Please WRITE and, or CALL policy makers to summon the Landlord CEOs + DATA to the House of Commons similar to the summoning of the grocery store CEOs.  See contact information further BELOW to WRITE/CALL policy makers TODAY!

BELOW is the text of my prepared notes for my presentation before The City of Calgary Council on Monday November 20, 2023 to address the Budget.  Please check with my delivery to fit the 5-minute time limit.  I spoke remotely – Panel #10 – VIDEO starting at approximately 4:31:35. 

See also my Attachment to my presentation – my letter dated October 17, 2023 to ALL levels of government (The City of Calgary Regular Council Meeting November 7, 2023 MINUTES - DOCUMENT Distrib-Public Submissions 3-C-2023-1148 pages 21 to 29) - my letter dated October 17, 2023 to ALL Levels of Government requesting that a HOUSING EMERGENCY be declared in Calgary and across Canada and immediate actions be taken.

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I am a Calgarian for HOUSING is a HUMAN RIGHT. Also, I am a long-term renter for over 25+ years in a Boardwalk REIT apartment building in the Beltline community, in Ward 8. I wish to provide attachments to Council with my presentation today.

I live on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Metis Nation Region 3 and all people who make their homes in Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Today, I would like to encourage you to use the maximum resources  in the shortest possible time in order to provide housing for those most in need as per the right to adequate housing that ALL Canadians have under the National Housing Strategy Act, 2019.  This includes through the Housing Accelerator Fund (City of Calgary – Housing Accelerator Fund),  the City’s office conversion program and as per the HART Housing Needs Assessment Tool that reveals over 50,000 households in Calgary CMA need shelter costing $1,262 per month or less (Census 2021).  [NOTE1]

Immediately, hire an external expert consultant such as SHS Consulting to conduct a comprehensive housing human rights needs analysis for Calgary with wide public engagement. [NOTE2, NOTE3]

You may recall that on October 17, 2023 I wrote all levels of Government requesting that a HOUSING EMERGENCY be declared in Calgary and across Canada and that immediate actions be taken to protect the vulnerable including renters – including a NATIONAL RENT FREEZE, EVICTION FREEZE and to LOWER RENT-GOUGED RENTS.  Also, to protect the existing supply of adequate, affordable, accessible, and secure tenure housing. [NOTE4]

An epic housing catastrophe is occurring in Calgary.  Mayor Gondek and The City of Calgary Council, please DECLARE a HOUSING EMERGENCY today. [NOTE5]

Also, WRITE and CALL the Federal government to summon the landlord CEOs immediately to the House of Commons including to LOWER RENT GOUGED rent - similarly to how the grocery store CEOs were summoned to lower their prices.  Also, implement a NATIONAL RENT FREEZE and EVICTION FREEZE – and MORE.

I have echoed these requests in my BRIEF to the House of Commons HUMA Committee Review regarding financialization of housing, rent gouging,  renovictions and related issues and also in my submission and my oral testimony on Oct 31, 2023 before the National Housing Council review of financialization of purpose-built rental housing  - as well as in my presentation regarding the harm of financialization of housing on Oct. 20, 2023 at the Pan Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing Symposium in Ottawa - with Julieta Perucca, Deputy Director of THE SHIFT also presenting regarding financialization of housing.

NO means NO.   I request you to immediately STOP THE HARM and ECONOMIC VIOLENCE in the multi-family residential rental sector in Calgary.  This is apparently in large part due to the financialization of housing – treating housing as a for-profit commodity and not first and foremost as a home, a basic human right. Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate has stated that financialization of housing is violating the adequate right to housing – creating harm to individuals, families, and entire communities.  [NOTE6]

This can be seen to be true in Calgary.  

• It seems that our HOUSING EMERGENCY is Boardwalk REIT’s positive outlook to rent gouge us.  See Boardwalk REIT financial reporting for Q3 2023  at https://www.bwalk.com/en-ca/investors/  including: Boardwalk REIT Conference Call November 8, 2023 Presentation – including Slides 7 and 36;  Boardwalk REIT Q3 2023 REPORT – including at pages 17 to 19, 44 to 45, 64 to 65).   Over the past 17 to 19 months, Boardwalk REIT – one of the largest financialized landlords in Calgary and across Canada -  has increased rents for a 1 Bedroom and Den apartment at Boardwalk REIT Skygate Tower by approximately $565 (~47% increase) per rental unit per month – from approximately ~$1,214 to $1,779.  Unsustainable.  Inhumane. Predatory. REVERSE!  Put people first, not profits first.  Housing is a HOME, a basic HUMAN RIGHT! 
• At its Q3 2023 investor reporting on November 8, 2023, Boardwalk REIT revealed intention to further increase rents “Mark to Market” in Calgary by $213 per rental unit per month. See Boardwalk REIT Conference Call November 8, 2023 Presentation – including Slides 7 and 36. This is approximately 30X the increase in its operating costs of approximately $7 per rental unit per month in Alberta (to $522 per rental unit per month). This cannot be allowed to occur.  A review of Boardwalk REIT’s operations is URGENTLY needed – up to and including revoking its business license in Calgary and providing for the orderly transfer of its assets to tenants and to non-market, non-profit housing providers.  See the National Housing Accord, (Includes property acquisition program for non-profits, Code of Conduct for Builders -> also include for Operators of rental properties…AND MORE.)
• At Skygate Tower, Boardwalk REIT has now refused to fix the broken garbage compactor & has locked the garbage chutes to the floors despite Boardwalk REIT’s approximate $505 million in profits/total comprehensive income in Alberta as per Boardwalk REIT's reporting for Q3 2023, 9 months ending Sept. 30, 2023  – this is more than three times  the amount of its prior period reporting (pages 44, 66).  Also, Boardwalk REIT reported approximately $1.6 billion in cumulative distributions to holders of it trust units - money that could have been used to help tenants. See Boardwalk REIT’s reporting for Q3 2023 (page 45).  This occurs at a time that Boardwalk REIT reported 26% in combined insider ownership. See Boardwalk REIT September 2023 Investor Presentation – including Slide 3.

