BILL C-304 SUPPORTED BY THREE POLITICAL PARTIES IN COMMONS
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The Third reading debate on Bill C-304, the draft legislation to create a national housing plan for Canada, began in Ottawa on Wednesday evening, October 20th in Parliament. Three of the four political parties in the Commons have pledged their support.
Bill C-304 calls on the federal government, in partnership with the provinces, the territories, first nations, municipalities and stakeholders, to develop a strategy to develop a national housing plan. The sponsor of the bill, Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, told MPs that the bill "is very straightforward and clear."
"It calls on the federal government, in partnership with the provinces, the territories, first nations, municipalities and stakeholders, to develop a strategy that could take us forward and move us into a situation where we have a real plan with objectives, targets, outcomes, and deliverables," she said. "That is why so many people have signed on in support of this bill."
Bill C-304 had hit an apparent obstacle in the process that threatened to derail it before the third reading debate. It had to do with an amendment to the bill, sponsored by the Bloc, that would have allowed Quebec to opt-out of C-304. The amendment, however, was overruled by the Speaker and that put the Bloc MPs support in jeopardy.
A concerted effort to continue to work closely with the Bloc despite the ruling kept the bill moving forward. It was agreed finally to send the bill back to committee to consider further amendments with regard to provincial jurisdiction. There has been a willingness on the part of all parties to find a solution as well as support from organizations in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
The Wellesley Institute's Precarious Housing in Canada 2010 sets out a detailed analysis of housing need across Canada, and makes pragmatic recommendations about the components of a new national housing plan. Our Canadian housing e-map provides information on more than 160 housing and homelessness initiatives across the country. The bill returns for more third reading debate, and is expected to be referred back to committee for an amendment to secure Bloc support. Once it passes third reading, then it moves to the Senate which earlier this year unanimously adopted the In From the Margins report that calls for a national housing plan.
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