Federal Housing Minister Nate Erskine-Smith has called on the Ontario government to intensify its efforts to address social housing needs across the province. Erskine-Smith made this appeal during a press conference in Ottawa, where he unveiled a significant two-year, $91 million agreement with several Canadian municipalities, including nine in Ontario, along with Regina and Saskatoon. The initiative aims to bolster the municipalities' encampment response plans. This agreement comes after the federal government found itself unable to reach consensus with the governments of Ontario and Saskatchewan, prompting direct deals with the municipalities.
The municipalities involved will match Ottawa's contributions, effectively doubling the financial support to address pressing social housing issues. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Erskine-Smith remarked on the need for immediate support as winter approaches. He emphasized that temporary solutions, such as shelter beds, do not provide the long-term stability required to tackle homelessness.
"We need community housing if we want a long-term solution. A shelter bed just doesn’t offer the stability we all need." – Nate Erskine-Smith
The agreement marks Erskine-Smith's first major announcement since assuming the housing portfolio last month. The minister criticized Ontario's approach to social housing, pointing out that while the province has increased support for the homeless, it has simultaneously reduced funding for community housing by an equivalent amount.
"As we’ve ramped up federal spending on community and social housing, the Ontario government has seen fit to reduce its own commitments in this space." – Nate Erskine-Smith
"Ontario is the only province — the only province — where responsibility for social housing has been downloaded to municipalities." – Nate Erskine-Smith
This strategy reflects a broader federal initiative, with similar agreements already reached with all other provinces and territories. Details of these agreements will be disclosed in the coming weeks. A comparable deal worth $6.4 million was reached with the City of London in December.
Erskine-Smith expressed hope that further collaboration with Ontario could be achieved, citing past discussions with Ontario's minister as being initially positive but ultimately unfruitful.
"I did speak with the minister in Ontario, and he indicated there was always a willingness in reaching a deal, and things went sideways for one reason or another." – Nate Erskine-Smith
The pressing need for timely action was underscored by Erskine-Smith's remarks on the impending winter season and the necessity for rapid deployment of resources.
"Obviously, timeliness was a consideration here. When winter’s coming, you gotta make sure you’re delivering all the supports you need in a real short period of time." – Nate Erskine-Smith
