National Housing Strategy Letter Drops to MPs

The Federal government is currently developing a NEW National Housing Strategy. This is a real opportunity for Canada to reverse course on many of the issues plaguing renters who are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis. 17+ organizations have signed an open letter demanding transparency and public input from tenants.

The National Housing Strategy (NHS) was created to "ensure everyone in Canada has access to housing that meets their needs and that they can afford." But since the start of the last NHS in 2017:
 

• Average rents across Canada have increased by 46%

• Since 2020, homelessness across Canada has increased by 79% 

• Between 2016 and 2021, Canada lost 230,000 affordable rental units - that’s 46,000 units every single year!

The consultations on the new NHS are currently being done in secret and behind closed doors. Tenant groups have NOT been invited to the table. Every Minister in the Liberal Cabinet is a homeowner and 38% are landlords. How can we expect the federal government to represent tenants’ interests if we’re not consulted?
 
On Thursday, September 3rd ACORN & allies are delivering the open letter to MP offices across the country with the following demands:
 

1. Make the development of the NHS transparent and accessible to all tenants. 

2. Ensure that tenant input is embedded in the process of developing a new NHS. The first step is meeting with tenant groups (not just developers and industry “experts”). 

Show your support by coming out to one of the letter drops (details below) and adding your name to the online action! 

Letter delivery locations:

• Toronto: Meet ACORN, No Demovictions and other tenant groups at 10AM at 409 Parliament Street outside of MP Evan Solomon's office.

• Toronto: Meet York West ACORN at 11AM to at Humber River-Black Creek MP Judy Sgro's office (2201 Finch Ave W #25)

• Ottawa: Meet at the Centennial Flame at Parliament Hill. Time TBD. 

• Hamilton: Meet at Hamilton Centre MP Aslam Rana's office at 25 Charlton Ave E. Time TBD. 

• Brampton: Meet at 1PM outside Brampton—Chinguacousy Park MP Shafqat Ali's office at 225A-350 Rutherford Road.

• London: Meet at 12PM at Victoria Park (Richmond/Central entrance) before going to London North-Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos' Office. 

• Sudbury: Meet at 11AM at Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe's office at 469 Bouchard St Ste 295.

• Calgary: Time/location TBD.