Couverture de Canada's Housing Crisis

Canada's Housing Crisis

Canada's Housing Crisis

De : Micme
Écouter gratuitement

À propos de ce contenu audio

 Canada’s Housing Crisis Podcast explores the root causes, real barriers, and innovative solutions behind Canada’s housing shortage. Join host Alia for candid conversations with planners, economists, policy makers, and community leaders as we dive into zoning reform, missing-middle densification, public-land development, modular construction, and affordability strategies. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, developer, or concerned citizen, discover how smarter land use, streamlined approvals, and climate-resilient design can deliver millions of new homes and reshape the future of Canadian communities.2025-2026 Micme Politique et gouvernement Sciences politiques Sciences sociales
Les membres Amazon Prime bénéficient automatiquement de 2 livres audio offerts chez Audible.

Vous êtes membre Amazon Prime ?

Bénéficiez automatiquement de 2 livres audio offerts.
Bonne écoute !
    Épisodes
    • How Zoning Laws Are Affecting Canadian Housing Affordability (And What Cities Are Doing to Fix It)

      How Zoning Laws Are Affecting Canadian Housing Affordability (And What Cities Are Doing to Fix It)
      Oct 3 2025
      Canada's housing crisis is about invisible walls built into municipal zoning codes that most people never think about. In Yellow Belt neighborhoods, homeowners can tear down a modest bungalow and build a multi-million dollar mansion, but they cannot legally construct a simple duplex that would house two families instead of one. This is exclusionary by design, with demographics revealing that residents in these protected zones are wealthier, whiter, and have better access to parks and city amenities than those living in denser areas. Meanwhile, cities like Montreal prove there's another way, with 58% of dwellings as apartments achieved through "gentle density", duplexes, triplexes, and walk-ups, rather than high-rise towers, resulting in better affordability than Toronto or Vancouver.The good news is that Canadian cities are finally waking up to this manufactured scarcity, with Edmonton leading the charge by eliminating single-family zoning citywide in January 2024 and approving 30% more dwelling units as a result. Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Halifax have followed with their own reforms, incentivized by the federal government's $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund that rewards municipalities for removing zoning barriers. Combined with solutions like modular housing construction, public land utilization, skilled trades immigration, and increased social housing investments, Canada has a realistic pathway to building 3.3 million new homes over the next decade, exceeding the 2.3 million additional homes needed by 2030.Key Takeaways80% of Vancouver's is zoned exclusively for single-family homes, making denser housing illegal in most neighborhoodsEdmonton eliminated single-family zoning citywide in January 2024 and saw a 30% increase in approved dwelling units within the first yearCanada's Housing Accelerator Fund has allocated $4 billion to municipalities willing to remove zoning barriers, with 179 agreements to fast-track over 750,000 new unitsMontreal demonstrates that "gentle density" (duplexes, triplexes, walk-ups) creates better affordability than single-family zoning without requiring high-rise towersModular construction can deliver homes 30-50% faster than traditional methods and 20-25% cheaper, with Vancouver deploying 663 modular supportive housing units successfullyChapters00:00 Introduction: Why Zoning Laws Matter for Housing Affordability02:34 The Yellow Belt: How Single-Family Zoning Locks Out Families04:58 NIMBY Opposition and the Democratic Problem07:21 Edmonton's Bold Move: Eliminating Single-Family Zoning09:45 Public Lands for Homes: Using 4,000 Hectares Smarter12:00 Workforce Solutions: Tackling the $28,000 Labor Shortage Cost14:16 Social Housing: Why Canada Lags Behind Europe16:35 The Math: How 3.3 Million New Homes Is Achievable19:00 Coordinated Solutions: From Modular Housing to Climate Resilience21:25 Closing: The Path Forward Through Existing CommunitiesCurious about how we can really fix Canada’s housing crisis?• Visit https://canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm for more episodes• Share your questions and ideas by emailing hello@micme.com• Join the newsletter at https://canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm/subscribe Fact ChecksToronto single-family zoning (70%): Pre-reform estimates indicate approximately 65–70% of Toronto's residential land parcels were zoned exclusively for detached homes, but methodologies vary between land area and parcel counts. Post-2023 multiplex reforms, the effective extent of exclusive single-family zoning has decreased.Vancouver single-family zoning (80%): Before 2023 reforms, roughly 75–80% of Vancouver's detached-home lots disallowed multiplexes. As of late 2023, provincial legislation and municipal policy permit up to six strata or up to eight secured rental units on most former single-detached lots, reducing true exclusionary zoning.Calgary single-family zoning (67.5%): The cited 67.5% figure lacks a direct source. Calgary's base-district rezoning in 2024 now allows ground-oriented multi-unit housing across former low-density zones, but an exact pre-reform single-family percentage is unverified.Edmonton 30% approvals increase: Edmonton's Zoning Bylaw 20001, effective January 2024, replaced single-detached zones with Small Scale Residential zoning permitting up to eight units per lot. City planning data indicate development approvals increased by approximately 25–30% year-over-year in the first half of 2024, not solely attributable to the bylaw but consistent with the reform's intent.Vancouver households vs land (35% occupy 81% of land): No authoritative source found. The ratio appears in academic commentary but should be removed or footnoted pending verification.Montreal dwelling composition (58% apartments): According to Statistics Canada's 2021 census data, apartments (including duplexes and triplexes) comprised about 55–60% of Montreal's dwelling units. Montreal's price-to-income ratio remains lower than Toronto's and Vancouver's, ...
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      22 min
    • Canada’s Hidden Housing Crisis: How Domestic Speculation & Pension Funds Are Pricing Out First-Time Buyers

