In the News

The CEO of Sudbury-based social marketing agency SocialRise Inc. says a controversial video he posted aims to raise awareness about homelessness and promote a fundraising event, but it has sparked strong debate among advocates working with vulnerable populations. Connor LaRocque released a 13-minute video showing him distributing winter clothing, hand warmers, and cash to people […]

Federal housing advocate Marie-Josée Houle is urging the federal government to expand and sustain funding that helps municipalities respond to homelessness and encampments. Her recommendations follow a September tour of Hamilton, Cambridge, Kitchener, London, and Toronto, where she met with people experiencing homelessness, service providers, and local officials. Houle found consistent problems across cities: systemic

A new report provides detailed plans for transforming a farmer’s field in south London, Ont., into a modular shelter community for up to 60 homeless residents starting in January. The $7-million project, funded through the city’s contingency reserve, will operate until April 2027 on city-owned land at 1710 Wilton Grove Rd. The expedited initiative began

In Fort St. John, B.C., where no official warming centre exists, resident Kristen Goold has launched Warm Welcome, a grassroots initiative offering warmth and support to people experiencing homelessness. Operating Sunday and Thursday evenings outside the local WorkBC office, the setup consists of two tents: one with quilts, chairs and a propane fire pit, and

Steve, 58, has lived at Wiigiwaaminaan Lodge for four months, trying to make his small room feel like home with sweetgrass and his beadwork. After years of hardship—including a difficult childhood, job loss, and addiction—he says the Indigenous-led shelter has given him “his life back.” Emotional healing has come through cultural practices such as sweat

Housing advocates in Sudbury warn that “cash for keys” agreements—where landlords pay tenants to vacate—are worsening long-term homelessness. While payouts of $3,000 to $5,000 may seem appealing, Homelessness Network coordinator Raymond Landry says recipients quickly fall behind because Sudbury’s low vacancy rates and high rents make the money insufficient. Many people offered these deals already

Homelessness in Saskatoon has risen sharply, with the latest point-in-time count on Oct. 16 identifying 1,931 people without stable housing—a 30 per cent increase from 2023 and more than triple the 550 recorded in 2022. Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand called the trend alarming, emphasizing that poverty and the rising cost of living are

Edmonton has selected affordable housing providers to build roughly 1,300 new homes on 10 former surplus school sites, Mayor Andrew Knack announced. About 70 per cent of the units—around 925 homes—will fall within the city’s affordable housing spectrum, including supportive, social, and below-market rental or ownership options. The developments will be built within the original

New Brunswick is seeing a revival of housing co-operatives, with three new co-ops in Fredericton, Sackville, and a northern community preparing plans for about 200 units. Tim Ross of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada says this marks renewed government commitment after decades of limited investment since the early 1990s. Co-ops remain significantly more affordable

Smithers, B.C., a town of 5,500, drew more than 8,000 views to a town-hall livestream as residents debated a new emergency shelter. Mayor Gladys Atrill acknowledged concerns, emphasizing that the shelter is a temporary measure and not a long-term solution. Similar tensions are emerging across smaller B.C. communities facing rising homelessness. Sidney council recently rejected