Across the country, securing an affordable place to live has become one of the biggest challenges facing young Canadians. In response to this urgent issue, today, Braedon Clark, Member of Parliament for Sackville–Bedford–Preston, introduced a private Member’s bill that, if passed, would create a National Strategy on Housing for Young Canadians.

The strategy is designed to address the unique challenges young Canadians are facing in today’s housing market and positions the federal government to take a leading role in building practical, lasting solutions with partners across the country.

Whether it’s renting, securing student accommodations, or saving for a first home, the path to housing has become increasingly difficult for young Canadians. Without secure housing, it’s harder for young people to study, work, and plan their futures. These challenges ripple across the economy and affect all Canadians.

The strategy will cover a broad range of housing needs for young Canadians, including rental apartments, student housing, co-operatives, and entry-level homeownership.

Bill C-227 will be debated in the House of Commons this fall.

Braedon Clark has been an advocate for affordable housing throughout his career in public office. Bill C-227 was inspired, in part, by a similar bill Mr. Clark introduced to the Nova Scotia Legislature during his time as a provincial MLA, Bill 221.

Quotes

“Access to affordable housing is the foundation for opportunity, yet today, young Canadians are being priced out, locked out, and forced to compromise their futures. My private Member’s bill is focused on addressing this urgent challenge. Young Canadians can’t build a life for themselves if they can’t afford a place to live, and the ripple effects will threaten the entire Canadian economy. By acting now, we can ensure Canada remains a place where young people can build a successful life.”
– Braedon Clark, Member of Parliament for Sackville–Bedford–Preston

“The housing crisis does not affect every Canadian the same. We know that the last few years have been particularly difficult for younger Canadians. Rising costs, economic uncertainty, and a tight housing market have all stacked up to make the dream of homeownership unattainable for this group of important Canadians, and made day to day housing costs a point of distress. If we are going to implement solutions, we need to better understand the problem. AHANS welcomes this initiative to understand the root causes of how the crisis is impacting our youth, and present a strategy that can bring back some confidence for young Canadians seeking to climb the housing ladder.”
– Michael Kabalen, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia

“Hard work no longer pays off for young people today the way it did for previous generations. With housing costs rising far faster than earnings, too many young people are locked out of the housing market as owners or renters. A National Strategy on Housing for Young Canadians would draw attention to the disproportionate hardship faced by young people in Canada’s housing system, and create space to talk about the systems-wide solutions we need. For over a decade, Generation Squeeze has been calling on governments across Canada to act, and we welcome the leadership of MP Braedon Clark in introducing this Private Member’s Bill. We urge MPs from all parties to support the Bill to help reverse the deteriorating wellbeing of young Canadians, and restore their fading dreams for secure and affordable housing.”
– Dr. Paul Kershaw, Founder, Generation Squeeze and UBC policy professor, School of Population and Public Health

-30-

Media Contact
Chandler White
Senior Communications Advisor
chandler.white.137@parl.gc.ca
902-943-9519