      Canada’s Hidden Housing Crisis: How Domestic Speculation & Pension Funds Are Pricing Out First-Time Buyers
      Sep 25 2025
      Have you ever wondered why owning your first home in Canada feels so out of reach? In this episode, we dig deep into the hidden side of the housing crisis that barely gets mentioned, domestic investor speculation. Shockingly, nearly one in three homes sold in 2025 went to investors, not folks looking for a place to actually live. And it's not just your well-off neighbor; our very own pension funds, like the CPPIB and OTPP, are controlling a whopping share of real estate deals worldwide, treating homes more like stock portfolios than spaces for families. If you thought foreign buyers were the villains, think again: the data shows homegrown speculation is quietly squeezing out first-time buyers in a big way (and over 20% of Canadians now own more than one property!).Let’s talk about the programs that are supposed to help us out. Tools like the First Home Savings Account and the Home Buyers' Plan sound great on paper, but in practice, they’re adding fuel to the fire. When everybody gets more money to spend on a limited number of homes, prices simply go up even more. Worse still, some government initiatives have already been shut down due to poor uptake or unintended effects, and those still standing might be inflating demand and making it even harder for real families to get ahead. The combined buying power of pension funds and investor households, backed by large capital and tax advantages, means that everyday buyers face impossible odds in bidding wars.But here’s the good news: we actually have policy solutions that work! Measures like targeted speculation taxes, limiting the share of residential real estate in pension fund portfolios, and redirecting tax revenue into affordable housing construction have already proven effective elsewhere, like in BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax. These actions could level the playing field, prioritize homes for people, and fight runaway mortgage debt. The catch? It’s going to take real political pressure and a unified voice from all of us. If we can put consistent pressure on our representatives, there's hope for a future where affordable housing isn’t just a headline, it’s reality.Takeaway List (12 Key Points)Domestic investors account for 30% of Canadian home purchases (2024 data).First-time buyer market share fell from 48% to 43% (2020–2023).Pension funds like CPPIB and OTPP hold a global disproportionate share of real estate.Over 20% of Canadians own property beyond their primary residence.Some government housing programs have been discontinued or are under review due to limited impact.New buyer programs (FHSA, HBP) increase demand without expanding supply.Targeted taxation, like BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax, has shown real results.Capital gains from real estate are often taxed at only half the regular income rate for investors.Mortgage interest deduction unfairly benefits investors.Proposed policies include: 35% down payments for investment properties, taxing gains as income, ending mortgage interest deductibility.Pension fund regulations could limit their exposure to residential property.Policy reforms should redirect tax revenues to new affordable housing supply.Chapters02:30 – The ‘hidden’ side of investor-driven housing crisis06:12 – Real estate investors now buy 30% of homes09:50 – How over 20% of Canadians became multi-property owners14:35 – Shrinking first-time buyer share & rising investor profits18:15 – Pension funds: surprise giants of real estate speculation22:00 – Real losses for pension funds, unreal consequences for buyers25:45 – Why first-time buyer programs may inflate prices30:18 – Failed government interventions and market inefficiencies34:22 – Policy solutions: taxes, restrictions & revenue recycling39:40 – International lessons & winning the public policy game44:50 – Call to action: demand better housing policiesCurious about how we can really fix Canada’s housing crisis?• Visit canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm for more episodes• Share your questions and ideas by emailing hello@micme.com• Join the newsletter at canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm/subscribeFact Checks / CorrectionsGlobal pension fund real estate losses are cited at $1.24 trillion but this is a global figure, not just Canadian funds.The impact of government buyer programs is still being studied; some claims about their negative impact are speculative.BC’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax specifically targets both foreign and domestic investors and has contributed to reduced vacancy rates and new affordable housing revenue.Sourceshttps://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/observer/2025/summer-update-2025-housing-market-outlookhttps://www.rbc.com/en/thought-leadership/economics/canadianhousing/special-housing-reports/canadas-housing-market-forecast-update/https://wowa.ca/reports/canada-housing-markethttps://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/observer/2025/is-toronto-condo-market-downturn-repeat-of-1990shttps://www.crea.ca/housing-market-stats/...
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      21 min
    • Canada's Housing Divide: Why Some Cities Embrace Gentle Density While Others Fight Housing Development | Housing Crisis Solutions 2025

