MP Blaney Re-introduces Right to Housing Bill

Today in Ottawa, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney tabled a private Member’s bill C-207 to amend the Canadian Bill of Rights to include the right to appropriate and affordable housing for all Canadians.

In her introductory remarks Blaney said the bill would “ensure that the right to housing is firmly recognized as law. It would redefine the federal framework for housing legislation and would set a requirement for the Minister of Justice to ensure every regulation change is consistent with the right.”

Blaney previously introduced the same bill in 2016 but it was defeated by Liberal and Conservative MPs. Since that time housing affordability has gone from bad to worse in many communities across Canada, in particular on the west coast. In much of Blaney’s riding the price of an average home has doubled, while rental vacancy rates are near 1%, and homeless populations grow.

“The Liberals have agreed in their National Housing Strategy that housing is a basic human right, but we’re not seeing any action or accountability in our communities where it matters. Putting it in the Bill of Rights sets a requirement, and allows laws to be challenged in court if they are failing to meet that requirement.” -MP Rachel Blaney

The bill was seconded by NDP Critic for Housing and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan.

Video: Blaney introduces bill c-207