A dynamic afternoon of testimony today from a series of expert witnesses (including the Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott, has helped moved Bill C-304 – the draft legislation that sets out a process to create a new national affordable housing strategy – a step closer to reality. The Assembly of First Nations, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Federation of Canadian Apartment Associations, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Wellesley Institute all spoke in favour of a national housing plan. The bill passed second reading in the Commons with the support of the NDP, Liberals, Bloc and a lone Conservative. It will receive detailed, clause-by-clause review next Tuesday, and will then return to the House for third and final vote; before heading off to the Senate for ratification there. With the unanimous support of every expert witness at today’s hearing, the bill appears poised to move forward.