Three of Canada’s four political parties in Parliament – a very solid majority – have backed draft legislation to create a long-overdue and much-needed national housing plan. MP Libby Davies (NDP) has introduced Bill C-304, a private member’s bill that would incorporate Canada’s international housing rights obligations into Canadian law. Members of Parliament from the Liberal Party and the Bloc Quebecois spoke during second reading debate on the legislation on Thursday evening in support of the plan. Even the Conservative MP who spoke during the debate said that his party supports the idea of a national housing plan, though they don’t like the NDP bill. The bill comes back for a vote on second reading around September 30, and if it passes, it goes to committee for consideration, possible amendment and then back to the House for third and final reading. The Wellesley Institute, along with a number of other national organizations, has called for a national housing plan for Canada. We are completing work on a major new report called the State of the Nations’ Housing 2009, which will set out new research and analysis on housing and homelessness across Canada.