Conservative housing announcements lack foundation

HALIFAX – Following yet another set of campaign-style “announcements” by members of the Conservative government yesterday, New Democrat Critic for Housing and Homelessness Megan Leslie (Halifax) renewed her call for a national strategy to build new units and create a serious plan to deal with Canada’s urgent housing crisis.

“The funding announced yesterday in Ottawa, though needed, continues a piecemeal approach to addressing homelessness,” said Leslie. “For years, housing providers, homelessness organisations and even the United Nations have called for Canada to come up with a National Housing Strategy – it’s time to act and make sure that federal investments have the greatest possible impact.”

The federal budget provided yet another one-time investment, narrowly targeted and tightly restricted.

"Announcing that you've cut a cheque to fund a project you've already announced isn't action on affordable housing.” said Leslie “It may help their Party politically to make these re-announcements, but it does nothing to help thousands of homeless Canadians or the millions who find themselves in precarious housing. They are being let down by the Harper government’s ad-hoc approach.”

This spring, New Democrats brought forward Vancouver East MP Libby Davies’ Bill C-304, which mandates the federal government to work with all levels of government on a national strategy for safe, affordable, accessible housing for all Canadians. The bill is up for debate again in September.