MP tables bill
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney tabled a private-member bill in the House of Commons on Monday, December 5. If supported, Blaney’s bill will enshrine the right to housing in the Canadian Bill of Rights.
According to a statement from Blaney, the proposed legislation will bring federal law in line with Canada’s international treaties and put more pressure of governments to invest in affordable housing.
“For too long, successive governments have failed to ensure every Canadian has a roof over their head,” stated Blaney in a media release. “Across the country, people are struggling to find proper housing for a reasonable cost. The impacts of this are often downloaded onto municipalities that face the challenges with their community members daily. The federal government must do its fair share.”
Rights to housing have been supported in Canada’s international treaties since 1976, but parliament has not passed legislation affirming those rights.
The bill will be up for debate in the new year.
Farmers unify
A merger of Powell River and District Agricultural Association and Powell River Farmers’ Institute will be finalized at an annual general meeting in February. Members of the agricultural association met Tuesday, December 6, to vote on a merger with the farmers’ institute. Agricultural association president Gary de Casmaker said the results were unanimous among voters. That result, combined with the positive response from institute members last May, means the merged organization will elect an executive at the February meeting.
