Tag: politics
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4.5 Million Canadians Are Now Living Below The Poverty Line
Canada’s cost-of-living crisis is still showing up in the data. New Statistics Canada numbers show that 11.0% of Canadians lived below the poverty line in 2024, representing approximately 4.5 million people. That is almost unchanged from 2023, when the poverty rate was 11.1%. The data suggests that while inflation has cooled from its peak, many…
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Renovation Scams on the Rise in Ontario as Warmer Weather Approaches, Police Warn
Homeowners across Ontario are being urged to stay alert as renovation scams begin to increase heading into spring. Hamilton Police Service has issued a warning about a rise in aggressive contractors and door-to-door scams, with fraud cases reported throughout the winter and expected to increase as temperatures rise. Door-to-Door Scams Target Homeowners According to police,…
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Canada’s Household Debt Crisis: Now 2nd Highest in the OECD
Canada’s household debt problem is no longer just a concern. It is now among the worst in the developed world. New data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows Canada has climbed to 2nd place among OECD countries for household debt relative to GDP, sitting at approximately 103% of GDP. Only Switzerland ranks higher. This puts…
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Ontario Removes HST on New Homes for One Year in Major Housing Affordability Push
The Ontario government is introducing a major, time-limited tax break aimed at cooling affordability pressures and stimulating new home construction across the province. Premier Doug Ford announced that the province will temporarily eliminate the 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on new homes for eligible buyers over a one-year period, starting April 1, 2026. The move…
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Bank of Canada Warns the Next 5 Years Could Be Turbulent
Canada’s economic outlook is entering a new phase of uncertainty, and it could have direct implications for the housing market. In a recent address, Carolyn Rogers of the Bank of Canada warned that the country is facing long-term structural changes that will be difficult to manage and could reshape the economy for years to come.…
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Canada Needs 3.5 Million Homes – Why Backyard Suites May Be the Fastest Housing Solution
As Canada’s housing affordability crisis continues to strain households, urban planners and policymakers are increasingly turning their attention to one overlooked solution – secondary suites. Basement apartments, garden suites, and laneway homes could add thousands of new housing units across Canadian cities without requiring large-scale new developments or major infrastructure expansion. Housing experts say these…
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Cheapest Cities to Live in British Columbia in 2026
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most desirable places to live, from ocean views to mountain towns, but it’s also one of the most expensive. In late 2025, the average home price in BC was approximately $965,914, significantly above the national average and among the highest in Canada. However, not all parts of the province…
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How Much Canada’s $50K GST Rebate Could Save You at Different Home Prices
Canada’s proposed $50,000 GST rebate for first-time home buyers could significantly reduce the cost of purchasing newly built homes if the policy becomes law. The measure is part of Bill C-4, the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act, which would temporarily eliminate the 5 percent federal GST on qualifying new homes for eligible first-time…
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How Much Property Taxes Cost Across Ontario in 2026 – What Homeowners Are Paying
Last updated March 2026 Property taxes are one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning a home in Ontario. Unlike mortgage rates, which fluctuate with interest markets, Ontario property taxes are set every year by your local municipality and used to pay for schools, roads, emergency services, transit and more. In 2026, many Ontario cities…
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Canadian Building Investment Hits Record – But Homeownership Isn’t Growing
January 25, 2026 Canadian building investment just surged to an all-time high, but a closer look at the data suggests the apparent construction boom is being driven by a very narrow segment of the market. New figures from Statistics Canada show investment is overwhelmingly concentrated in corporate-owned rental developments, particularly in Ontario, raising questions about…
