NDP Statement on National Housing Day

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh issued the following statement:

“Canadian families are struggling to afford their rent and people in cities across the country are facing renovictions, skyrocketing housing costs, and ballooning home prices. It’s getting harder and harder for families, young people, and seniors to find an affordable, safe place to live. And the pandemic has only made matters worse.
On this National Housing Day, we are reminded that more than 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness in any given year, and 1.7 million Canadians are living in core housing need, which the Parliamentary Budget Officer says will only continue to grow under Justin Trudeau’s current plan.
We are also reminded that Indigenous peoples are 11 times more likely to use a homeless shelter. Despite this, today marks four years since Justin Trudeau's government has failed to put in place an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.
Instead of taking the housing crisis seriously, Justin Trudeau keeps making it easier for big investors and corporate developers to make big profits by driving up the price of housing. As a result, families across Canada are struggling to stay in the communities where they live, work, and go to school. Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government keep making big promises – but they’re still not taking the housing crisis in Canada seriously.
Canadians need affordable housing solutions now. People can’t afford to wait any longer.
While the Liberals keep cutting help for people, New Democrats will keep fighting to get Canadians home that they can afford – because every person deserves a safe, affordable place to live. And that means keeping up the fight to build 500,000 new homes that Canadians can afford, giving renters immediate relief, taking action against speculators and money laundering that are driving prices up, and implementing a ‘By Indigenous, For Indigenous’ National Housing Center.
People shouldn’t have to choose between paying their rent or buying their groceries. People deserve better. New Democrats will continue to fight for you.”