Alumni panel empowers change to tackle housing crisis

Three notable King’s alumni, some of the most distinguished voices in Canadian public policy, examined the housing crisis through a gendered lens as part of the “Empowering Change: Addressing Canada’s Housing Crisis Through a Gendered Lens” panel.

The panel, moderated by Dr. Erin Hannah, Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Politics and International Relations, took place on September 26, 2024, from 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre as part of Homecoming.

The panel emphasized the critical need to examine the housing crisis in Canada by considering how women, particularly marginalized groups like single mothers, immigrants, and Indigenous women, face disproportionate challenges in securing safe and affordable housing. The panelists discussed how law and public policy can be leveraged to craft inclusive and equitable solutions to these systemic barriers, offering insights both timely and critical for the London community and beyond.

The panelists, who each contributed a wealth of experience and expertise to the discussion, included:

• Honourable Sheila Copps, BA ’74 (English and French): Chair and President of MediproCanada Inc., and former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. Sheila has a storied career in Canadian public policy, with significant contributions to diversity, inclusion, and environmental protection.
• Michelle Eaton, BA ’05 French and Political Science: Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for OLG and former Vice President of Public Affairs at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Michelle has extensive experience in public affairs and strategic management, significantly impacting organizational growth and policy influence.
• Tingting Zhang, BA ’16 (Economics and Political Science): Junior Policy Analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute, specializing in human capital, women’s workforce development, and health policy. Tingting’s research focuses on immigration, labour market concerns, and healthcare policy issues in Canada.

Their discussion not only shed light on the intersection of gender and housing but also proposed actionable solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing Canada today.

"Led by distinguished King’s alumni, this panel had a profound impact on King’s students and the broader community by engaging them in a conversation about Canada’s housing crisis. This discussion empowered students to understand how they can contribute to dismantling systemic barriers and advocate for policies that ensure all women have access to safe, affordable housing," says Dr. Hannah.