Canadians went to the polls yesterday in a pivotal federal election that reflected the deep concerns many of us share about affordability, economic stability, and the ongoing housing crisis. Today, the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) would like to extend our congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on securing another mandate from Canadians.
This election came at a time when people from coast-to-coast-to-coast were navigating the impacts of an ongoing trade war and the economic uncertainty it brings. Amid those challenges, housing remains a central concern. Canadians made it clear: the status quo is not acceptable. Action on housing remains a national priority. Over the course of the campaign, the Liberal Party committed to several new initiatives and reforms that, if fully implemented, could mark a significant step forward for our sector. Among the most notable commitments were:
In addition to these, there were a number of other important housing related commitments, which include re-establishing the Multiple Unit Rental Building (MURB) cost allowance to encourage more development of purpose-built rentals, and a plan to eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes at or under $1 million. Many of these commitments, match the points outlined in the Housing Canada Coalition election advocacy campaign, End the Housing Game. These commitments include thinking differently about what our housing system looks like, how we need to build homes in new and innovative ways and how we need to provide protections for those who need them most. This points to a commitment by this incoming government to think more ambitiously about how we can tackle the housing crisis. If you would like to read our full recommendations, you can do so here. These are meaningful and important commitments—but we know that the work doesn’t stop at campaign promises. As a community housing sector, we must remain as vigilant and persistent as ever. The true test of these commitments will be in the delivery: in the next federal budget, in legislative follow-through, and in the day-to-day implementation that determines how funding reaches communities. There are also critical gaps in the platform that must be addressed through continued advocacy. Most notably, the Liberal platform left out any mention of urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing – despite repeated calls from Indigenous housing providers, communities, and advocates for a standalone, for-Indigenous, by-Indigenous strategy backed by direct and sustained funding. This omission risks reinforcing historic inequities and undermines efforts toward Reconciliation. If we are to move forward as a country, we must ensure Indigenous peoples are not left behind in federal housing policy. Similarly, the platform made no mention of a plan or commitment to tackle homelessness, offering no clear strategy or funding commitments to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This absence is deeply concerning, especially as communities across the country grapple with rising rates of housing precarity. Without targeted action and investments in prevention, emergency supports, and permanent housing solutions, Canada cannot hope to resolve the housing crisis in a meaningful way. This is a moment for the community housing sector to come together with renewed focus and energy. CHRA remains committed to being your national voice—pushing for delivery on these new commitments, filling in the policy gaps, and shaping the decisions of government. CHRA will continue to fight for stable, predictable and practical federal resources that will help us more than double the share of community housing. This includes seeing funding envelopes under the national housing strategy extended beyond their original timelines. We see an opportunity to build on that work with the incoming government. Together, we can turn this moment into lasting systems change. We invite all organizations and advocates working in the sector to deepen their involvement—now more than ever, our collective voice matters. If you are not already a member of CHRA, you can join our movement for affordable housing today. |