National Resolution 2: 2019 Federal Election Campaign

 RESOLUTION 2

 SUBMITTED BY: CHF Canada Board of Directors

CONTACT:
Tim Ross
Executive Director
311 – 225 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON   K2P 1P9
Tel: (800) 465-2752
Email: tross@chfcanada.coop

This resolution is for the meeting of:
✓  All CHF Canada members
Ontario Members

2019 Federal Election Campaign

WE RESOLVE:

1. THAT CHF Canada develop and implement the 2019 federal election campaign to promote and build co-operative housing;
2. THAT in the campaign we call on all political parties to commit to:

• finalizing the long-term solution to protecting low income members in federal housing co-ops; and
• partnering with CHF Canada, co-ops and communities to build more permanently affordable co-op housing across Canada;

3. AND THAT leading up to the federal election co-ops across Canada work closely with CHF Canada and regional federations to ensure that candidates of major political parties know the benefits of the co-operative housing model and the value they add to communities across the country.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

1. In the 2015 federal election, the incoming government committed to creating a long-term solution to protect vulnerable households in federal housing co-ops and continue their rental assistance in response to the You Hold the Key
2. While a 10-year solution extending to 2028 was funded in the National Housing Strategy at the time of writing this resolution, co-ops have yet to receive details of the finalized deal.
3. It is difficult for co-ops to focus on growth of our movement while there is uncertainty about long-term rental assistance for low-income members.
4. The 2019 federal election will take place on Monday October 21, 2019. If a solution is not in place by the time of the AGM, we are calling on all parties to protect low-income households in our communities.
5. There is a housing crisis across Canada, we should be focused on building more affordable co-op homes, not losing existing units.
6. Co-ops create vibrant communities where all families can find a place to call home they can afford, and put down roots.
7. Every day in the media we hear about how Canada’s housing system is not working as it should. Close to 3.3 million Canadians are experiencing core housing need. Almost 1 in 5 renter households pay more than 50% of their income on rent and upwards of 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness every year.
8. Young people and new immigrants are struggling to get ahead while in many communities like Toronto and Vancouver it would take the average person over 15 years to save for a down payment.
9. Seniors on fixed incomes are having to choose between putting food on their table and paying their rent.
10. By partnering with co-ops the next federal government can help spark the development of permanently affordable housing communities for Canadians.
11. We know that the lack of affordable housing is top of mind for many Canadians. According to recent polling, housing affordability is the top issue millennials want governments to tackle, but it’s not just millennials that are feeling the squeeze.
12. The 2019 federal election is an opportunity to gain support for a new wave of co-op housing development.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Funding for CHF Canada’s government relations and lobbying activities have been included in the 2019 operating budgets.