      Canada's Housing Divide: Why Some Cities Embrace Gentle Density While Others Fight Housing Development | Housing Crisis Solutions 2025
      Sep 22 2025
      On this episode of the Canada's Housing Crisis podcast, despite what headlines might make you think, only 29% of Canadians actually oppose gentle density, and those passionate voices often drive local housing politics, especially when it comes to city council meetings. I unpack why areas like Calgary and Edmonton are soaring with record housing starts, while Ontario’s construction numbers are hitting a concerning low, and how BC’s strong political leadership overcame local resistance to deliver real housing results. It’s fascinating (and sometimes infuriating) how public consultations end up favoring the loudest, but not always the majority. I’m here to make sense of the data, the politics, and the real human stories behind Canada’s housing challenges.This episode also explores how gentle density can actually make neighborhoods more livable and even boost property values. We talk practical solutions too, did you know public land can be a game-changer for affordable housing? The symbolism of record housing starts in Alberta against Ontario’s slump, plus the federal Housing Accelerator Fund’s standout results in places like Thunder Bay, all point to the clear need for bold, coordinated government action. I break down why federal and provincial governments need to step up, back municipalities, and make tough but urgent choices that cut through endless local opposition and put the needs of renters, young families, and everyday Canadians front and center.If you’re wondering what really causes housing gridlock or how community consultation processes can sometimes get hijacked by a few voices, this episode will give you clarity. We’re not looking for a silver bullet, we’re looking for leadership and practical policy that harnesses Canada’s existing resources, from land to legislation, and ensures everyone gets a fair shot at a safe, affordable home. Dive in to find out why gentle density isn’t just a buzzword but a vital part of our path forward, and hear why political will, not just policy tweaks, is the make-or-break factor in solving our housing crisis.Takeaway ListThe divide in housing policy is stark across Canadian citiesOnly 29% of Canadians oppose gentle density, but opposition is not evenly distributedOlder homeowners often dominate local council meetings, skewing representationCalgary and Edmonton are experiencing record housing starts, while Ontario strugglesBC's strong political leadership has successfully implemented gentle density reformsCommunity consultation processes often favor the loudest voices, not the majorityGentle density can improve neighborhood livability and property valuesPublic land can be leveraged for affordable housing solutionsFederal and provincial governments need to step up to support municipalitiesPolitical will is crucial to implement effective housing policiesAlberta and Prairie provinces show more resistance, but big cities in Alberta buck the trendThe Housing Accelerator Fund delivers big results in cities that embrace itOn-the-ground consultation doesn’t always reflect the true majority opinionChapters00:00 Introduction to Canada's Housing Crisis00:56 The Divide in Housing Policy04:40 Current Housing Market Trends08:48 Successful Strategies for Housing Development12:41 Addressing Community Opposition16:31 Generational Perspectives on Housing17:58 Economic Viability of Housing Solutions22:10 The Role of Public Land in Housing23:56 Proposed Policy Changes for Housing26:41 Conclusion and Call to ActionCurious about how we can really fix Canada’s housing crisis?Visit canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm for more episodesShare your questions and ideas by emailing hello@micme.comJoin the newsletter at https://canadashousingcrisis.transistor.fm/subscribeSOURCES:https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/market-reports/housing-market/housing-supply-reporthttps://globalnews.ca/news/11431071/ontario-august-2025-housing-starts/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250723/dq250723c-eng.htmhttps://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/housing-logement/ptch-csd/reports-rapports/prog-nhs-march-2025-mars-snl-eng.htmlhttps://stories.td.com/ca/en/article/canada-housing-supplyhttps://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/09/14/prime-minister-carney-launches-build-canada-homeshttps://cdhowe.org/publication/building-smarter-faster-technology-and-policy-solutions-for-canadas-housing-crisis/https://chec-ccrl.ca/housing-crisis-may-improve-for-some-in-2025/https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/housing-logement/housing-plan-report-rapport-plan-logement-eng.htmlhttps://schoolofcities.github.io/gentle-density/adu-development-in-canadian-citieshttps://schoolofcities.github.io/gentle-density/toronto-renoductionshttps://shapeyourcitysaintjohn.ca/44192/widgets/189193/documents/137415https://schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/eight-ways-to-enable-missing-middle-housing-new-resources-from-the-school-of-cities/https://...
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      28 min
    Aucun commentaire pour le moment