On Wednesday, December 9, Leah Gazan is introducing a Unanimous Consent motion in the House calling for more to be done to address Canada's housing crisis. This is an opportunity for Parliament to commit to protecting the human right to housing at a time when this is needed more than ever.
The motion reads as follows:
That, given that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted people who are homeless or unhoused, the House call upon the government to:
- recognize that people who are homeless and unhoused, many of whom are Indigenous Peoples, seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income people, do not have the resources to fully practice the necessary public health measures as recommended by federal, provincial and territorial officials on how to stay safe during this pandemic;
- make substantive investments in both long-term and short-term programs including low barrier shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for those who are chronically unhoused;
- put in place an Urban Indigenous housing strategy led by Indigenous peoples, and;
- increase funding for NGOs who help individuals needing to self-isolate due to COVID-19, including by providing mental health supports, addictions services, meal programs and other measures.
Please sign to support the motion and send a strong message to Parliament!