The new Canadian government has unveiled an ambitious suite of housing policies aimed at tackling the national housing crisis—but the big question is: can these promises translate into real, affordable homes for the people who need them most?
With a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, at the helm and the appointment of Gregor Robertson as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the direction is clear: ambitious action, fast delivery, and new leadership.
But how likely is success?
Big Promises, Big Questions
The government’s new housing agenda is bold. It includes a plan to double housing construction to 500,000 homes annually, launch a federally backed developer called Build Canada Homes with $10 billion in support for affordable housing, and invest over $25 billion in prefabricated housing—a construction approach with unmet potential in Canada.
Other key policies include cutting development charges for multi-unit housing, reintroducing tax incentives for rental buildings and conversions, and removing GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1M. These measures aim to jump-start both the supply of housing and the private sector’s willingness to build.
These are significant commitments. The question is, can they do it?
The Challenges Ahead
While the vision is compelling, execution will be key—and complicated. Coordinating housing efforts across federal, provincial, and municipal governments has long been a sticking point in Canadian policy. Looming labour shortages in construction further threaten the timeline, especially for a strategy that relies on rapid scaling.
Moreover, not all Canadians stand to benefit equally. Cutting GST for first-time homebuyers on homes priced under $1 million might help the upper-middle class, but it does little for the growing number of people who can’t break into the housing market at all. And with no new protections for renters, many of the most vulnerable households are left out of the conversation entirely.
What the Data Tells Us
HART data paints a stark picture. In Metro Vancouver alone, there is a shortfall of over 160,000 homes affordable to households earning under $60,000 annually. In Canada, that number jumps to nearly 1.5 million. Without significant public investment in deep affordability, the new strategy risks leaving the most vulnerable Canadians behind.
Working alongside HART at the Housing Research Collaborative, Balanced Supply of Housing research points to several policies that can help protect and support those who need it most. Focusing on:
- better rental protections
- promoting non-market housing, including community land trusts
- supporting Indigenous-led housing
- Updating National Occupancy Standards to be more inclusive of women and families fleeing violence
- Building for the missing middle
That said, innovative approaches—like investing in prefabrication, utilizing publicly owned land, and coordinating across levels of government—could help close this gap. HART’s land mapping work has already identified underused public land that could support affordable housing development if made available, and the project is developing more extensive public land mapping in BC under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Demonstrations Initiative.
Gregor Robertson: Back in the Spotlight
All this makes for a significant lift for the next Minister of Housing. Enter: Gregor Robertson. Returning to politics after a few years in the private and nonprofit sectors, Gregor Robertson brings a mix of municipal, provincial, and now federal experience to the role. As a former Mayor of Vancouver (2008–2018) and MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, Robertson has long engaged with urban housing issues. His time in office was marked by ambitious climate goals—like the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan—and advocacy for sustainable urban development.
His private-sector work with green building firm Nexii and global roles in climate advocacy also signal a minister who understands the intersection of housing, infrastructure, and climate. However, critics will point to Robertson’s mixed record on homelessness in Vancouver, particularly in the Downtown Eastside. Furthermore, Minister Robertson’s time will be split between as Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada—an unfortunate indication the minister’s attention won’t be solely focused on housing.
Still, Robertson’s deep understanding of local governance as a former Mayor—a key piece of the housing delivery puzzle—may prove valuable, especially in a context where federal action depends on cooperation with provincial and municipal partners.
Let’s Get to Building Then, Shall We?
With Gregor Robertson’s appointment, there’s renewed energy—and experience—behind the federal housing push. His track record offers both lessons and opportunities, particularly around green building and intergovernmental collaboration.
As Housing Research Collaborative’s Director, Dr. Alexandra Flynn put it:
“A federal housing minister with mayoral experience knows cities need more than simple incentives and pilot projects. They need:
- A federal government committed to playing the long game in housing
- Giving the National Housing Strategy Act more teeth
- Predictable, long-term federal involvement in deeply affordable, non-market and rental housing
- A commitment to eliminating homelessness
Cities are where the right to housing is implemented—or denied.”
Overall, the Liberal party’s policies are well-intentioned and potentially transformative, but delivery will depend on robust execution, clear coordination, and a greater focus on equity. The housing crisis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people. And meeting their needs will require more than lofty goals. It will require deep, sustained, and inclusive action.
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