Toronto skyline at sunset Credit: Vladyslava Andriyenko / Unsplash
A generation of affordable housing developers are dying – what will we do without them?
On New Year’s day, the housing sector in the Greater Toronto Area got dealt a blow with the sudden death of leading affordable housing developer, Jon Harstone. Born in 1950, Harstone came of age in the 1970s when affordable housing development was firmly on the federal government’s radar. He bragged that the Canadian… (read more)
Another election, the same housing crisis
As another federal campaign begins, it’s time for me to dust off my previous rabble.ca article about the state of housing in Canada, update the dates, increase the numbers and press ‘send’ … (read more)
In Canada's housing crisis, distribution of living space a growing issue
At the law firm where I work, we hear from housing providers all the time about the issue of overhousing and underhousing -- that is, situations where … (read more)
Legal cannabis enters into debate about where Canadians can smoke
Most people recognize that people have a right to live their lives so long as they don't negatively affect their neighbours. But let's face … (read more)
The other side of eviction -- one co-op's story shows the gaps in our system
It's been a tough year to be a landlord-side housing lawyer with a social conscience. Our tenant-side colleagues post horror stories of evictions … (read more)
Law students face shortage of articling positions
One hundred thirty-seven -- yes, that's right: 137. And last year, 150!
These are the number of applicants we received for one articling position for the period July 2019 to May 2010. For readers not in law in … (read more)
Size as a human right in a #MeToo world
"In May 2017, Quebec court judge Jean-Paul Braun decided on a case in which a 17-year-old young woman was sexually assaulted by a cab driver. Justice Braun said, "you could say she's a little overweight, but she has a pretty face, huh?" and went on to suggest that … (read more)
B.C. is revamping its human rights system. How can it ensure justice is served?
In August, the new B.C. government took an important step: it decided to reinstate the B.C. Human Rights Commission, dismantled by the long-governing Liberals 15 years ago. This was not the first time that B.C.'s governments have taken a run … (read more)
Henceforth legalese should not be used — i.e., it should cease, desist and be at an end
Law is a tool. It's a tool for everyone to use. And with increasing numbers of people representing themselves in court and using legal how-to b … (read more)
Because it’s 2015: Calling for gender equality in the legal profession
"Because it's 2015"...
was the freshly minted PM's response to the question, "why gender parity in the cabinet?" And good on him. I think we can all agree that equality of numbers … (read more)
Affordable housing for all: Let’s make it an election priority
Last week, I attended the AGM of Accommodation, Information and Support (AIS), a supportive housing provider for 104 Torontonians who have experienced mental health challenges and homelessness; many AIS tenants attended (read more)
Access to justice crisis: 15 years too long to wait for solutions.
We have all heard about Canada's increasingly underfunded legal aid programs, escalating private market legal costs, and the scarcity of lawyers, especially in … (read more)
Expiring operating agreements: An opportunity for housing innovation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) operating agreements with non‑profit housing co‑operatives and rental housing providers have begun to… (read more)