{"id":307312,"date":"2025-01-28T22:28:28","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T22:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=307312"},"modified":"2025-03-03T14:34:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T14:34:35","slug":"can-the-next-canadian-government-solve-the-housing-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/2025-canadian-election-housing-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Next Canadian Government Solve the Housing Crisis?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-24px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-34px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”30px||-10px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ 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_module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|1px||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||3px|1px||” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” url=”https:\/\/twitter.com\/wahi_inc” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/wahi-inc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]linkedin[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wahi.inc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wahiinc\/” icon_color=”#BC4E40″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” 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Wahi asks policy researchers if a change in federal governance can usher in a solution to the ongoing affordability crisis and, if so, what does it look like?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 4 minute read<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Federal-parties-housing-policy-platforms.jpg” alt=”The number of homes on the market continues to climb in major Canadian cities giving some buyers a shot at a discount.” title_text=”Federal-parties’-housing-policy-platforms” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Economic and housing specialists are offering up solutions to the Canadian housing crisis. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”791.1px” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”765.1px” custom_margin=”||-48px|||” custom_padding=”6px||68px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Housing is understandably a top priority for Canadians<\/span><\/a> headed to the polls later this year to elect a new prime minister \u2014 but whatever the electorate decides, Canada\u2019s next federal government faces a tall task. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Lower interest rates and declining rents have helped ease affordability pressures recently, though the numbers suggest there\u2019s still a long way to go. According to <\/span>analysis from National Bank<\/span><\/a>, to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced Canadian home, a household income of $186,963 is required (roughly double the national median). Meanwhile, more than one-in-five Canadian households are living in unaffordable housing, which <\/span>Statistics Canada defines<\/span><\/a> as spending 30% or more of their income on shelter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With no election date set and the governing Liberals in the process of selecting a replacement for outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the <\/span>major parties\u2019 housing proposals<\/span><\/a> are still taking shape. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>But as politicians continue to float new affordability fixes in a bid to win voters over, Wahi spoke to three policy and economic researchers to find out what they say needs to be done and whether or not they think the next government will take the necessary action. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Spoiler alert: researchers suggest a regime change isn\u2019t likely to restore affordability, but at least some say new leadership could make meaningful headway in the battle to curb sky-high housing costs across the country. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what they told Wahi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Moshe Lander, Senior Economics Lecturer at Concordia University<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Economics Professor Moshe Lander, doesn\u2019t expect that new federal leadership will turn the tide of affordability. That\u2019s because, he says, it isn\u2019t their job to begin with. \u201cIn general, regardless of the party, housing is not a federal matter,\u201d Moshe Lander, senior economics lecturer at Concordia University, tells Wahi. Lander <\/span>sees federal political promises as a shallow attempt to appeal to voters. \u201cSo any of the parties that are trying to insert themselves into the conversation are probably doing it more for political gain than the intent to actually accomplish anything,\u201d he continues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” custom_margin=”||-6px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”307775″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Frame-7488.png” alt=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” title_text=”Wahi Cashback – Listings” url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy\/wahi-price” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||35px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n

The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n

” content_phone=”<\/p>\n

The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n

” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”40px” header_3_font_size=”1.53rem” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”85%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_line_height_tablet=”” header_line_height_phone=”” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”1.53rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”1.4rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

The Smarter Way to Buy & Sell<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100px” module_alignment=”left” height=”11px” custom_margin=”||14px||false|false” module_alignment_tablet=”left” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n

A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n

” content_phone=”<\/p>\n

A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/p>\n

” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”24px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|90px|24px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10px|2px|10px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

