Campbell River, BC – Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault are bringing "Today, Tomorrow, Together: The Green Leaders’ Tour" to Campbell River on Saturday, March 2nd. The tour stop in Campbell River will highlight the party's strong stance on addressing Canada's housing crisis. Newly re-appointed Deputy Leader Rainbow Eyes and Jessica Wegg, the party’s candidate for North Island-Powell River in the next federal election, will also speak at the event.
In the face of escalating housing challenges across the country, the Green Party has called on the federal government to make significant investments in housing. Specifically, the party's pre-budget submission to the federal government advocates for doubling Canada’s social housing stock. Greens also want the government to take action to ensure homes are places for people to live, not commodities for investors to trade.
Saturday’s event will be an opportunity to discuss the Green Party's solutions. This includes ending unfair tax exemptions for real estate investment trusts (REITs). According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, such a move could generate over $300 million in revenue over five years. These funds could be reinvested in creating affordable housing our communities desperately need.
Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, stated, “Our approach must be bold. It must recognize that there are really two crises that require different actions. One is the acute poverty crisis leading to increasing numbers of unhoused people living in encampments right across Canada. The other is also nationwide, a crisis of affordability for people seeking rental or ownership of their own homes. Our pre-budget submission lays out clear, actionable steps that the federal government can take to address both issues.”
Jonathan Pedneault, co-leader of the Green Party, added, "Affordable housing is a right, not a privilege. It's time for bold actions to ensure every Canadian has a place to call home. Our tour is about listening to peoples’ concerns and bringing them directly to Ottawa. We're committed to making housing affordability a reality for all."
"In Campbell River and across the country, Canadians are feeling the housing squeeze," said NIPR candidate Jessica Wegg. “The temporary supportive housing units that are opening in Campbell River this spring are one example of the range of innovative solutions that we need to be utilizing to address this crisis.”
The Campbell River event will be a town hall discussion. Community members can learn more about the Green Party's housing policies and talk about other issues of concern.
Event Details:
What: Today, Tomorrow, Together: The Green Leaders’ Tour
Where: Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River, BC
When: Saturday, March 2nd, 3:30-5:30pm
Admission: Free. Donations to support the Green Party are welcome.
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For more information:
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press Secretary, Green Party of Canada
514-463-0021