The Failure of Housing Co-op Oversight

 In Canada, housing co-operatives (co-ops) have been established as a solution to provide affordable housing. However, the oversight mechanisms intended to ensure their effective governance and management often fall short. This essay explores the challenges and shortcomings in the oversight of co-op housing, particularly focusing on the roles of various

Council Strikes Down Gower Brownfield Land Redevelopment Motion

 Despite being the budget season and one of the busiest times of the year for city councillors, the main topic of discussion at yesterday’s meeting of Council was the Ottawa Brownfield Redevelopment Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Brownfields are abandoned, vacant, or underutilized properties within the city’s urban boundaries where past

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) 2020 edition

 The 2020 edition of Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) takes place on Saturday, February 22nd.  It’s a great opportunity to have fun with friends and family, and make a difference in the lives of people who need the programs and services of The Ottawa Mission. This is the sixth

Madonna: Tragic epitome of homelessness

 She was soaking her swollen feet in the small outdoor hot tub at a Motel Six hotel located on Highway 101 about an hour south of San Francisco, in the summer of 2019. The person appeared to be a senior female with a weathered, well lined, tanned visage, and a slightly

Ottawa Architecture Week raises awareness about affordable housing

 Ottawa Architecture Week (OAW) is an annual week-long festival exploring architecture, urbanism, art and design in Ottawa. With the support of local volunteers and businesses, it is presented by the Ottawa Regional Society of Architects (ORSA). This year’s OAW ran in September, with the theme of ‘Affordability’. OAW explained that

How Doctors Can Tackle the Their Patients’ Poverty Without Leaving the Office

 Can a question asked in a doctor’s office contribute to ending poverty for patients and their families?  This is what we asked ourselves 10 years ago, as we set out to convince health providers to tackle poverty. There were two factors that pushed us into this work: first, the evidence

Seniors Housing Can be Affordable

 Older adults living on low and fixed incomes need options It was recently reported that Calgary has some of the most expensive seniors’ housing in Canada, at $3,100 a month, some $1,000 over the national average. Headlines like these catch people’s attention, especially during an election. There’s no doubt that

Saskatoon’s housing crisis is a health emergency

 Recently, a disturbing photo of five people sleeping in a Saskatoon bank lobby became headline news and filled social media feeds. An earlier photo had contrasted the lush yards on the east side of the riverbank with tents in the bushes on the west side. A few days later, homelessness

What I didn’t learn in medical school

 Sometimes doctors can’t fix what makes their patients sick in the first place. I began medical school optimistic about what becoming a physician meant I could do for my future patients. Naively, I presumed my career would involve treating patients’ illnesses so they could return to lead full and fulfilling

Why Affordable Housing Should be a Federal Election Issue

 It’s time to make affordable housing an issue in the federal election campaign. Four million people are struggling to find affordable housing in Canada today.  By affordable, I’m using the Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) standard rule of thumb of about 30 percent of income going to housing that is

How to Make the Social Determinants of Health Matter

 An Interview with Sir Michael Marmot Recently, I was fortunate to attend the Global Symposium on the Role of Physicians and National Medical Associations in Addressing Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health held in London, England. The meeting was organized by the Canadian, British and World Medical Associations

Why One of Canada’s Big Banks is Calling for Greater Income Equality

 Studies finds public investments in childhood education, health and affordable housing good for the economy. A moneylender sees the light, discovering a spirit of giving and generosity. It’s a classic Christmas tale of redemption – and redistribution ­­– but this year the convert in question appears to be one of

Youth on the Streets: Anything but Hopeless

 Kevin Belisle begs for money and attention. He sits on Bank Street, holding a carton that reads, “Extremely hungry. Please help.” In his backpack: high school equivalency, a criminal record and a dirty jacket. Homeless Kevin Belisle, 23, asks the government for a job, so he doesn’t have to beg

Top 25 People in the Capital 2014

 by Marie Waine, Janice Dickson & Caleigh DiNicolantonio. Our list of the TOP 25 people in the Capital reflects a small sampling of the citizens who lead and make our community better. While honourees differ greatly in vocation and social circumstance, they share a commonality: With the odd exception, they

Why Canadian Medicare Should Neither ‘Go Dutch’ or ‘to the Dogs’

 Canada’s health care system faced some provocative comparisons recently. First was Sarah Boston’s new book, Lucky Dog, in which she details her personal experience with thyroid cancer and navigating the Canadian health system. Boston, a veterinary oncologist, claims Canadian dogs often have better access to health care than their human

Inequality hurting social inclusion in Canada

 Widening gap between the rich and the rest a looming crisis by Senator Art Eggleton Recently, I tabled a study in the Senate from the Social Affairs Committee about social inclusion. We wanted to know how significant poverty, homelessness, a lack of affordable housing and income inequality in Canada have

Time to Tackle the Rooming-House Paradox

 More than 30,000 homeless Canadians daily, thousands more part of the ‘hidden homeless’ On any given night, thousands of Canadians languish in ramshackle housing, line up at shelters or sleep in our streets and alleyways.  This situation is not limited to our big cities, with the Homeless Hub estimating that