Housing remains a top priority not only locally, but nationwide. The housing crisis has reached a critical stage, and people across Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt are feeling the impact.
Young families are struggling to afford their first homes, seniors are waiting for supportive housing, and workers are being increasingly pushed to live far from their places of employment. The message is clear: We need to build more homes faster and ensure they’re affordable.
For more than 40 years, federal and provincial governments have stepped back from investing in housing. That’s how we got here. The federal government cannot fix this alone. Tackling the housing crisis requires a united effort from all levels of government.
Federal representatives must work together with the province, local mayors, municipalities and private-sector developers to get shovels in the ground.
As the elected Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt for the past decade, I have worked with local mayors, non-profit organizations, and developers to identify the root causes of the local housing shortage. Building these connections has been essential to bringing all partners to the table, fostering relationships and advancing critical housing projects by leveraging available resources and newly introduced federal programs.
Through these connections, I’ve helped deliver:
- $2 million to the Town of Espanola through the Housing Accelerator Fund, supporting 64 new homes over the next three years, with plans for 400 over the next decade. Espanola’s action plan includes zoning reforms, e-permitting and partnerships to expand affordable housing.
- $800,000 to create three affordable housing units for seniors in Little Current on Manitoulin Island
- $2.16 million was committed to the West Nipissing Housing Development by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation, which includes six housing units (two semi-detached, two three-bedroom bungalows). Local materials, labour, training, and community development focus
- 55 new affordable rental units coming to Coniston through a nearly $18-million investment from CMHC and the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors' Housing Corporation
- $73+ million for 347 affordable homes in Greater Sudbury
- $6.3 million in federal funding for the Peace Tower project in Greater Sudbury, creating 38 affordable homes for vulnerable and unhoused residents
- Over $16 million through the Housing Accelerator Fund to the City of Greater Sudbury, fast-tracking the development of 495 new homes, with a long-term vision of over 4,000 units
- $2.5 million to support shelter beds and studio units at 200 Larch St., a community hub supporting vulnerable and homeless individuals
- $7.4 million was invested in a 40-unit transitional housing complex in Greater Sudbury through the Rapid Housing Initiative
There is still much work to be done, and to build what is required to meet the demand, we need an all of-government approach and leadership from the top.
Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives have offered no real solutions. A Liberal government under Mark Carney will take bold, immediate action:
- Double the pace of home construction to nearly 500,000 homes per year
- Launch a new national affordable housing program to meet urgent needs. • Cut building fees in half for multi-unit housing projects
- Convert empty office buildings into homes in communities across Canada. • Bring back a tax break to boost rental construction
- Eliminate the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time buyers—saving families up to $50,000
Federal support for private-sector builders is essential in Northern Ontario. Lower average rents and unique economic conditions mean developers face real financial barriers. Federal programs must reflect that reality and help get projects off the ground.
We must also address the infrastructure deficit — especially on federally controlled or publicly owned lands. Without water, roads, and services, homes can’t be built. We need strategic federal investments to close those gaps and unlock new opportunities for our communities.
We can build more homes, fix this crisis, and, together, build a stronger Canada.
Marc Serré is the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for the riding of Sudbury East–Manitoulin–Nickel Belt.