Good news: Another step forward in the campaign to create a comprehensive affordable housing plan for Canada. The House of Commons has wrapped up debate on the third, and final, reading of Bill C-304 – a private member’s bill from MP Libby Davies that would require the federal government to create a comprehensive national housing […]
Canada inching closer to national housing plan as Commons' vote looms
Canada is inching closer to a long overdue and much-needed national affordable housing plan. Bill C-304, draft legislation to create a national plan that was proposed by Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East, is back for the second round of debate on third reading on Nov. 18. Then the Commons is scheduled to vote on […]
Continue ReadingCanada inching closer to national housing plan as Commons' vote looms
Book launch: Persistent Poverty – Voices from the Margins, Dec 2
Persistent Poverty, Voices from the Margins documents the real lives of some of the poorest people living in one of the richest places in the world – people living on welfare in Ontario. It’s the third in a series from the InterFaith Social Assistance Review Committee and the stories are drawn from a tour of […]
Continue ReadingBook launch: Persistent Poverty – Voices from the Margins, Dec 2
Maytree’s Alan Broadbent: Canada’s urban areas need more power, autonomy
Canada is an urban nation – 80% of Canadians now live in urban areas, a big change from our founding in 1867 when 80% of Canadians were in rural areas. But while the nation has changed, our governing structures remain stuck in the 19th century. Municipalities are, according to the Constitution, “creatures of the provinces” – […]
Continue ReadingMaytree’s Alan Broadbent: Canada’s urban areas need more power, autonomy
Feds confirm three-year homeless funding extension; freeze dollars at 1999 level
The federal government has officially confirmed $134.8m annual funding for the national homelessness program over the next three years. In September of 2008, the feds promised to extend the funding for five years, but said they would review funding practices at year two (fiscal 2010), so the decision to honour the 2008 promise is good news. Human Resources […]
Continue ReadingFeds confirm three-year homeless funding extension; freeze dollars at 1999 level
Presentation: International housing rights a powerful tool to secure good homes for all
International housing rights can be a powerful tool to identify housing issues and practical solutions, engage communities and leverage solutions. The Wellesley Institute presentation to the 2010 National Association of Housing and Renewal Organization national affordable housing conference sets out issues and strategies, and our information sheet provides on-line links to additional resources.
Strengthen Ontario Provincial Policy Statement to ensure healthy, affordable homes for all
Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement – a little-known but very important document that sets planning and zoning rules for municipalities – needs to strengthened so that it can be an important tool for local communities to address affordable housing needs. The Wellesley Institute’s submission to the five-year review of the PPS sets out a series of […]
Great news: National housing act bill (C-304) moves big step closer to law
Great news! Third reading debate on Bill C-304 – draft legislation to create a national housing plan for Canada – started on Wednesday evening in Parliament, and three of the four political parties in the Commons have pledged their support. Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, sponsor of the bill, told her fellow MPs: “This bill […]
Continue ReadingGreat news: National housing act bill (C-304) moves big step closer to law
Kids in poor neighbourhoods have higher rate of hospitalization from unintentional injuries: StatsCanada
Children and teens generally have a higher rate of hospitalization from unintentional injuries than those in wealthier neighbourhoods, according to a new report from Statistics Canada released today. The report adds to the growing body of scientific research that documents health inequalities: the heavier burden of poor health and premature death experienced by lower-income people. The […]
It’s official! Canada’s independent Task Force on Social Finance launched today
Canada’s independent Task Force on Social Finance was launched today. The task force chair is Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of MaRS, and the initiative is also supported by Social Innovation Generation. Social finance is a broad umbrella that includes new ways of thinking, new ways of financing, new models of collaboration and new partnerships that are […]
Continue ReadingIt’s official! Canada’s independent Task Force on Social Finance launched today