Close X
Thursday, December 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

NDP calls on feds to give study permits to institutions with 'credible' housing plan

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Aug, 2023 09:45 AM
  • NDP calls on feds to give study permits to institutions with 'credible' housing plan

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced a plan to address student housing shortages on Thursday.

The party is calling on the federal government to allocate student permits to post-secondary institutions that demonstrate they have a credible and affordable housing plan.

The proposal comes as the number of international students enrolled in Canada skyrockets, putting more pressure on housing shortages.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press that the federal government is reconsidering international student flows, particularly since some students have been victims of fraud. 

"Landlords are asking for a whole year's worth of rent as a deposit," Singh said. 

"What student can come up with that type of liquidity? It's impossible."

Singh is also calling on the federal government to establish a funding model to get more student housing built, which would see the federal government, provinces and territories and post-secondary institutions contributing money in equal parts.

He said Ottawa should incentivize partnerships to help convert empty office spaces for residential use, including for dormitory-style student housing.

"We have to tackle this problem," he said.

Singh highlighted a Toronto project that was a collaboration between a not-for-profit organization and businesses, which he said will house more than 500 students with "deeply affordable rents."

MORE National ARTICLES

Reign of world's largest hockey stick coming to an end as Duncan holds survey

Reign of world's largest hockey stick coming to an end as Duncan holds survey
The 28,118-kilogram stick was built to mark the entrance to the Canada pavilion at Vancouver's Expo in 1986, but 37 years later the Cowichan Valley Regional District said it is coming to "the end of its life."  

Reign of world's largest hockey stick coming to an end as Duncan holds survey

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9
A statement from the Education Ministry says that starting in the 2023-2024 school year, only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages so post-secondary entry requirements are met. 

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

Body found in vacant lot: VPD

Body found in vacant lot: VPD
Police say a body has been found in a vacant lot in East Vancouver. Constable Tania Visintin says the discovery was made last night by a passerby. It's Vancouver's ninth homicide of 2023.

Body found in vacant lot: VPD

Sikh Liberal MPs meet with public safety minister over Surrey killing

Sikh Liberal MPs meet with public safety minister over Surrey killing
The federal Liberal Party's Sikh caucus -- which includes several members of Parliament from B-C -- has met with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendocino to discuss the killing of Surrey Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Seven caucus members met with the minister last night.

Sikh Liberal MPs meet with public safety minister over Surrey killing

Man in hospital after being hit by a bus

Man in hospital after being hit by a bus
A man is in hospital with critical injuries after being hit by a bus in Surrey on Friday morning. At 2:40am, Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a pedestrian motor vehicle crash in the 14000 block of 96th avenue.  

Man in hospital after being hit by a bus

38th anniversary of Air India bombing

38th anniversary of Air India bombing
Air India flight 1-82 blew up hours later off Ireland's coast, killing all 329 people aboard -- most of whom were Canadians. Health Minister Adrian Dix will take part in an event today for the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism at the Air India Memorial in Vancouver.

38th anniversary of Air India bombing