Canadian premiers demand input on federal, municipal housing agreements

Premier Tim Houston and his provincial and territorial government counterparts agree that municipalities within their boundaries should accede to the province in housing funding agreements with the federal government.

“Right now, we have a federal government and they believe in a divide and conquer approach to things and we see that around the carbon tax and we see that around some of the funding announcements,” Houston said during a Tuesday news conference with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

“You wake up in the morning as premier and hear there’s been a funding announcement in the province with the federal government,” Houston said.

‘You wake up in the morning as premier and hear there’s been a funding announcement in the province with the federal government.’

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston

Houston, Moe and their provincial counterparts reached a consensus Monday before the conclusion of the two-day Canadian premiers meeting in Halifax that provincial agreement be required before municipalities or public agencies enter into housing or infrastructure deals with the federal government.

Quebec has legislation that makes that requirement law.

“We’re actually hoping it’s not necessary,” Houston said of creating a legislative framework similar to that which exists in Quebec.

“They saw it as necessary and they have a piece of legislation in Quebec that requires the federal government to deal honestly and fairly with the provincial government and it’s worked for Quebec when you see some of the outcomes they’ve had on different policies,” Houston said.

Upfront involvement

In terms of housing in Nova Scotia, Houston said “there are not many projects that a municipality would advance, even in conjunction with the federal government, that the province is not going to be a partner.”

Houston said the province’s partnership should be acknowledged and accepted upfront.

“Let’s have the province at the table to begin with and we’re hoping that the federal government sees that is common sense and fair and does it but if not, the premiers all spoke about the willingness to adopt legislation similar to what Quebec has that requires the federal government to deal fairly with the province and the municipalities at the same time.”

Houston was asked if a municipality seeking prior approval from the province to enter into a housing funding arrangement with the federal government would slow down projects at a time when housing is so desperately needed.

“Get all the people at the table to begin with as opposed to two parts in this example, the municipality and the federal government, striking a deal, knowing full well that the province is going to have to be involved, and then coming to the province afterwards.”

Houston also dismissed the view that provincial approval for funding housing developments could result in a political process where sites for development would be determined in accordance to ridings held by government MLAs.

Role for all

“These are important issues, the housing crisis is real,” Houston said. “There is a role for the federal government, there is a role for the provincial government, there is a role for municipalities, not-for-profit developers. Definitely many hands make light work.

“I just think the reality is that for a lot of our municipalities, for the federal programming really to achieve their goals, they are going to want or need some provincial participation and we’re happy to do that where it makes sense. From the premiers’ table, we collectively feel that involving the provincial government early on makes more sense and will be quicker.”

Houston said it wasn’t long ago that Cape Breton Regional Municipality had decided to turn away federal housing money, not really knowing how to use it. The province stepped in and the funding was used appropriately, he said.

“Let’s try to nip those things,” he said.

Moe said everyone is needed at the housing table, “all levels of government and the industry as well.”

“We require some flexibility with what is happening, whether it be some federal funding that’s being provided in that space,” Moe said. “That does need to be flexible and the province needs to be at the table.”

Houston said the provincial government is there to help municipalities, to make sure that they understand the programs available to them and providing provincial expertise to help them get the applications in.

“Everyone wants more housing, safer housing, more affordable housing so I think if we have all of the parties at the table we can have a real discussion about what’s possible,” Houston said. “Not everything is possible for every municipality.”

Won’t stop

Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser, the MP for Central Nova, said Tuesday he won’t stop working directly with municipalities to build more homes faster.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Fraser said the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which gives money to towns and cities that commit to reducing red tape, has seen some early success and eventually will help to facilitate the construction of tens of thousands of new homes.

Fraser said Canadians want to see progress, not a fractious debate over whether Ottawa should be cutting cheques directly to municipalities.

“If the premier can’t understand why municipalities and the federal government are doing this, it’s because he has been really challenging to work with and has not been co-operative with municipalities,” provincial Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said at the House.

“He’s run roughshod over HRM, didn’t even call the mayor before they brought in a piece of legislation that was giving the minister overriding authority when it comes to development in HRM,” Churchill said. “They’ve been attacking the federal government for a year, so it only makes sense that the municipalities and the feds are going to go around them and reach co-operative agreements that result in housing.”

Churchill said the premier inserting himself will result in less federal housing accelerator funding coming to the province.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the Nova Scotia government is laser focused on partisan benefits for their constituencies.

“I would love to see all orders of government work together, that’s what we heard from the federal housing minister is that he wants to work with any willing partner but this premier has not been a willing partner in conversations with other orders of government,” Chender said.