WATERLOO – The Green Party of Canada (GPC) unveiled a bold and transformative plan aimed at addressing the escalating affordable housing crisis across the nation. Emphasizing that housing is a fundamental human right, the Green Party is committed to implementing significant reforms that will end homelessness within the next decade.
“Our vision is clear: housing is a human right,” said Housing Critic and Kitchener Centre incumbent Mike Morrice. “It’s past time the federal government’s policies reflect that commitment. Elected Green MPs will fight for transformational investments in affordable housing, protections to stop the out-of-control loss of affordable units, and an end to tax breaks for large corporate investors profiteering on the backs of Canadians looking for a place to call home.”
The Green Party’s ambitious proposal aims to build permanently affordable homes over the next seven years, with the goal of tripling Canada’s social housing stock. Central to this plan is a revitalization of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), refocusing its mandate on financing and constructing non-market housing.
Greens will advocate for the establishment of prefabricated housing plants through the CMHC to dramatically reduce construction costs while simultaneously creating local jobs. Furthermore, the plan intends to provide long-term, low-interest loans to nonprofits, cooperatives, and public housing agencies, thereby minimizing reliance on private lenders and expediting housing development.
“Every dollar of public funding should benefit the public,” said co-Leader Elizabeth May. “There will be no more public money for private profit. Every publicly funded home will remain affordable for generations to come.”
The Green Party’s housing plan also emphasizes climate-resilient homes, universal accessibility, Indigenous-led housing strategies, and robust tenant protections. This multifaceted approach aims to support all Canadians, from youth and students to rural communities and individuals with disabilities.
“Together, we can create a fairer and more inclusive housing landscape across Canada,” said co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault. “It’s a matter of political will and it’s high time that we mustered our capacity to deliver on this basic human right.”
The Green Party of Canada’s plan includes:
Fixing our Funding Criteria
- Use CMHA’s own definition of affordable housing, requiring that all federally funded housing meet the affordability standard of costing no more than 30% of household income.
Investment in Affordable Housing
- Triple the amount of social housing in Canada by building 1.2 million permanently affordable homes (non-market rental or cooperative) over seven years.
- Mandate CMHC to establish five regional prefab/modular housing plants to mass-produce affordable housing, cutting construction costs and delays while creating thousands of skilled jobs in manufacturing and construction.
- Extend the existing GST removal for developers of for-profit rental housing to include all homes built for affordable home ownership through organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Climate-Ready Housing
- Ensure CMHC’s modular housing plants prioritize energy-efficient, sustainable construction, integrating low-carbon materials into Canada’s public housing expansion.
Ending Financial Speculation in Housing
- End preferential tax treatment for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and other corporate landlords.
Stronger Rent Control and Tenant Protections
- Require all provinces and territories to have strong rent and vacancy controls and sufficiently funded landlord/tenant dispute resolution agencies to access all federal housing funding.
Homelessness Prevention and Support
- Ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to mental health care, harm reduction, and addiction recovery supports alongside permanent housing by expanding investments in Housing First programs and wraparound support services.
Housing for Indigenous Peoples
- Transfer federal land to Indigenous-led housing organizations to support community-driven housing solutions, in alignment with self-determination principles under UNDRIP.
Youth Housing and Homelessness
- Expand federal funding for youth shelters and transitional housing, ensuring dedicated housing supports for young people at risk of homelessness.
Rural and Disability Housing Initiatives
- Expand accessibility retrofitting grants for existing housing, ensuring barrier-free homes for people with disabilities.
- Require universal design in all federally funded housing, ensuring new homes are accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
- Leverage modular housing production to expand affordable housing in rural and remote communities, overcoming high construction costs and labour shortages that have historically limited development.
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For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021
Rod Legget
Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications
613-203-1524