Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Housing

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A FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE HOUSING INITIATIVES IN CANADA BY THE PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL (P/T) MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSING

This Framework establishes a common set of principles agreed to by Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Housing that are intended to guide short-term and long-term housing initiatives in Canada.

The Framework is intended to build upon the success of the bi-lateral agreements which were based on the principles outlined in the Affordable Housing Framework agreed to by federal-provincial-territorial ministers in November 2001.

IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT:

                                                                                                                                                                                                               
A.
           		Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Housing agreed to an Affordable Housing Framework in November 2001.
B.
           
           		The Framework was intended to “establish common principles and parameters that will guide the development of bi-lateral agreements” between the Federal government and the Provinces and Territories.
C.
           
           		The framework and subsequent success in signing bilateral agreements has been fundamental to the recent advances made in the delivery and construction of affordable housing throughout Canada.
D.
           
           
           		While these bi-lateral agreements were considered to be short-term initiatives, they were recognized as an interim step which would provide a better understanding of housing needs across Canada. This understanding, along with the Framework and its principles, provide an excellent basis to proceed with addressing the need for long-term sustainable improvements to housing in Canada.
E.Reference to housing programs shall include the full continuum of housing.

THEREFORE, Provincial and Territorial governments agree that the following common principles should be used to guide short-term and long-term housing initiatives:

       
  1. Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments are committed to adequately housing their citizens as well as strengthening and renewing their publicly funded support for housing through partnerships and collaboration.
    2.    
  2. Provinces and Territories have responsibility for the design and delivery of housing policies and programs within their jurisdiction in order to address their own specific needs and priorities.
    3.    
  3. Provinces and Territories require flexibility in order to provide housing programs and policies which take into account regional priorities and which are responsive to changing demographics and needs in their jurisdictions.
    4.    
  4. Provinces and Territories must be involved in decisions related to federal funding allocations for housing and related programs. These allocations should recognise the state of housing and special needs of jurisdictions and not necessarily be based solely on population.
    5.    
  5. The Federal government is committed to increasing its financial contribution in order to provide adequate and predictable funding for the Provinces and Territories to ensure sustainability of housing initiatives.
    6.    
  6. Housing initiatives and programs should promote empowerment of Canadians to facilitate improvements regarding their housing circumstances.
    7.    
  7. Housing is an essential component of the health of individuals and for the development of sustainable communities.
    8.    
  8. It is recognized that one of the highest areas of need and challenge is in providing adequate housing for Aboriginal Canadians. It is through collaboration among governments that housing improvements for Aboriginal communities are possible. This collaboration would recognize the special relationship that Canada has with Aboriginal people.
    9.    
  9. Partnerships among federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, aboriginal organizations, residents and the private sector will strengthen housing conditions in Canada.
    10.    
  10. Federal funding for housing should be provided to provinces and territories as direct transfers, and should not require provinces and territories to cost-match or cost-share. Moreover, the federal funding should respect PT jurisdictions and priorities, be flexible in order to respond to their specific needs and situations and be agreed upon within bilateral agreements between the federal government and each concerned province or territory.
    11.    
  11. Nothing in this framework shall be construed to derogate from the respective governments’ jurisdictions.