Canada builders are urging a stronger homeownership plan, emphasizing ownership supply, affordability, and clearer coordination across federal and provincial policy decisions now.
A one-time $1.7B federal transfer to provinces was described as positive, with effective local use viewed as critical for housing costs and supply.
Recommended steps included reducing government-imposed costs, cutting taxes on new homes, lowering development charges, and considering responsible mortgage stress-test changes for buyers.
Ontario’s planned HST rebate expansion would move beyond first-time buyers, covering eligible new-construction buyers on homes valued up to $1M if implemented.
Industry voices warned that broad layoffs could limit construction capacity when demand improves, reinforcing calls for faster support for homeownership and supply.
