Support a National Housing Strategy

We would like to bring to your attention Bill C304. A significantly enhanced version of the Secure, Adequate, Accessible and Affordable Housing Act was adopted at the HUMA Committee late on Thursday December 10th. It is appropriate that this Act was adopted on International Human Rights Day. It is an innovative and important piece of legislation “designed to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to adequate housing as guaranteed under international human rights treaties ratified by Canada ” The bill will be referred to parliament for third reading early in the next session. It currently has the support of the NDP, the Liberals and the Bloc.

Bill C-304 was introduced by Libby Davies (NDP, Vancouver East) and a number of groups and individuals did some great work with her to get the bill through second reading in parliament - a relatively rare feat for a private members bill - and referred to the HUMA Committee for hearings and amendments. At the HUMA Committee, we saw a minority parliament work the way it is supposed to. The bill was significantly improved with amendments from the Liberals, the NDP and the Bloc.

The Act now includes a strong commitment to the right to adequate housing and contains all of the key components of a rights based housing strategy recommended by various human rights bodies and by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing after his visit to Canada.

Please sign Libby Davies’ petition (see attached) today and pass on to everyone you know. By signing this petition you exemplify our Membership motto “Strength in Numbers” and stand behind our mission “To assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self-reliance and full community participation”. Let your voice be heard. We want our vote to count, to make a difference; support this national housing strategy to achieve equality for all Canadian citizens. Also, attached is our letter of support to Ms. Davies.

http://www.libbydavies.ca/blog/2009/09/02/petition-libbys-national-housing-strategy-bill-c-304

http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/bills.asp?Language=E%26Parl=40%26Ses=2