NPF wishes to share the below information from National Right to Housing Network. Some excellent resources!
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National Right to Housing Network is less than a week away from their webinar unpacking the recent landmark court ruling in Waterloo!
On Tuesday, June 16 from 1:00–2:30 PM ET, join us as we walk through what Judge Gibson’s ruling means for human rights and our fight to end homelessness across Canada.
Meet your panelists:
- Jakob: A rights-holder and resident of the Waterloo encampment who will speak about the community of people experiencing homelessness who are fighting for dignity, safety, and justice
- Ashley Schuitema, Waterloo Region Community Legal Services: One of the lawyers who represented the encampment residents on the case
- Martha Jackman, Professor emerita Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa: General counsel for the National Right to Housing Network and Charter Committee on Poverty Issues
- Jen Danch, Swadron Associates: Lawyer representing the amicus (i.e., “friends of the court”) who provided independent legal expertise and insights to assist the judge in considering the case
Together, they’ll cover what this ruling means for:
- Government accountability on homelessness, and why inaction may no longer be a legally defensible option;
- Lawyers, advocates, and civil society organizations, and how you can use this decision in your fight to end homelessness, and;
- Encampment residents in Waterloo, and what the Region is now required to do.
French interpretation and ASL are available. An open Q&A will be provided at the end — bring your questions or send in your questions in advance here.
Space is running out so be sure to secure your spot!
RSVP here
We ask that everyone who join an NRHN event to please abide by our Respectful Space Agreement. Thank you!
Also in today’s newsletter…
CAEH26: Financial support (bursaries & scholarships) now available!
Federal Housing Advocate’s annual report is out now.
Small update on Parliament and what’s coming next
In solidarity,
Jessica Tan (she/her)
Communications Lead
National Right to Housing Network
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Update on Parliament
The House of Commons is expected to rise for the summer in the coming days, which means a quieter period on Parliament Hill.
However, we do anticipate that the process to develop the National Housing Strategy 2.0 will get underway soon, and we’ll be watching closely.
As soon as we have details on what that process will look like and how you can engage, we’ll send them straight to your inbox.
HUMA: Parliament’s Study on Homelessness
Parliament’s HUMA* Committee is doing a study on homelessness in Canada and our team at NRHN is making a submission!
This study will review the key factors contributing to homelessness such as housing affordability, supportive housing, substance use, access to treatment, along with the Reaching Home program.
Community organizations, advocates, housing and human rights experts, and others are encouraged to submit a brief to the Committee by June 19, 2026!
Learn more or submit a brief here
HUMA stands for the “Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.”
Federal Housing Advocate: Annual Report
The Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, has released her 2025-2026 annual report.
The report and its recommendations focuses on the renewed National Housing Strategy, Build Canada Homes, and other systemic housing issues such as accessible housing, homeless encampments, and more.
“Across these issues, one theme remains consistent: A human rights-based approach offers a clear path forward. When governments engage directly with rights holders and design policies based on needs and outcomes for people, solutions become more effective and sustainable.”
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CAEH26: Apply for Bursaries & Scholarships!
Join us at our Right to Housing Stream at this year’s National Conference on Ending Homelessness (CAEH26) in Winnipeg!
The first round of bursaries and scholarship opportunities are now open for those seeking financial support to attend.
The Lived Experience Bursary helps cover the costs for people with lived or living experience of homelessness who would not otherwise be able to attend the conference — including costs of travel, accommodation, meals, and accessibility needs.
Deadline to apply is July 17, 2026!
Report: Federal Commitments to MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice are Stalling
A new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the National Family and Survivors Circle paints a sobering picture seven years after the release of the 231 Calls for Justice.
Nearly half of all federal programs tied to the commitments made towards the 231 Calls have ended or are at risk of being sunsetted. Many Indigenous governance scholars describe this as “austerity through expiration” — commitments not explicitly withdrawn, but quietly allowed to lapse.
This report makes 10 recommendations to ensure the federal government meets its constitutional commitments to Indigenous Peoples.
Add Your Name: Uphold Canadian Values on World Refugee Day
The vast majority of people in Canada support refugees and migrants and expect Canada to continue being a humanitarian leader in the world.
Help turn the tide on rising anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Today is the last day to add your name! Ahead of World Refugee Day, join in calling on our Prime Minister to uphold Canadian values, because we know we’re better and stronger together.
Report: Rethinking Municipal Responses to Encampments
Drawing on a review of bylaws and encampment protocols in municipalities with populations over 70,000, a new report develops a human rights–based policy framework and assesses the extent to which current municipal approaches align with it.
The report also outlines five pillars for a human rights–based approach to encampments and identifies practical steps municipalities can take to better align policy and practice with these principles
The report was authored by Laura Pin, Regan Sunshine Brussé, Shabeeh Ahmad, and Erin Dej from Wilfred Laurier University.
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Accessibility Review Panel: Send in Your Submission!
A friendly reminder that the deadline to send in your submission for the accessibility review panel is Monday, June 22nd!
If you are someone with lived or living experience of homelessness, an organization, housing and human rights experts, an advocate, or an organization in the accessibility space, please make a submission to share your story and expertise!
This review panel will be looking at the lack of accessible housing across the country and its impact on people with disabilities.
Visit the National Right to Housing Network website – housingrights.ca
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