Unlocking the Door to Homeownership
Discussing Housing Affordability in Canada
The data from Canada’s latest Housing Market Index (HMI), published quarterly by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), fell yet again this quarter to new record lows for housing purchase/start prospects of all housing forms for ownership. CHBA’s single-family HMI reached a low of 23.3 out of 100, while the multi-family HMI was 16.8. The…
Earlier this week, the federal government announced Build Canada Homes (BCH), a new federal entity with goal to create more affordable (social), non-market housing. BCH will aim to develop 4,000 homes on federal lands, with the potential to deliver up to 45,000 units across its portfolio using innovative financing and factory-built construction. CHBA CEO, Kevin…
As of the day after the election, the Liberal Party of Canada, under the leadership of Mark Carney, has won a minority government in the federal election. They are currently leading or elected in 168 seats. The Conservatives, like before, form the Official Opposition, with 144 seats (leading or elected) but in the surprise upset…
The NDP has proposed the Canadian Homes Transfer, an $8 million fund over four years to encourage cities to build more homes, faster. The NDP says this will help build more than 3 million homes by 2030. The party is also proposing another $8 million for the Communities First Fund which will support provinces in…
The Conservative Party’s housing platform vows to build 2.3 million homes over the next five years by removing taxes on homebuyers and builders. CHBA strongly supports removing the GST on all new homes under $1.3 million which will go a long way towards unlocking the door to homeownership and has been a key recommendation from…
Last updated: April 1, 2025 The Liberal Party's Housing Plan, as found here (March 31, 2025). The Liberal Party’s “Building Canada Strong” housing plan (the Plan), announced on the election campaign trail, vows to double the pace of construction by getting the government back in the business of home building, cutting red tape to make…
Government taxes and fees are a major contributor to high house prices, making up as much as 31 percent of the sale price of a home in some regions. And while most of these taxes come at the municipal level, GST (and in some provinces, HST) is also charged. One of the ways the Federal…
Rents are skyrocketing. House prices are too high. Many Canadians aren’t sure if they’ll ever be able to afford their first home. Others will have to leave their city in search of more affordable solutions. Housing connects us all. And not enough housing affects us all. It impacts affordability and rental prices, and hurts the…
When looking at the results, Canadians may assume that not much changed between the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. But when it comes to housing issues, a lot did change. Housing was top of mind for voters and political parties with unprecedented urgency, and was covered extensively in the media. One of the biggest…
While much has happened in the last two years, the issues affecting housing affordability in Canada remain largely the same, with the pandemic intensifying the effects and awareness of those issues. The 2021 federal election is an opportunity for parties to communicate their understanding of the root causes of market-rate housing affordability problems, and for…