Paul Kershaw, a public policy professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of the affordability advocacy group Generation Squeeze, says the emphasis on increasing housing supply obscures our collective addiction to ever-rising home prices. Large chunk of housing demand in Canada comes from investors If you listen to …
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Trudeau announces $2 billion to support B.C. plan to build rental homes on under-used public land
The federal government has committed $2 billion to help finance B.C. Builds, a new program aimed at constructing thousands of rental homes on underused public land, which would then be available to middle-income earners. Premier says prime minister has taken note of the province's initiatives to increase stock, affordability The …
Read More »This single mom ran away from the daily grind — and she’s happier for it
Stephanie Moyst is working a full-time job at an insurance company and two side gigs to pay the bills. She moved away from the city for a more affordable life, and now she and her son live in a century-old heritage home. Stephanie Moyst juggled jobs for 20 years before …
Read More »Landlords aren’t being paid. Tenants feel squeezed. And the system designed to help is broken
The long delays in resolving landlord-tenant disputes are worst in Ontario but other provinces are experiencing it as well. Experts say those delays will have an impact on the already-stressed rental market. Long delays in landlord-tenant dispute resolutions is stressing the housing crisis Stuck in Ontario’s landlord-tenant board ‘nightmare’ 4 …
Read More »Private jets, yachts and parties: Ontario landlords flaunted lavish lifestyle as business began to crumble
In a 2022 promotional video, Robby Clark stands at the bow of a yacht, arms raised to the sky as a camera circles overhead. "You can stick me in the desert with nothing and I’m going to come out owning the desert," he says. Less than two years later, his …
Read More »Canada’s debt charges are ballooning as Freeland tables a gloomy fall economic statement
The cost to service the federal government's sizeable debtload will spike in the years ahead — and those public debt charges will eat up much more of Ottawa's revenue than they have in recent years, according to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's fall economic statement, tabled today. Freeland's document suggests Canada …
Read More »Ontario has a rental housing enforcement unit. It investigates a fraction of cases and fines even fewer
According to data obtained by CBC Hamilton, on average per year the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit receives over 18,400 calls, opens 1,500 cases and investigates around 200 cases. But a Hamilton tenant hopes she can find justice with the unit, despite its track record. A Hamilton tenant fighting a renoviction …
Read More »Why Canada’s ban on foreign buyers hasn’t made homes more affordable
A year-old foreign buyers ban aimed at making housing affordable for Canadians had too many exemptions and was more of a political manoeuvre, according to critics. They say it’s clear housing remains out of reach for too many in Canada, and it's time to look at strategies that have worked …
Read More »‘No fairness in this system’: Small landlords seek ways to protect themselves amid Ontario tribunal delays
Some small landlords in Ontario say they are increasingly having to take matters into their own hands as delays at Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board continue. Tenant advocates warn of a Wild West situation where lawlessness could worsen. Tenant advocates warn of a Wild West situation where lawlessness could worsen …
Read More »Divorcing couples under more pressure with higher housing costs and tough choices to make
Divorce brings many challenges, including finding new accommodations under duress. The high cost of housing is making that part of the process that much harder for couples going their separate ways, according to real estate and family law professionals. Soon-to-be-ex-spouses left with difficult decisions as they seek new living arrangements, …
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