Housing challenges. Human voices.
Can I Stay? Rural, Remote, and Ready to Build is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Lindsay Blair (Rural Impact Canada) and Candace Larsen (One Bowl Housing Corporation). Together, they shine light on the housing crisis facing rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada. From system-wide barriers to grassroots solutions, this series follows their journey as leaders and competitors in the $300 million CMHC Housing Supply Challenge.
Through powerful stories, community voices, and real-world examples, Can I Stay? asks the urgent question faced by too many Canadians today: “Can I stay, or do I need to go?”
In the opening episode, Lindsay and Candace set the stage: what’s really at stake in the housing crisis? Meet Stephanie Corrin, a single mom in rural Ontario, and David Flood, General Manager of Wahkohtowin Development, as they share first-hand experiences of rising rents, housing shortages, and community struggles. The season-long journey through the CMHC Housing Supply Challenge begins.
Canada has access to the land, money, and resources but systemic roadblocks stand in the way of housing solutions. Lindsay and Candace unpack “drag-and-drop” homes, “ghost land,” and the red tape that slows progress. Guests include Albalina Metatawabin (Mushkegowuk Development Corporation) and Louise Fragnito (Township of Frontenac), who reveal what it’s like to confront these barriers on the ground.
This deep dive spotlights Rural Impact Canada. Lindsay shares how her organization prepares rural municipalities for housing development, from site readiness to new approaches that bypass traditional bottlenecks. Guest Stephanie Corrin returns to discuss her journey with RIC and what community-driven solutions mean for families like hers.
Now it’s One Bowl’s turn in the spotlight. Candace explains how her team empowers Indigenous communities to build durable, affordable homes in remote areas. Guest Chelsie Parayko (Housing Manager, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation) reflects on past frustrations with low-quality modular housing and the transformative impact of One Bowl’s approach.
The season finale brings big news: both Rural Impact Canada and One Bowl secure major funding through the CMHC Housing Supply Challenge. The hosts reflect on their journeys from rivals to collaborators and preview joint projects ahead. Guest Mayor Cheryl Fort (Hornepayne, Ontario) joins to share the community’s hopes for their housing partnership. With $300 million in play, the question becomes not just “Can I stay?” but “How far can we take this?”
Get to know Lindsay Blair and Candace Larsen, two change-makers bringing lived experience, insight, and leadership to the housing conversation in Canada.
canistaypodcast@gmail.com
