ACORN Canada demands a re-investment in affordable housing!
Posted March 20, 2025
On March 19th, ACORN members and allies took to the streets in 10 cities across Canada, demanding urgent federal action to address the housing crisis. With rents soaring, wages stagnating, and corporate landlords prioritizing profits over people, tenants are being squeezed harder than ever. The federal government ceased funding for social housing in 1993—30 years later, we’re in a crisis. Now, economic instability from U.S. tariffs threatens to push costs even higher, putting low- and moderate-income Canadians at greater risk.
Enough is enough. As the cost-of-living crisis grows, so must our demands. ACORN is calling for bold, immediate action:
- A National Rent Freeze & Rent Control – Stop unaffordable rent hikes and prevent mass evictions.
- Stronger Tenant Protections – End exploitative practices like renovictions and fixed-term leases.
- Investment in Non-Market Housing – Build 50,000 new rent-geared-to-income homes every year.
- Regulation of Corporate Landlords – Hold financialized landlords accountable and curb predatory practices.
ACORN members across the country organized rallies, tenant speak-outs, and direct actions to send a clear message: housing is a human right, and the government must step up to protect tenants and invest in real, long-term solutions.
Scroll down to see what happened nationwide, and if you couldn’t make it, there’s still time to take action!
Send an email to the Federal government demanding a re-investment in social housing! Together, we can win real change!
Calgary, AB
Alberta ACORN met up in Central Memorial Park for ACORN Canada’s National Day of Action to launch emergency demands while Canada is held under economic threat by the United States. Alberta is a province in Canada with very limited protections for tenants. Members are taking this into their own hands, and gathered petition signatures and support from people in the area for ACORN’s demands, including a nationally implemented rent control!
Dartmouth, NS
ACORN members in Dartmouth took to Highfield for a flyering campaign as part of the National Day of Action on Affordable Housing. The event saw support from NDP federal candidate Keith Morrison and other allies joining members to help spread awareness and gather support for ACORN’s National Housing Demands.
Fredericton, NB
ACORN New Brunswick members, including chair Nichola Taylor, took to the streets of Fredericton, ensuring that their community knows ACORN is fighting for their rights! Members read out ACORN’s platform to passersby, engaged in discussions with a Federal NDP candidate for the area, and received enthusiastic support from the public—many drivers even shouted from their cars in support!
Hamilton, ON
ACORN Hamilton gathered in downtown Gore Park. Our member Kayla kicked off the event by reading ACORN’s demands and energizing the crowd before setting up a home base table for petitioning and flyering! With 30 ACORN members in attendance—and many more passersby stopping to sign the petition—the event was a strong show of support for affordable housing and showed how Hamilton continues to lead the way in fighting back against political inaction!
London, ON
London ACORN gathered in front of Covent Garden Market for a petition party! Carling-Stoneybrook Chair Jordan Smith kicked off the event with a brief tutorial on petitioning for new members before everyone split into pairs to collect signatures in support of ACORN’s National Housing Demands! The response was overwhelming, with one signature gathered every minute we were on the streets! Members moved at lightning speed, securing community support and keeping energy high!
Mississauga, ON
ACORN leaders in Mississauga successfully organized a petitioning blitz in Cooksville, with five members hitting the streets to gather support for ACORN’s National Housing Demands. While there are no photos this time, the team distributed an impressive 500 flyers!! Ensuring the message reached hundreds of residents in Peel region.
Moncton, NB
ACORN members in Moncton drew media coverage and strong support from union allies. Serge Landry, a representative from the Canadian Labour Congress and the NDP candidate in Moncton, was in attendance. NB ACORN Co-Chair Peter Jongeneelen delivered a speech to our members and lead a chant demanding public housing. The rally also featured a powerful poem written by one of our members, blending art and action!
“HEY HEY | DON’T DELAY | BUILD PUBLIC HOUSING TODAY“
Ottawa, ON
After a radio interview in the morning, ACORN leader Patrick Laplante rallied a group of members before heading into the neighborhood to flyer and petition. The action took place in a community predominantly owned by Hazelview, a landlord with a history of mass evictions in Ottawa. Members split into pairs and canvassed the area, gathering strong support for ACORN’s National Housing Demands, and seeing how they could assist the community.
Surrey, BC
BC ACORN members braved the rain and gathered in front of Main Street Estates. National Board Representative Gary Rodden kicked off the event with an inspiring speech before members marched up and down the block, chanting and handing out flyers to passersby. The march drew strong community support, with honks of approval from passing cars and interest from pedestrians. To continue spreading the message, members headed to a nearby shopping mall to distribute more flyers and collect petition signatures!
Toronto, ON
Toronto ACORN gathered at Main Square, where leaders spoke about todays announcement of $2.55 billion in federal funding allocated to the City of Toronto for rentals and emphasized that investments need to go to tenants, not developers. Members marched to the office of Nate Erskine-Smith, MP and Housing Minister, to deliver ACORN’s platform. Erskine-Smith came outside to meet with our leaders, where he accepted our demands and heard our concerns in person!