A smart move starts with Wahi. Expert Realtors with unique data-driven insights and up to 1.5% cashback – an average of $15k* after closing on your new home\u2014it all adds up.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/buy-sell-with-wahi” button_text=”LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”left” button_alignment_phone=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”13px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”29px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”29px” header_2_font_size_phone=”19px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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In Canada, Lander says, the primary issue rests at the city, or municipal, level. The supply crunch he suggests is fueling the crisis stems from restrictive \u2014 and entrenched \u2014 local zoning rules. These policies limit the type and amount of housing that can be constructed from place to place and are generally set by municipal councils, although there are also planning policies at the provincial level.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To alter these rules to the extent necessary would draw the ire of existing homeowners concerned with their property values. These homeowners happen to be an important voter demographic, Lander suggests, so any federal party that\u2019s elected probably won\u2019t want to alienate them by tampering directly or indirectly. \u201cExisting home owners are an effective lobby blocking any loosening of those laws,\u201d he continues, adding there could be the threat of legal challenges from this group as well.\u00a0
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Yushu Zhu, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy at Simon Fraser University\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yushu Zhu, whose research has appeared in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, doesn\u2019t foresee the next federal government restoring affordability either \u2014 but she disagrees with Lander about the <\/span>why<\/span><\/i>. \u201cIt\u2019s not because most housing responsibility sits with the municipal governments,\u201d she says. \u201cI would say the senior governments have more accountability to the housing crisis that we have now,\u201d Zhu continues.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>One major problem, she says, is that Canada\u2019s highest level of government isn\u2019t spending on social housing and other forms of non-profit housing, such as co-operative housing, like it used to. The 1993 federal budget slashed these supports, and it wasn\u2019t until the early 2000s that national leadership paid any attention to the segment: “There\u2019s about one decade where there\u2019s no federal government involvement,\u201d says Zhu.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Consequently, <\/span>just 3.5% of the country\u2019s supply of homes is social housing<\/span><\/a>, compared to the 7.1% average across the 38 countries that make up the OECD. \u201cThat share [of social housing] has continuously dropped over time, but on the other hand, you see greater need for affordable housing,\u201d says Zhu. \u201cWe are seeing more younger people \u2014 and even some middle-income family households \u2014 who are in need of those social and non-profit affordable housing, which are stable and secure for them,\u201d she adds.<\/span>
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<\/span>At least doubling the portion of social and non-profit housing is one of the keys to solving the housing crisis, yet Zhu isn\u2019t confident this is going to happen post-election. \u201cI don\u2019t expect any fundamental changes in terms of mindset, in terms of the major parties.\u201d\u00a0 A culture of homeownership persists in Canada, one that has been built up over generations. \u201cWe are still a highly commodified housing system,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mike Moffatt, Executive in Residence at the Smart Prosperity Institute<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fresh federal leadership may not relegate the crisis to the history books, but Economist Mike Moffatt suggests the situation could be meaningfully improved \u2014 and within a single term. \u201cI don\u2019t know if they can solve it, but I do think we could be in a much better place four years from now than we are today,\u201d says Moffatt, also an Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy group at Western University\u2019s Ivey Business School.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He suggests responsibility lies with all levels of government. \u201cWhen you get to the question of which government is responsible for fixing this and what should be done, I think the question comes down to what you believe the root causes of the issues are,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that prohibitive zoning may fall largely on the shoulders of lower levels of government, he says, but that\u2019s just one part of the affordability equation. \u201cThere are a lot of other causes [to the crisis], one obvious one being rapid population growth, with immigration and international students and so-on,\u201d Moffatt tells Wahi. \u201cThat\u2019s almost entirely federal responsibility,\u201d he continues, noting the current Liberal government has taken recent steps to reduce immigration targets but lots more must be done. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a combination of enhanced homebuilding through a variety of not just federal but provincial and municipal policies coupled with further immigration reforms,\u201d Moffatt explains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some of these policies include lower-tier changes including cutting more red tape through zoning reform and reduced development charges. However, the feds could play a more substantial role here by reforming the $4.4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund, which provides funding to municipalities in exchange for allowing increased density. While generally supportive of the fund, Moffatt says a number of tweaks are required to make it more effective, including barring participating municipalities from hiking fees levied on developers.\u00a0 \u201cThe core idea is sound,\u201d he says of the fund.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Eliminating GST on the construction of new homes, something the Conservatives have proposed, would also go a ways to boosting housing supply. \u201cThat would be a big one,\u201d says Moffatt, though he doesn\u2019t like how they\u2019re proposing to fund the cuts: by scrap the Housing Accelerator Fund.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In terms of immigration, federal policymakers could kill two birds with one stone by focusing on bringing in more tradespeople, who in turn could help alleviate a skilled-labour shortage that\u2019s adding to construction costs. \u201cWe\u2019ve brought in high levels of international students who study things like fundamentals of tourism, which is probably not going to help us fix the housing crisis, but if we can bring in more electricians and plumbers and drywallers, that\u2019s probably going to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, even if all of these policies come to pass, the road to Canadian housing affordability. \u201cIt\u2019s such a large hole that we\u2019ve dug ourselves over the past 40 years,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not the kind of thing that\u2019s going to happen overnight.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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Wahi Writer<\/p>\n

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