Housing

Discussion will focus on the need for a national campaign for affordable housing

VICTORIA – New Democrat MP Denise Savoie will hold a housing roundtable with community stakeholders in Victoria, Wednesday, July 7th to discuss the need for affordable housing and federal support for a national housing strategy.

Hansard – (2010/6/17)

Ms. Denise Savoie (Victoria, NDP) :
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-549, An Act to amend the National Housing Act (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's retained earnings).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill that would harness CMHC's $2 billion annual surplus to the goal of sheltering Canadians, a goal from which CMHC has strayed over the years.

This bill would amend section 21 of the National Housing Act, requiring CMHC's unappropriated retained earnings to be transferred to provinces to provide housing for low-income households.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA – Canadian film and television icon William Shatner has thrown his support behind New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly’s efforts to save British Columbia’s wild salmon.

"They face many threats, including sea lice from fish farms. The federal government can't continue to ignore the plight of wild salmon. We must do everything possible to ensure these magnificent creatures are protected, and Fin Donnelly’s proposed legislation helps do that.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present several petitions. The first two have been signed by about 200 residents who are asking the government to impose a moratorium on non-essential use of cosmetic pesticides until they are proven safe in the long term.

“The petitioners wish to prevent the kind of negative, endocrine-disrupting impacts that research is now showing atrazine to have. They ask the government to respect the precautionary principle to protect children's health and to pass Bill C-368.

FEDERAL BUDGET: CONSERVATIVES COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH WITH EVERYDAY REALITY OF CANADIANS AND COMMUNITIES
Federal budget puts Canada back on flawed track that led to recession: Savoie

OTTAWA – Victoria MP Denise Savoie today expressed astonishment that the federal Conservative government has tabled a budget that is completely out of touch with the everyday reality and priorities of Canadians and communities.

Dear Constituents,

As I reflect on my fourth year as Victoria’s MP, I remain very proud of our community – full of resilience and constructive energy in response to the challenges we face.

2009 has been unusually difficult for many among us. The recession hit hard at our jobs and our savings. The province responded with cutbacks to community groups and the HST. The federal stimulus plan was used more for partisan photo ops and bailing out obsolescent industries, and not enough on building a more sustainable or equitable new economy.

Honourable James Flaherty
Minister of Finance
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Re: Consultation on federal budget 2010 – Victoria, BC

Dear Minister,

I am writing to convey to you the results of extensive pre-budget consultations that I conducted in my riding during the month of November 2009.

#1 : Denise's climate change series
#2 : Libby Davies' housing bill
#3 : NDP Seniors' motion
#4 : Denise's commuter choices bill

Motion would require Triple Bottom Line assessment of federal property sales

OTTAWA – Victoria MP Denise Savoie today introduced a motion requiring that social, environmental and local-economic impacts are given full and equal consideration when the federal government sells or disposes of property.

“Under Liberal and Conservative governments there has been a fire sale of federal properties,” said Savoie. “Instead of selling out at the best immediate financial deal, I believe that respect for residents, communities and all Canadians dictates a more holistic, long-term view.”

Hon. Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6

Dear Minister:

Thank you for your response dated March 31, 2009, regarding the allocation of federal homelessness funding. I appreciate your clarification of the historic funding formula so that we may better understand how to improve the way the federal government addresses this critical social issue.