New Brunswickers will head to the polls on September 24 for the province’s general election. The co-op housing movement’s strongest asset is people and it’s critically important that we speak out and get out the vote!
During this provincial election, housing co-ops are asking for two things:
- Protect by continuing subsidies to low-income co-op members using funds from the National Housing Strategy. The National Housing Strategy introduced the Canada Community Housing Initiative which set aside $4.3 billion for provinces to protect and grow community housing, including co-ops. New Brunswick has signed a bilateral agreement with the federal government and whoever is elected will have access to the province’s share of funds. We are asking politicians to commit to protecting subsidies to low-income co-op households using these funds.
- Build new affordable housing for seniors. New Brunswick is experiencing a shortage of affordable housing options for its aging population. Housing co-ops have committed to aging-in-place policies, but more homes are needed to accommodate the growing need. Parties and candidates running in the provincial election should commit to working with the co-op housing sector to build new permanently-affordable, community-oriented co-op homes.
Please ask your local candidates:
- Will you protect assistance to low-income co-op members?
- What will you do to help us build new affordable homes for seniors?
Please consider these issues when voting and please be sure to vote and encourage fellow co-op members to cast their vote. Here’s how to find out your provincial riding and where to vote.
If you have any questions, please call CHF Canada’s Atlantic office at 902-423-7119 email:
- Karen Brodeur, Program Manager, Co-op Services (Atlantic) kbrodeur@chfcanada.coop
- Cathy Volans, Co-ordinator, Co-op Services (Atlantic) cvolans@chfcanada.coop