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February 5th, 2019

Liberals Vote Against Affordable Housing

OTTAWA – On Tuesday, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government showed what they think about the urgent housing crisis affecting people throughout the country by voting against a plan that aimed to bring immediate relief to Canadians. The NDP called on the Liberal government to adequately address Canada’s housing crisis by immediately investing funds needed in this year’s federal budget, but the Liberal government voted not to implement these urgent measures.

“Year after year, the Trudeau government keeps telling Canadians to wait for action on housing. Meanwhile they give billions in corporate tax giveaways. And today, the Prime Minister showed he doesn’t understand what people are going through by voting against a plan to bring immediate relief for those facing the crisis,” said NDP Housing Critic Sheri Benson. “If the Liberal government made different choices, we could bring relief to all Canadians and start building new affordable housing units in this year’s budget. Mr. Trudeau calls the housing situation a crisis; but when it’s time for him to act with urgency, he fails to do so.”

The NDP’s motion called on Trudeau’s Liberal government to act with urgency and create 500,000 units of quality, affordable housing within ten years, and commit in Budget 2019 to completing 250,000 of those units within five years, but it was voted down by the Liberal government.

“Various governments have neglected the housing crisis or made things worse by cutting our housing programs. If we take bold action we can turn things around but it means we need to use every tool in our tool box, starting right away,” added NDP Deputy Housing Critic Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet. “It’s disappointing to see Liberal Members of Parliament failing to stand up for the people in their riding by voting against measures that bring relief to those faced with the housing crisis right away. Everyone in Canada should have a safe and affordable place to call home.”