What's Making Homes Unaffordable? Senate Study on Housing Taxes and Fees
Official title: Examine and report on Canada’s housing crisis and the challenges currently facing Canadian home buyers, with a particular focus on government taxes, fees and levies
The Senate is investigating why buying a home has become so difficult for Canadians. They're looking specifically at how government taxes, fees, and levies add to housing costs. The committee has already heard from economists, developers, mortgage brokers, and housing policy experts.
Why This Matters
Trying to buy your first home? This study could shape future policy on what you pay in taxes and fees. Renters watching prices climb should care too—anything that affects housing supply affects rent. The Senate is gathering evidence that could lead to real changes in how governments tax housing.
What Could Change
The Senate committee will produce a report with recommendations to the federal government. This could lead to changes in how development charges, land transfer taxes, or GST/HST apply to new homes. Provincial and municipal fee structures could also face scrutiny.
Key Issues
- How do government taxes and fees contribute to housing unaffordability?
- What barriers do home buyers face in the current market?
- How can access to credit and financing be improved for housing?
How to Participate
- Watch past committee meetings on SenParlVu to understand what's been discussed.
- Contact the committee clerk at banc@sen.parl.gc.ca to submit a brief or request to appear as a witness.