Housing on the Hill Day 2023

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Housing on the Hill Day is an annual event organized by CHRA that facilitates meetings between housing professionals and Members of Parliament to discuss issues of importance to the social and non-profit housing sector.

This year, we’re excited to join CHRA members, housing professionals, and sector partners on the heels of National Housing Day to advocate for a “Team Canada” approach to solving the housing crisis.

Attendees will meet with MPs throughout the day while we offer ongoing programming at the Delta Hotel including:

  • an all-party political panel that will provide insight into the parties' views on addressing the housing crisis
  • results from our econometric study on affordable housing and the Canadian economy
  • a session on urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing, and more!

We’re also offering an in-person advocacy training session on Monday, November 27. Add this event to your registration and learn effective advocacy strategies and how to make the most of your MP meetings. Attendees will also be invited to a free meet and greet event at the Rabbit Hole on the evening of Monday, November 27 to meet their advocacy teams.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from senior national housing leaders and officials and engage in discussions directly with federal elected officials on the issues that matter to you and the community housing sector at large.

 

Registration

Housing on the Hill Day (November 28)

CHRA members: $375*

Non-members: $750*

In-person advocacy training (November 27)

CHRA members: $65*

Non-members: $95*

*plus HST

Register now

Book your hotel

We have secured a special rate for attendees at Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre. This rate is available Monday, November 27 through Wednesday, November 29.

Book your room by October 26: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1692037063617&key=GRP&app=resvlink.

 

See photos from the 2022 event.

 

Questions? Contact CHRA's Director, Programs, Partnerships, and Events, Julie McNamara at jmcnamara@chra-achru.ca.

Tentative Agenda

Time/Day (EDT) Session Description
Monday, November 27 2:30-4:30pm Preparing for Your MP Meetings: Politics, policymaking, and advocating for housing policy change with CHRA’s Director of Policy & Government Relations Whether you work for a housing provider, a sector association, or in government, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be an advocate for meaningful housing policy change. Register for this session and build knowledge and skills to help you understand: 1. The state of housing policy and how it is situated in Canada’s federal political environment; 2. Key federal housing policy gaps and how to advocate for change; 3. How to conduct an effective meeting with Members of Parliament and their staff regardless of their political stripe; and 4. Other tips, tricks, and considerations for the future of housing policy in Canada.
5:00-7:00pm Social event Get to know your team
Tuesday, November 28 7:30-8:15am Breakfast, registration desk open
8:00-8:30am Welcome Welcoming remarks, Elder greeting, MP meetings begin
8:30-9:00am Address from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities* Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser was appointed to his current position in July 2023. Hear from the Minister about the work his government is undertaking to ensure everyone in Canada has a place to call home. *The timing of this session is subject to change depending upon the Minister’s availability
9:00-10:00am “Power and Politics” Political Panel Canada is facing an uncertain future when it comes to federal housing policy. Since the creation of the National Housing Strategy in 2017, interest rates have risen significantly, construction and labour costs have increased, and federal funding to support the creation and renewal of affordable housing has decreased. What’s more, there is a strong possibility of a change in government over the next year, which presents new opportunities and threats in our work to end the housing crisis. What’s in the future for federal housing policy in Canada? Members of Parliament from the major national political parties will be joining Housing on the Hill delegates to discuss and debate the federal government’s role in addressing Canada’s housing crisis.
10:00-10:45am Coffee break
10:45-11:45am Community Housing: An economic necessity CHRA members understand that more public policy action is needed to meet the growing demand for community housing across the country. At the same time, the Canadian economy is facing a growing productivity problem, which is related to the dire state of housing affordability across the country. This year, CHRA and Housing Partnership Canada commissioned a study to quantify the relationship between community housing and economic productivity. The findings of this study will be a cornerstone for CHRA’s advocacy initiative to make a strong economic justification for Canadian governments to enact or change policies and programs that will increase Canada’s community housing stock and restore housing affordability across the country. In this session, we’ll unpack the findings of the study and explain the implications for sector advocacy.
11:45am-1:00pm Lunch
1:00-2:30pm Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing: Progress and possibility A fully funded for-Indigenous, by-Indigenous urban, rural, and northern housing strategy has been and continues to be top priority for CHRA, with the Indigenous Caucus at CHRA having played a key role in establishing the National Indigenous Housing Collaborative Incorporated (NICHI) over the last year. The Government of Canada has committed $4 billion over seven years to support Indigenous-led housing projects, but researchers and Indigenous leaders agree that at least $40 billion is needed annually to address needs. Hear from Indigenous leaders on progress, the current situation, and next steps.
2:30-3:00pm Coffee break
3:00-4:00pm Working Together to Fix a Broken System CHRA works in collaboration with partners from across the broader housing system. Join representatives from the Vote Housing Coalition, the National Housing Accord, and the National Right to Housing Network as they discuss solutions, opportunities over the next year, political strategy, and emerging opportunities.
4:00-5:00pm Policy and Advocacy Roundtable Affordable Housing is a top issue on Parliament Hill. What did you hear in your Housing on the Hill meetings, and where do we go next? Debrief with other delegates in this interactive workshop on policy and advocacy opportunities.
5:30-7:30pm Social event