July 3, 2015
Hon. Ted McMeekin
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
17th Floor College Park
777 Bay St
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
Dear Minister McMeekin,
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update.
Your consultation guide appropriately recognizes that an updated Affordable Housing Strategy should support the diverse needs of Ontarians including Indigenous peoples, survivors of domestic violence, youth leaving care, seniors and people with disabilities. We agree with the proposed update to the Strategy’s vision that every person has an affordable, suitable and adequate home.
Over the past several years, the OHRC has undertaken community consultations, public inquiries and litigation, and has prepared policies and reports addressing the right to housing, with an emphasis on rental housing, affordable housing, and the situation of Indigenous communities and people with mental health and addiction disabilities. Related concerns include the discriminatory effect that municipal land use planning and housing licensing can have on people with disabilities and others protected under Ontario’s Human Rights Code, because it can limit access to affordable and supportive housing. Our attached submission provides more details and recommendations.
We welcome further opportunity to discuss our views.
Sincerely,
Ruth Goba, Hon. BA, LLB
Interim Chief Commissioner
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Copy: Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General of Ontario