This is a major step for Canada and one that would have to be applauded, at least in my opinion, because Canada has long been completely out of step with international human rights obligations and other countries in denying that the right to housing exists at all. The government, in my opinion, and in a fairly short period of time, has come a great distance.
I am often approached by different governments asking what my country is doing, because I'm from Canada. I don't represent Canada, obviously; I'm independent. Whenever I start mumbling that they're in the midst of thinking about adopting legislation that would recognize the right to housing and they have a national housing strategy with a rights-based approach, other governments are very heartened to hear that—for example, parliamentarians in New Zealand, Ireland and Spain.
I think Canada could actually.... I think this legislation is very unique and I think it could serve as a model for other countries.