As Ottawa prepares to roll out a new agency aimed at accelerating home construction, internal government documents reveal how severe Canada’s housing crisis has become.
Briefing materials for incoming Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, prepared this past May, highlight that high housing costs are impacting the economy and making it increasingly difficult for Canadians to find homes.
The documents note that the government has lagged in investing in below-market-rate housing, a shortfall that disproportionately affects newcomers and vulnerable populations.
Government data shows that the cost of building an average home in Canada has risen 58% since 2020 and could increase further due to U.S. tariffs.
To address this, the federal government plans to establish the Build Canada Homes agency, designed to accelerate affordable home construction and encourage builders to adopt new technologies.
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed at the Liberal caucus retreat earlier this week that the agency would be launched in the coming days.
