Heather McPherson says she’s taking Sudbury’s housing crisis to Ottawa

NDP federal leadership candidate Heather McPherson met with non-profits in Greater Sudbury, Ont., to discuss the city's housing crisis.

Federal New Democratic Party leadership contender Heather McPherson convened with representatives from six local non-profit organizations in Greater Sudbury on Monday to discuss the severe impacts of the housing crisis on the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Raymond Landry, the coordinator of the Homelessness Network, delivered a stark assessment of provincial support systems and emphasized the dire financial situation faced by those relying on social assistance.

“Our provincial government doesn’t believe in or invest in people who are poor,” he said.

“The rates of Ontario Works (OW) certainly attest to that. There’s no way for them to get out of that situation.”

Landry further illustrated the impossibility of securing housing on such limited incomes.

“It’s a lot of, I don’t know where else to send you. $730 (OW’s maximum) is nothing. They can’t afford a room – $1,000 and up for a room,” he said.

McPherson pledges action, highlights northern Ont.’s importance

In response to the testimony she heard, McPherson outlined her proposed first step to address the nationwide issue, framing it as an emergency requiring immediate and significant resources.

“Listening to everything you’re saying, I mean, the first step in our, in our plan is to declare a national housing emergency, because that helps us mobilize funds, because that helps us mobilize resources to deal with it at scale,” said McPherson.

The leadership candidate stressed the significance of engaging with northern Ontario communities, noting Sudbury’s alignment with the party’s core values.

“This is an important community for new democrats. You know, we are the party for workers and Sudbury is a working town,” said McPherson.

“For me, it was very important that I took the time to come to Sudbury to speak to people in Sudbury about the issues that are facing them, the concerns that they have.”

Call for party rebuilding, rural engagement

McPherson is the second contender in the NDP leadership race to visit the city, following Rob Ashton. Other declared candidates include Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, and Tony McQuail.

Carol Hughes, a former NDP member of parliament, now retired, voiced concern over the party’s current lack of representation from Ontario in the House of Commons and urged all candidates to witness northern realities firsthand.

“The fact that we don’t have any NDP MPs in Ontario is very problematic, to be able to be heard in the House of Commons on a different perspective,” she said.

“I really think that every candidate should be coming through, to see what is going on here in the north and I’m sure they all will.”

Echoing the need for a party resurgence, McPherson pointed to the small caucus size as a national concern.

“Our party needs to rebuild. You know, we have seven members of parliament, and that’s a problem because that means that we’ve got a very, very right-wing liberal party in government.” said McPherson.

Advocates await follow-through in parliament

McPherson committed to bringing the specific concerns raised at the Sudbury round table to the attention of parliament ahead of the upcoming NDP leadership debate.

Raymond Landry expressed cautious optimism regarding the candidate’s promise, highlighting the critical need for sustained advocacy at the federal level.

“To see that she follows through on that and, eager to know that the government will hear, again from some advocates, on what the issues are and the pressing nature of those needs having to be met,” said Landry.