Housing department spent $97K for two-day homelessness conference trip

Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department spent more than $97,000 to send managers to a two-day national homelessness conference for what internal documents described as “inspiration."

Source: Facebook

Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department spent more than $97,000 to send managers to a two-day national homelessness conference in Montréal for what internal documents described as “inspiration.”

According to Access to Information records obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter, the department spent $97,503 for 47 managers to attend the National Conference on Ending Homelessness from October 28 to 30.

Expenses included $33,600 for hotels, $8,857 for restaurant meals, and $17,910 in travel costs. Nine senior executives booked return flights from Ottawa, while others travelled on VIA Rail.

“It arms policymakers, funders, researchers, advocates, community leaders and front-line workers with inspiration,” said a departmental memo outlining the purpose of attending the conference. Another internal briefing noted it was “important that the Department of Housing be highly visible at the largest homelessness conference in the country.”

Executives responding to questions about the expense wrote that the purpose was “to raise awareness.” A memo titled Participation of Departmental Staff In The National Conference on Ending Homelessness also said attendance would allow staff to observe initiatives underway in communities across Canada.

The delegation was smaller than initially proposed, with 16 fewer employees ultimately approved for travel. However, the total cost was 10 per cent higher than sending a smaller group to a similar conference in Halifax the year prior.

“Travel costs are significantly higher as a result of this year’s conference being held in Montréal,” one memo stated.

The housing department has recently highlighted rising homelessness pressures. An October 4, 2024, briefing note counted 118,329 shelter users nationwide and estimated the number of “chronic homeless” at up to 32,660.

Statistics Canada will, for the first time, ask Canadians in the 2026 census whether they experienced homelessness in the previous year, including stays in shelters, vehicles, makeshift structures or abandoned buildings.

Also a first for the agency, Statistics Canada will ask individuals aged 15 and over about their sexual orientation, with options including heterosexual, lesbian or gay, bisexual or pansexual, and a write-in option for specification.

“New questions…have been included to help shed light on people who may face significant social and housing challenges,” an explanatory note said.