This Election Guide provides a non-partisan, independent, research-based analysis of the housing/homelessness platforms of the four major parties for the 2015 federal election in Canada.
This analysis is based on the recommendations stemming from the State of Homelessness in Canada 2014 report and provides important information to help voters make an informed decision.
NEW: The New Democratic Party of Canada platform analysis has been recently updated.
This federal election, let’s make housing a priority and vote housing for all
Homelessness has grown to be a large problem in Canada, right about the time that the federal government’s investment in affordable housing declined. Over the last 25 years investments have declined by over 46%, from $115 to $60 annually per Canadian. Today, over 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a year and nearly 1 in 5 households are facing extreme housing affordability issues. In a country as prosperous as Canada, with a broadly shared and strong commitment to social justice, there is no need to accept or tolerate the experiences of poverty, hardship and homelessness. If federal investment in affordable housing increases to just $106 annually per Canadian, an increase of only 88 cents per person weekly, we can see an end to chronic homelessness and help others who are on the brink of becoming homeless.
1. RECOMMENDATIONS – how can we end homelessness
2. PARTY PLATFORMS – make an informed decision
3. SHARE THIS MESSAGE – let others know about these issues
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is a non-profit, non-partisan research institute that is committed to conducting research and mobilizing knowledge about evidence-based solutions to homelessness. The COH’s main source of funding is the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada.