The (D)evolution and Neoliberal Restructuring of Social Housing in Canada: A Comparative Study of Municipal and Provincial Governance in Toronto, ON and Vancouver, BC

Neoliberal policies have been widely adopted and implemented in capitalist societies. Canada is no exception, as neoliberal strategy is evident at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Examples of this can be found in Canadian social housing, among other areas of policy. Since the 1990s the ways in which social housing is managed and funded have changed significantly. Through devolution the federal government’s role has decreased considerably, resulting in increased responsibilities for provinces and municipalities. While most provinces now manage social housing portfolios, Ontario is the only province to subsequently devolve its responsibility to the municipal level. Given reduced levels of government funding, providers are increasingly challenged to find new and innovative ways to assist in the delivery of social housing. The purpose of this research is to examine how varying levels of devolution influence neoliberalization processes at the local level, and determine if a greater degree of downloading is linked to a more intensified withdrawal of direct state involvement and increased private sector participation. This is achieved through an in-depth comparison of Toronto and Vancouver, two of Canada’s largest cities. The results highlight how neoliberal policies are experienced differently across time and space, the complexity of policy devolution, and consider the role of local path dependencies in social housing provision. Additionally, by presenting detailed accounts of the devolution process, the introduction of new ‘affordable housing’ programs, and the expiry of federal operating agreements, this study provides a comprehensive, critical and updated review of Canada’s evolving social housing system.Ph.D