Mr. Speaker, Vancouverites have witnessed something remarkable in recent weeks. A community-led campaign, known as #donthave1million, has vividly raised the profile of Vancouver's affordable housing crisis.
Founded by Eveline Xia, a young professional Vancouverite, this movement is an inspiring example of young folks standing up for the future livability of their community and their city.
Recent data paints a grim picture. The average family sized townhouses cost $1 million, rental units are not being built fast enough, half of renters in B.C. pay more than they can afford to house themselves and young Vancouverites are leaving the city for good.
As Ms. Xia says:
At a pace that defies reason and defies the local economy, the dream of affordable home ownership and affordable rental housing is slipping away from too many of us....For young workers like me, or even families with two good incomes, we work hard but our dreams of a modest home will never materialize in this city.
It is time for all governments to listen to the call raised by Ms. Xia and countless others. It is time for a national housing strategy that provides appropriate, affordable and secure homes for everyone.