  I raise the alarm that Boardwalk REIT seems to be running its rental buildings into the ground.  These rental buildings are primarily OLD built in the 1960s, 70s, 80s  - and purchased, NOT built by Boardwalk REIT.   See my BRIEF to the House of Commons HUMA Committee Review regarding financialization of housing, rent gouging, renovictions and related issues.

  As per its Q3 2023 financial reporting, Boardwalk REIT apparently has no current plans to build NEW housing supply in Calgary.

In 2023, I am again being rent gouged and wish not to be harassed by Boardwalk REIT – as I referred to in my submission and testimony before the National Housing Council Review regarding financialization of purpose-built housing. See also my BRIEF  to the House of Commons HUMA Committee Review regarding financialization of housing, rent gouging, renovictions and related issues. Also, see MY STORY in:  In Calgary, a builder emphasis on rental puts pressure on existing tenants – The Globe and Mail – January 16 and 24, 2020 + my COMMENT.

I request Council to declare Boardwalk REIT Skygate Tower where I live to be a historically affordable protected building. I request Council to declare the apartment building where I live - Boardwalk REIT Skygate Tower -  to be a historically affordable protected building.   Also, swiftly implement Council’s landlord licensing initiative [NOTE 7] at Boardwalk REIT Skygate Tower and other “OLD” rental buildings in Calgary (as well as ALL rental buildings) -  including by updating the Waste Bylaw 4M2020 (https://www.calgary.ca/bylaws/garbage.html) to address health and safety needs in a post pandemic/COVID-19-CLIMATE CHANGE world. Additionally, ensure the ability to age-in-place, accessibility,  affordability of housing, community-building in rental buildings as well as public reporting by landlords  - ALL with Council’s landlord licensing initiative.

Thank you,

Anne Landry

Calgary, Alberta

EMAIL:  Info@CalgariansForHousingRights.ca

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WRITE/CALL TODAY to summons Landlords + DATA to the House of Commons! Similarly to the summoning of the grocery store CEOs.  LOWER RENT-GOUGED RENT. Implement a NATIONAL RENT FREEZE and EVICTION FREEZE - AND MORE!

Current Members of Parliament: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search - including:

• The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada - House of Commons  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL:  613-992-4211  EMAIL:  Justin.Trudeau@parl.gc.ca
•  The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance  House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL:  613-992-5234   EMAIL:  Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca   
• The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities  House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL:  613-992-6022  EMAIL:  Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca 
•  The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth  House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL :  613-992-1377  EMAIL:  Marci.Ien@parl.gc.ca
• The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL:  613-992-0778  EMAIL:  Kamal.Khera@parl.gc.ca 
•  The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour and Seniors House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6  TEL:  613-992-0927  EMAIL:  Seamus.Oregan@parl.gc.ca

Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta:  https://www.assembly.ab.ca/members/members-of-the-legislative-assembly - including:

• Honorable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta    Members of the Executive Council Executive Branch – 307 Legislature Building   10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB  T5K 2B6     TEL: 780-427-2251   EMAIL:  Premier@gov.ab.ca
•  Honorable Jason Nixon, Alberta Government Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services    Members of the Executive Council Executive Branch – 227 Legislature Building   10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB  T5K 2B6  TEL:  780-643-6210    EMAIL:  SCSS.minister@gov.ab.ca

Mayor Jyoti Gondek of The City of Calgary Office of the Mayor, Calgary Municipal Building 800 Macleod Trail S.E. P.O. Box 2100, Station M, #8069 Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2M5  EMAIL: TheMayor@Calgary.ca

The City of Calgary Council  Municipal Building 800 Macleod Trail S.E. Calgary, Alberta P.O. Box 2100, Station M Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2M5   

