Canada Has No National Housing Strategy

[maplesyrup]

Canada, to its shame, is the only country in the industralized world to not have a national housing program.

This is really quite inhumane, especially to the homeless, as we live in a harsh cold climate during wintertime.

I know the NDP, when it obtains power, will immediately implement such a program, but presently Canada's housing situation is a national disgrace.

[Choke]

You realize this is an area of provincial jurisdiction and that the provinces DO have housing programs, right? Making your entire point moot.

Furthermore, homeless people can go to hell, welfare is there for a reason. The only economic reason for homelessness is either living in a city with rent that's too high (living beyond your means...stupid) or a drug problem (also stupid), other than that, you CAN live on welfare and afford a roof over your head.

[ndpnic]

You realize this is an area of provincial jurisdiction and that the provinces DO have housing programs, right? Making your entire point moot.

Furthermore, homeless people can go to hell, welfare is there for a reason. The only economic reason for homelessness is either living in a city with rent that's too high (living beyond your means...stupid) or a drug problem (also stupid), other than that, you CAN live on welfare and afford a roof over your head.

Housing in Canada, because of our climate, is a FEDERAL issue because it affects EVERY SINGLE Canadian!

There are a lot of catch-22's in the present welfare system wich prevents needy people from being able to collect benefits. If u loose your wallet for example, and have no ID, there is not access to welfare, shelters,etc.

Your comments Choke, make me cringe at their Ignorant, Uninformed and Elitest tone! I am ashamed to call you a fellow Canadian!!

Not all homeless are lazy, materialistic drug addicts!!!

The average Canadian fam is 2 paychecks from homelessness. Have you ever bothered to check the stats, or go around where ever u live to see how the other side lives? Ever heard their stories?

Or are your views narrow minded due to lack of knowlege and understanding of other ways of life other than your own?

[Choke]

Housing in Canada, because of our climate, is a FEDERAL issue because it affects EVERY SINGLE Canadian!

Mabye you need to study what federal jurisdiction and provincial jurisdiction mean. We have laws that define these things.

There are a lot of catch-22's in the present welfare system wich prevents needy people from being able to collect benefits. If u loose your wallet for example, and have no ID, there is not access to welfare, shelters,etc.

There is also lots of welfare fraud...some innocent people get caught in the crossfire, but they should blame those that defraud the government. Do you know how easy it is already to commit welfare fraud? You know how much easier it would be if you didn't need any ID? (For this one consider how many welfare offices there are in a given urban centre and multiply that number by the amount of welfare check and you have one day's earning for someone looking to commit fraud)

Not all homeless are lazy, materialistic drug addicts!!!

That's a matter for debate, I've known a few and they certainly were.

The average Canadian fam is 2 paychecks from homelessness.

The average Canadian family is not in danger of losing it's source of income in the next month, so I'd say that's BS.

Have you ever bothered to check the stats, or go around where ever u live to see how the other side lives? Ever heard their stories?

Yes, in fact, I AM the other side, I've lived on LESS money than welfare recipients recieve and I still had disposable income and I was never in danger of becoming homeless.

Or are your views narrow minded due to lack of knowlege and understanding of other ways of life other than your own?

Actually my views spring from having witnessed the way people on welfare live and comparing it to people who work for low wages...the low wage workers have it worse, but they still manage. I have sympathy for people between jobs for a month, but not indefinitely and not at taxpayer's (you know, the people who actually work?) expense.