Can Ottawa count on federal housing platforms?

With the federal election just under a week out, Ottawa will feel the housing policies of whoever takes the reins next week. As the Liberals and Conservatives make their final pitches on tax cuts, affordable housing, and market regulation, Ottawa is watching.

Liberal leader Mark Carney has committed to create a new government entity to construct homes. Build Canada Homes would see the federal government building affordable housing, financing new developments, and leasing out federal land for the construction of new homes. The Liberals have also pledged to cut the federal GST on sales of new homes for first time homebuyers on homes of up to $1 million. 

The Conservatives have pledged to build 2.3 million homes over five years. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has said he would work with municipalities to reduce development charges on the construction of new homes. The Tories have also announced plans to convert 15 per cent of government buildings into affordable housing. Their plan would also see a cut on the federal GST of homes of up to $1.3 million. This cut, however, would apply to all homebuyers or builders. 

To parse out what the federal promises might look like in Ottawa, The Ottawa Lookout spoke with three local figures about what these might look like in practice, and what they miss. 

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