The City of New Westminster is joining Canadian municipalities in demanding action on a national housing strategy.
City council has endorsed a resolution by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which has launched a Fixing Canada’s Housing Crunch campaign. It’s calling on the federal government to increase housing options for Canadians and to work with all levels of government to develop a long-term plan for Canada’s housing future.
“We will be lobbying the federal government,” said Coun. Lorrie Williams, a director with the federation. “We will be pushing for a national housing strategy for all Canadians.”
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said there is a housing is a crisis in Canada, with some people who work full-time being unable to afford housing. He said it’s “shameful” that senior levels of government abandoned a national housing policy in Canada.
“It’s a no brainer,” he said. “All industrialized countries do it, except us.”
The motion approved by council endorses the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ housing campaign and urges the federal government to develop a long-term plan for housing that protects Canadians from the planned expiry of $1.7 billion in social housing agreements.
