News
-
Changes to the petition
6 days ago
274 Signatures
500 for collection target
Petition addressed to: Parliament of Canada
To Our Representatives in levels of Municipal, Provincial and Federal Government,
We are writing today to request your support to build and fund community-led cohousing projects in Canada.
At Ottawa Cohousing, we see the great potential for private investment from engaged residents to contribute towards the building of innovative, eco-friendly housing communities called cohousing.
The cohousing model can play an important part in the mix of housing solutions that will support a strong and resilient housing system in our country, mobilizing long term investments towards the building of right-sized housing stock. It is a housing model that serves both young and aging populations as it offers great social benefits and community engagement.
This is what would help us build:
- HST & development fees waived for cohousing communities
- Seed funding for cohousing and community-led developments of 6 to 75 units
- Accelerated approvals and permitting processes for cohousing developments
Reason
The Cohousing Model has a strong track record in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Listen here for a recent documentary about cohousing on CBC's The Current, including the stories of some of our Ottawa Cohousing members and the current barriers we are facing.
Our recommendations are well aligned with:
- The Ottawa Housing Innovation Task Force recommendations: https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=263111
- The Senate’s Recent Report: Out of Reach: Unlocking Canada's housing affordability crisis: https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/451/BANC/Reports/2026-01-20_BANC_Housing_e.pdf
- And the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association (GOHBA) demands for housing affordability: https://www.gohba.ca/housing-affordability/
- The Canadian Cohousing Network’s Affordability Research and Recommendations: https://cohousing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Building-Connections-Web.pdf
Please add your signatures to the list below to show your support.
Sincerely,
Ottawa Cohousing;
Rosaline Hill,
Linda Kruus,
Lo Sirois.
Great Rivers Cohousing (Past & Current Members);
Margot Montgomery
Peggy Patterson
John Bateson
Gil Felipe Gonçalves Miranda
Rita Valeriano
Owen Kelly
Adam Kowalczewski
Jennifer Schurer
Adam Barnfather
David Orfald
Debby Clarke
Julie Fukushima
Jonathan Solomon
Melissa Johnson
Fiddlehead Commons Cohousing;
Craig Shackleton
Rachel Collishaw
Donald Pettit
Sylvia Bachelder
Catherine Baker
Ian Baker
Janet Hilliard
Citizens of Ottawa:
Nick Lepine DCA Chair, FCA Chair
Alex Millaire, Coopérative Brébeuf Secretary
Peter Haworth
Ana Genio, Interior Designer
& more ...
Thank you so much for your support, Ottawa Cohousing, Ottawa
Question to the initiator
Petition details
Petition started:
02/24/2026
Collection ends:
04/08/2026, 23:59 GMT-4
Region:
Canada
Topic:
Habitation
Translate this petition now
new language versionDebate
Why people sign
Living in multi-generational cohousing had been my dream, for all the reasons usually given. Realizing that dream was within reach - until the disruptions of the COVID pandemic caused escalated construction costs which resulted in my being priced out. For ALL of the advantages offered by cohousing, and given a priority to develop achievable housing, the cohousing model should be endorsed with enthusiasm.
Tools for the spreading of the petition.
You have your own website, a blog or an entire web portal? Become an advocate and multiplier for this petition. We have the banners, widgets and API (interface) to integrate on your pages. To the tools
Translate this petition now
new language versionYou might also be interested in
210
Signatures
54 days
remaining
389
Signatures
138 days
remaining
I support a housing model that promotes increased social cohesion.