Housing and Human Rights

Last week I attended a seminar on rental housing and human rights sponsored by the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) and Amnesty International Canada. Along with Leilani Farha from CERA and Alain Roy from Amnesty, speakers included Barbara Hall, the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), and Cherie Robertson, policy analyst with the Commission. The room was jammed to capacity with representatives from housing NGOs, legal clinic staff and human rights activists.

In this seminar, Hall and Robertson outlined new policies and codes within the OHRC regarding discrimination in housing. The code emphasizes that everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, physical or economic status has the right to housing.

The new Policy on Human Rights and Rental Housing, developed last year, is really nothing new. It is based on policies that have long governed human rights commissions in Canada. What it provides is all the information on housing discrimination issues in one document, making it easier for education on topics of human rights and housing, so tenants and landlords are well aware of their rights and responsibilities.

The new housing policy is based on the Ontario Human Rights Code against discrimination in housing. The role of the Commission is to illuminate this law so everyone understands their rights and responsibilities under the law. But there is no law protecting the right to access affordable housing in Canada, despite international laws and standards, like the Convention on Economic and Social and Cultural Rights, to which Canada is a signatory.

Currently there is a Private Members Bill (C-304) before Parliament calling on the federal government to begin formal talks with the provinces about developing a national housing strategy. Such a strategy would be in accordance to international standards for ensuring that everyone has access to housing. Bill C-304 has passed Second Reading, committee amendments and is ready for Third Reading.

The process has been delayed because it is supported by the NDP and Liberals, but without the support from some of the members from the Bloc or Conservative parties (at least 40 if all members are present for the vote) the Bill will be defeated.

One of the first subheadings in the OHRC’s policy reads, “Housing is a human right.” The section points to international standards and the issue of discrimination in housing. But this phrase also speaks to the importance of available and affordable housing for everyone.