moins 50 000 nouveaux logements pour pouvoir offrir des logements abordables aux ménages à revenu faible et moyen. Le 20 octobre, Legault a nommé France-Elaine Duranceau, ancienne agente immobilière et comptable, comme nouvelle ministre responsable de l’Habitation. Cette démarche a été bien accueillie par les associations de locataires et les bailleurs associatifs, la création d’un ministère uniquement dédié au logement était une demande en suspens depuis longtemps.
[English]
- Quebecers choose continuity with another term for Francois Legault
Incumbent Quebec Premier and Leader of Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), François Legault, was re-elected in a sweeping victory on October 3. Montreal-based housing advocates have criticized Legault’s austerity measures and have been generally disappointed by the campaign’s lukewarm response to the housing crisis. The CAQ is promising an investment of $1.8 billion to build 11,700 social housing units and subsidize an additional 7,200 units through rent supplements. However, tenant coalitions le Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) and le Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ) argue that at least 50,000 new units are needed to provide housing that is affordable to low- to moderate-income households, including the 24,000 households registered on a waiting list for social housing. On October 20, Legault appointed France-Elaine Duranceau, a former realtor and accountant, as the new minister responsible for housing. This move was welcome by tenant organizations and non-profit housing providers, as the creation of a Ministry solely dedicated to housing had been a long-time request of community actors.
[Français]
- Une nouvelle politique métropolitaine en cours d’élaboration vise à répondre à la crise du logement à Montréal
En décembre 2021, la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) a chargé sa Commission de l’habitation d’élaborer une Politique métropolitaine de l’habitation afin de faire face à la crise du logement dans la région la plus peuplée de la province. Une première ébauche a été présentée en juin et a fait l’objet d’une consultation publique en septembre, recueillant l’appui de plus de 50 intervenants en logement des secteurs communautaire, à but non lucratif, et privé.
La nouvelle politique vise à assurer le logement abordable et à créer une offre suffisante, diversifiée et adaptée à l’évolution des besoins des résidents, et à créer des milieux de vie complets par une densification urbaine stratégique. La CMM prévoit peaufiner la politique en fonction des recommandations des parties prenantes avant son adoption finale à la fin de l’année.
[English]
- A new policy being developed aims to address Montreal’s housing crisis
In December 2021, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) mandated its Housing Commission to develop a Metropolitan Housing Policy to address the housing crisis in the province’s most populous region. A first draft was presented in June and underwent public consultation in September, garnering support from over 50 housing stakeholders from the community, non-profit, and private sectors.
The new policy seeks to ensure housing affordability, create supply that is sufficient, diverse and adapted to the changing needs of residents, and create complete living environments through strategic urban densification. The CMM plans to refine the policy based on stakeholders’ recommendations before its final adoption at the end of the year.
WESTERN CANADA
MANITOBA
- Advocates urge the government to address the root causes of homelessness
Advocates in Winnipeg are calling on the next government to address the root causes of homelessness and create more support services for people suffering from addictions. This confirms the findings of a recent poll, showing that the great majority of Winnipeggers are in favour of providing sanctioned encampments and safe consumption sites. During the election campaign, the platforms of candidates running for Mayor and Councillors also reflected the focus on addressing the root causes of poverty.
SASKATCHEWAN
- Advocates call on the City of Regina to take action to solve the homelessness crisis
Advocates and Rally Around Homelessness circulated a petition calling on the City of Regina to commit to ending homelessness. Since promising to rapidly build supportive housing in November 2021, the City has made little progress towards that goal and those experiencing homeless will have to wait longer to find housing. The petition calls for more concrete action and an itemized budget by the end of the year.
ALBERTA
- The Alberta government announces new funding to address homelessness and addiction support services
On October 1, the Government of Alberta pledged $187 million in funding to address homelessness and strengthen support to people suffering from addictions over the next two years. The announcement confirmed that $124 million will be invested to build “recovery” communities in Edmonton and Calgary, with increased and diversified support services for people fighting addictions, and $63 million will be invested to expand 24/7 winter shelter spaces in priority communities. While the funding targets have been criticized by the opposition for failing to provide permanent shelter solutions, some shelter organizations in downtown Edmonton hope that this initiative stays on course “no matter who wins the next UCP election.”
BRITISH COLUMBIA
- A wave of government changes sweeps across B.C. municipalities
Residents across British Columbia voted in municipal elections on October 22. Housing and public safety were identified as top priorities by the newly elected mayors in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey and Kelowna. In Vancouver, the new Mayor Ken Sim’s plan includes an annual investment of $20 million to fund police and mental health services, and a push to create co-op housing and fast-track housing development. The Vancouver Mayor’s ABC party also won the majority of seats at Council.
NORTHERN CANADA
- New data shows that housing in Inuit communities has worsened in recent years
Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census shows that a third of the Inuit communities of Inuit Nunangat – a traditional territory covering Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Northern Quebec, and Labrador – still live in inadequate, overcrowded and dangerous housing conditions. The housing situation in these communities has worsened since the last Census in 2016, with an increase of 1.2% of dwellings in need of major repairs in Inuit Nunangat. A study in 2019 found that poor living conditions were at the root of the disproportionately high rates of tuberculosis among Inuit communities. Housing in these communities has been underfunded and neglected. More than $3 billion is needed in the next 10 years to address the housing needs of Inuit Nunangat communities, according to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, an organization representing Inuit peoples in Canada.
YUKON
- Advocates campaign to bring attention to poverty and homelessness in Yukon
On October 17, the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition launched its annual Poverty and Homelessness Action Week. This year’s campaign focused on healing and building relationships and highlighted the need to address the trauma that people experiencing homelessness face on a daily basis, who are disproportionately First Nations people. The National Director for Campaign 2000 said that while Yukon experiences similar housing issues seen throughout Canada, the territory faces unique challenges related to geographic disparities and services that are spread out and difficult for people to access. Wohlfarth Levins, an advocate with Voices Influencing Change, called on the City of Whitehorse to speed up development processes for affordable housing projects, and called on the City to work with advocates to contribute their expertise toward finding solutions.