Federal, Provincial and Territorial Housing Ministers

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing met today to discuss key priorities for housing in Canada.

Ministers agreed to move forward with a renewed federal, provincial and territorial collaboration in housing based on integrity, openness and respect. Ministers discussed the development of a National Housing Strategy and agreed that a long term vision is essential for meeting the housing needs of Canadians.

• All Canadians have access to housing that meets their needs and that they can afford. Housing is the cornerstone of building sustainable, inclusive communities and a strong Canadian economy where we can prosper and thrive.

A National Housing Strategy to achieve positive outcomes for Canadians requires collaboration among many partners. Federal, provincial and territorial collaboration will:

• recognize and respect each other’s specific roles and responsibilities;
• build upon and complement provincial and territorial strategies; and
• recognize that flexibility and sustainability are required to address the varied housing challenges, including those facing Indigenous people and Canada’s North.

Canadians will be able to have their say online and through other consultations on a National Housing Strategy. Roundtable discussions with Indigenous and other communities, key stakeholders and housing experts will be convened by CMHC in the summer and early fall. Feedback from the consultations will be brought back to ministers when they meet again in the fall.   

Quotes

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation –

“The National Housing Strategy will build on existing collaboration between federal, provincial and territorial governments and seek to achieve better housing outcomes for Canadians. We are eager to start consulting Canadians on a long-term strategy for housing in Canada.”

The Honourable Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Housing, Government of British Columbia –

“We are pleased that the federal government recognizes the provinces and territories as primary partners in housing. Our renewed collaboration will strengthen and support the work provinces and territories are already doing to achieve positive housing outcomes for our citizens.  Working together to develop a National Housing Strategy will help reach our shared goal of making sure all Canadians have access to housing that is safe and affordable.”

*While it shares a number of objectives with the other governments in the area of housing, the province of Quebec indicated that it did not intend at this stage to sign on to a National Housing Strategy, but would participate in working toward the development of such a strategy with a view to sharing information.

Related links:

• Let’s Talk Housing: https://www.letstalkhousing.ca