affordability

As affordability woes dominate the national political conversation, the Liberal environment minister says climate change is linked to cost-of-living concerns and will remain high on the federal government’s agenda.

The federal government intends to temporarily hike GST rebate cheques in a bid to ease some of the hurt of inflation for lower income Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet are in Vancouver on Monday for the start of a three-day retreat as they prepare for a fall sitting of Parliament, a new Conservative leader, and the ongoing pressures of the COVID-19 recovery and inflation.

It’s intergenerational warfare by proxy, one that’s been fought on the battlefields of municipal zoning bylaws and redevelopment applications, and the forces fighting for more density and affordability continue to suffer heavy casualties, writes columnist Max Fawcett.

The number of roommate households has grown faster than any other living arrangement in Canada over the last decade, census data shows, and with home ownership in the Toronto area a distant dream, some young people are looking abroad for opportunities.

Students and workers early in their careers often face the worst effects of Ontario’s affordability crisis, with home ownership well out of reach for most and steep rents and the rising cost of food, gasoline and other costs squeezing budgets.

What makes this election particularly interesting is that global inflation, coupled with an absolutely bonkers housing market in Ontario, has made the pinch of affordability issues much more acute.

The election promises tied to the latest Ford government budget are worth five times as much to senior voters as those under 45 years old, according to the founder of Generation Squeeze.

Critics say key recommendations are much-needed but call for limits to sprawl, rent control, other measures.

When it comes to housing in Canada, the rich just keep getting richer, writes columnist Max Fawcett.

An annual surtax on houses valued over $1 million could help reduce housing inequality and cool housing markets, a report says.

The Liberals have found themselves with a financial windfall amid an economic rebound, though the extra room is largely spoken for thanks to COVID-19 measures and relief for flooded British Columbia.

If we don’t act now on climate change, we’ll be dealt a much higher bill down the road, writes columnist Supriya Dwivedi. 

Mayors across Canada are calling on the federal parties to take urgent action on housing and homelessness as voting day fast approaches.