Statement by Marie-Claude Morin on the Conservative rejection of bill C-400

With Bill C-400, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, New Democrats proposed a practical solution to help the most vulnerable Canadians access decent housing.

Unfortunately, by refusing to adopt a National Housing Strategy, the Conservative government passed up another opportunity to help Canadians.

Canada remains the only G8 country without a housing strategy. However, 1.5 million families and individuals are unable to access adequate, affordable housing. The federal government has a responsibility to respond to the urgent needs of Canadian families and that is why we introduced our plan to parliament.

The NDP knows it is crucial to implement a housing strategy that establishes structured coordination between the federal government and the provinces, as well as other organizations, in order to achieve a greater availability of secure and affordable housing.

The lack of affordable housing is unacceptable in a wealthy, industrialized country like ours and the New Democratic Party will continue this fight, despite the Conservative government’s indifference.