The scale of potential federal spending cuts is enormous - why isn't everyone talking about this? Is this the direction Canada should be pursuing? New from my colleague David Macdonald #cdnpoli

"In a open letter to Regional Council last week, National Housing Advocate Marie-Josée Houle expressed her concerns with Bylaw 25-021, the bylaw passed by council in April that requires the residents to vacate the property by December 1, 2025." -City News: tinyurl.com/2we9w2uh

The open letter, from Marie-Josée Houle, said municipalities like Waterloo Region “have obligations to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and to adopt a human rights-based approach to encampments.” Read the full article at: tinyurl.com/nhr32wj

“Although the region, on the one hand, has a team of support workers to assist encampment residents in accessing housing; on the other hand, the region is bringing harmful litigation against the residents of the encampment,” Houle said.

"It flew under the radar during the federal election, but the newly elected federal government, led by the Liberals, is planning deep cuts. Over half of the cuts will come from federal transfers to other levels of government, non-profits and businesses." policyalternatives.ca/news-research/…

The @policyalternatives has analyzed "which federal transfers might now be on the chopping block—and why this should have been part of the election debates." policyalternatives.ca/news-research/…

A 2nd municipality in the Region has been contacted by the federal housing watchdog about its attempts to clear homeless encampments while shelter space is limited and extreme heat posts serious safety risks. cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/cit…

We thank Cambridge Regional Councillor Pam Wolf for voicing her concerns about this short-sighted approach: "Our efforts to remove encampments simply traumatizes the residents and moves the encampment to another area. Our energy and money need to be spent on permanent solutions."

"Citizens for Cambridge stands with Councillors Hamilton and Earnshaw, who have shown the courage to speak out for compassionate, evidence-based approaches. Cambridge cannot police its way out of a housing crisis. What’s needed is care, not cruelty."

Please join us tomorrow for the 100Vic Injunction Motion Hearing at the Waterloo Region Courthouse (85 Frederick St. Kitchener).

📢We're recruiting for 2 exciting opportunities at SDC! Check the links👇 & apply today! 1⃣ Paid position as a part-time Civic Hub Community Developer: tinyurl.com/38znfk6u 2⃣ Volunteer position as an Ontario Electricity Support Program Agent Volunteer: tinyurl.com/54djw7zh

ICYMI: The cities of Kitchener+Waterloo are making bold moves to protect tenants, deter bad-faith landlords, and preserve affordable housing stock. Check out this chat with our Tenant Organizing Lead, Megan Walker, about the sustained organizing efforts behind these victories.

This information is so critical for tenants - as the lack of it results in increased homelessness. A family we supported was evicted in a way that by the time they returned home from work, their keys were changed & they were left on the streets.

👍The Court has granted an injunction for the 100Vic Encampment Case! The Region is restrained from enforcing its Site-Specific By-law until the constitutionality of the bylaw can be determined following the hearing in November. Read the decision at: wrcls.ca/3878-2

📋JOB ALERT: Are you passionate about grassroots organizing, collective action, and a commitment to reconciliation that goes beyond mere platitudes? Join our team as a part-time Community Developer! ⏰ Apply by 12am on Sept 7, 2025 🔗 tinyurl.com/38znfk6u

SDC is concerned that legislation like Bill C-2 scapegoats migrants and refugees for the housing and affordability crises in our communities. And it erodes basic protections for all of us. Sign the petition from Migrant Rights Network #StatusForAll to STOP Bill C-2: MigrantRights.ca/StopC2

Happening now: Julian, Donald, & Aaron from our Lived Expertise Roster are joining a roundtable with Office of the Federal Housing Advocate to share what they're seeing on the ground + what’s needed from the federal advocate. They were at 100 Vic earlier supporting others to share also their stories.

Last call! 🚨 Register at rideforrefuge.org/kitchenercentr… or at the event to be part of this year’s Ride for Refuge! Let's ride (and walk) with purpose this Saturday, Oct. 4.