Hugh's Brain

Generation Squeeze

2 min read

Generation Squeeze

Compiled Truth

Generation Squeeze (“Gen Squeeze”) is a UBC-based “think and change tank” founded in 2012 by Paul Kershaw, a tenured professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health. It advocates for generational fairness — focused on housing affordability, cost of living, and the squeeze on younger Canadians (lower earnings, higher costs, rising debt, climate impacts). The organization launched its “Code Red” housing campaign in Vancouver in May 2016 and Kershaw has met with PM Justin Trudeau on housing policy. [Source: gensqueeze.ca/our_story + en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Squeeze, 2026-05-03]

Aligned with Common Wealth Canada on housing / LVT issues — a natural coalition partner on land-based reform messaging. [Source: compiled from Hugh brain context, 2026-04-16]

Role / Context

  • Think-and-change tank at UBC (university-community collaboration). [Source: gensqueeze.ca, 2026-05-03]
  • Policy focus: housing affordability, generational equity, early-life investment, climate. [Source: gensqueeze.ca, 2026-05-03]
  • Signature campaign: Code Red housing (launched May 2016). [Source: en.wikipedia.org, 2026-05-03]

Key People

  • Paul Kershaw — Founder; tenured professor, UBC School of Population and Public Health; regular media contributor; UBC President’s Award for Public Education. [Source: gensqueeze.ca, 2026-05-03]

Timeline

  • 2012 | Organization founded by Paul Kershaw at UBC. [Source: gensqueeze.ca/our_story, 2026-05-03]
  • 2016-05 | Code Red housing campaign launched in Vancouver. [Source: en.wikipedia.org, 2026-05-03]
  • 2016-06 | Kershaw met with PM Justin Trudeau in a housing-advocates roundtable. [Source: en.wikipedia.org, 2026-05-03]
  • 2026-04-16 | Tagged in Hugh brain as housing/LVT coalition ally. [Source: compiled from Hugh brain context, 2026-04-16]

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