New return-to-office mandate for federal public servants kicks off as unions prepare telework campaign
As federal public servants return to the office three days a week, the battle over remote work will head to full court hearings.
Cabinet retreat policy announcements show Liberals ‘waking up,’ but lack ‘unique vision,’ says pollster
A day-one housing announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shows the Conservatives have been ‘beating the Liberals over their head’ on that issue, says former Tory staffer Shakir Chambers.
Feds’ Green Buildings Strategy a good start—but more is needed
Without greater investment and a holistic, community-centred approach focused on reducing energy bills, the new program won’t go far enough in solving the needs of low-income households across Canada.
While the feds consult on renters’ rights, a demo-viction is taking place down the street from the Hill
If federal officials want to draft a Renters’ Bill of Rights with some teeth, all they have to do is walk down Bank Street and speak with organized tenants who are mobilizing their community and mounting opposition to yet another demoviction. They’ll know what that bill must include.
Making tenants’ voices central to housing and climate crisis
Decarbonization needs to be linked to housing justice. All levels of government should ensure that funding for retrofits include affordability and anti-eviction pacts; energy efficiency and mechanical cooling measures; and cover all rental types.
National Housing Council’s missed opportunity
The Council decided not to hold financialized landlords accountable, resorting to a well-intentioned, but misguided comparison to the health-care system.
National housing review panel says housing, like health care, should be universal
A review panel studying the financialization of rental housing is calling for national consensus protections for renters, and more funding for non-market housing to match other OECD countries
The housing crisis and the municipal heritage of Canadian nationalism
There’s a paradoxical relation between continental geography and municipal culture in defining Canada: the capacity for being a multi-national federation is linked to a national culture rooted in municipal loyalties.
Federal government ‘ghosted’ civil society on REIT tax treatment decision: housing advocates
The REIT structure is a ‘democratization of real estate investment,’ not a tax loophole, says CAPREIT’s Larry Greer.
Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind
It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.
