ParkTales on housing

Already armed by previous knowledge and experience, canvassing in the current provincial elections campaign has reinforced my understanding of the dire lack of affordable housing there is in Toronto.

To quote from a 26 May article in The Toronto Star, "Canada is a signatory to the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognizes the right to adequate housing and commits the government to address homelessness and inadequate housing."

But government here has the audacity to claim that "housing is not a right".

Scandalous!

And yet none of the major parties in this provincial election are addressing this issue in a serious way.

There is an urgent need for affordable housing and immediate relief for tenants who are being charged outrageous rents by greedy landlords. There are no meaningful laws to stop unscrupulous landlords from gouging tenants.

The newly elected government should start by establishing meaningful rent controls, in fact a rent freeze. Start building affordable housing. There are condos going up everywhere but no affordable housing. Families are forced to double, even triple up in order to have a place to live.

Much attention in this election is being given to the "middle class". What about the under waged, the poor. and the homeless? They are a significant part of our society. Their needs must be addressed to bring them above the poverty line and into the main stream. Not to desperation and homelessness.

In this election we must make sure candidates address these issues. We must Stop Hudak and the Tories. If Hudak gets in he will give more "treats" to big corporations and the rich and take more services from the poor.

Stop Hudak and the Tories!

My Parkdale