|
|
October 12th, 2005
Money-back guarantee needed for recycled housing promises. . .
The Ontario Speech from the Throne,
delivered this afternoon, recycles the same old federal-provincial housing
announcement (this adds up to the 12th time that the province has
recycled this announcement). Here are the words from the Throne Speech:
* * *
"At the same time, your government continues to work with the federal
government on Ontarians' priorities. For example, your government will be
implementing a new housing agreement that will provide 15,000 affordable units
and up to 5,000 housing allowances for low-income households,
including people recovering from mental illness, victims of domestic violence
and people in remote communities."
* * *
Reality check: At least 5,000 of those so-called affordable units are ownership
(and the current proposal requires a household income of $60,000 to qualify).
These units just keep getting re-announced again and again, with very few
actually being built.
There was no mention of the McGuinty government's promise to repeal the Harris
government's Tenant Protection Act (which gutted rent regulation and tenant
protection laws in Ontario) and replace it with effective tenant protection
legislation.
The only guffaw during the Speech (and the government certainly didn't intend
this) came when the government announced what it called "the first money back
public service guarantee in North America. Later this year, Ontarians who fill
out birth certificate applications online will get their certificate within 15
days -- or they will get their money back."
Homeless people, low-income tenants and housing advocates should pick up this
theme: We want a money-back guarantee on the McGuinty government's much-repeated
but much-delayed housing promises. Either give us the homes that have been
promised time and time again, or give us the money and we'll get the work done.
- Michael
* * * * * * * * * *
Michael Shapcott, Research Co-ordinator
One Percent Solution research, education and action project
Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
**********************************
1% 1% 1% 1% 1%....
For more information and to endorse the 1 % Solution, visit our website at
www.tdrc.net
Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) 6 Trinity
Square, Toronto, ON M5G 1B1
Phone: 416-599-8372 Fax: 416-599-5445
EMAIL:
tdrc@tdrc.net WEBSITE:
www.tdrc.net