EMAIL addresses:

• Ward 1 - Councillor Sonya Sharp - EMAIL:  Sonya.Sharp@Calgary.ca
• Ward 2 - Councillor Jennifer Wyness - EMAIL: Jennifer.Wyness@Calgary.ca   
• Ward 3 - Councillor Jasmine Mian  - EMAIL:  Jasmine.Mian@Calgary.ca
• Ward 4 - Councillor Sean Chu - EMAIL:  Sean.Chu@Calgary.ca
• Ward 5 - Councillor Raj Dhaliwal - EMAIL:  Raj.Dhaliwal@Calgary.ca
• Ward 6 - Councillor Richard Pootmans - EMAIL:  Richard.Pootmans@Calgary.ca
• Ward 7 - Councillor Terry Wong - EMAIL:  Terry.Wong@Calgary.ca
• Ward 8 - Councillor Courtney Walcott - EMAIL:  Courtney.Walcott@Calgary.ca 
• Ward 9 - Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra - EMAIL:  Gian-Carlo.Carra@Calgary.ca
• Ward 10 -  Councillor Andre Chabot  - EMAIL:  Andre.Chabot@Calgary.ca
• Ward 11 - Councillor Kourtney Penner - EMAIL:  Kourtney.Penner@Calgary.ca
• Ward 12 – Councillor Evan Spencer - EMAIL:  Evan.Spencer@Calgary.ca
• Ward 13 – Councillor Dan Mclean - EMAIL:  Dan.Mclean@Calgary.ca
• Ward 14 – Councillor Peter Demong - EMAIL:  Peter.Demong@Calgary.ca

NOTE1:  A growing epic housing catastrophe is occurring in Calgary. in Calgary CMA, over 126,000 households (22%) cannot afford shelter - including, 42% of households earning $99,999 or LESS who find shelter unaffordable while only 3.1% of households earning $100,000 and over cannot afford shelter (Census 2021) – revealing the HIGH income inequality in Calgary. 50% of households in Calgary aged 65 years+ are spending over 30% on rent and utilities (Canadian Rental Housing Index - Census 2021, Demographics – Age Profile).  “Perhaps more ominous is the finding that nearly half of those surveyed (46 per cent) say they are less than $200 from failing to make their financial obligations….” See:   A record number of Albertans are concerned about being able to manage their debt – CTV  – July 10, 2023.    More than 50,000 households in Calgary CMA (Census 2021) have an URGENT need for shelter costing $1,262 per month or LESS as per the HART Housing Needs Assessment Tool. 92% of Calgarians strongly/somewhat agree that housing is too expensive for the average Calgarian.

NOTE2:  SHS Consulting led the Co-creating the right to adequate housing in Canada: Interim Report on What we heard (thus far) report  for the National Housing Council and prepared the FINAL REPORT or the Alberta Affordable Housing Review in 2020.     

NOTE3: The human right to adequate housing is as per the National Housing Strategy Act in 2019 and international law – including the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

NOTE4:  As per research of housing expert Steve Pomeroy:  Updating analysis on erosion of lower rent stock from 2021 census – Steve Pomeroy -  October 2022.  “The loss of affordable housing in Canada is occurring at such a high rate that it will be impossible for current NHS [National Housing Strategy] initiatives to maintain, never mind expand, the net stock of low-rent units research shows…”  Research reveals that for every 1 affordable housing unit that is built, 15 affordable housing units are lost – primarily due to financialization of housing:   Why Canada needs a non-market rental acquisition strategy. – Focus Consulting, Steve Pomeroy -  March 2020.

NOTE5 – Marie Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate has stated:

• “Canada’s housing crisis has reached catastrophic proportions and it is only getting worse …we cannot count on the for-profit housing industry to fix the problem……It is up to the federal government to take the lead on creating housing that prioritizes people’s human right to housing over profit’, writes Marie-Josée Houle. ‘Investing in nonmarket housing is the way out of the housing crisis.’” [Emphasis added] Prioritizing people over profit is the way forward on the housing crisis – Toronto Star, OPINION – Marie Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate  - September 7, 2023.

NOTE6: See: House of Commons HUMA Committee Review regarding financialization, rent gouging and renovictions and related issues  - testimony of Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate on May 9, 2023 and May 16, 2023. See also: ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE:  THE HOUSING CRISIS IN CANADA The Office of the Federal Housing Advocate’s 2022-2023 Annual Report to the Minister. 

Research before the Federal Housing Advocate has revealed that corporate investment in housing linked to unaffordable rents, evictions, and long-term care deaths.

NOTE7:  As per the MINUTES of the September 14, 2023 session of The City of Calgary Community Development Committee regarding the Home is Here – The City of Calgary Housing Strategy 2024-2030, CD2023-0749:

• “Investigate options for expanded business licensing for residential landlords, including education requirements and a landlord registry, to improve landlords’ awareness of their responsibilities and reduce rental accommodation fraud.”