Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, April 13, 2017 -

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance released a report on Canada’s housing markets. Entitled Canada’s Housing Markets: Benefits, Barriers and Bringing Balance, the report includes five recommendations that address housing-related data gaps, the country’s mortgage regulations and housing affordability, both generally and in relation to first time homebuyers.

“An important part of the Committee’s context when hearing from witnesses and reading briefs submitted to us is the reality that Canada doesn’t have a single housing market, but instead several markets across the country’s regions,” said the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Chair of the Committee. “One of our priorities was examining the extent to which the country’s housing markets are balanced, which we interpreted to mean providing access to affordable housing for the greatest number of Canadians while maintaining both stability in our housing markets and in our financial system.”

Mr. Easter concluded: “As always, I know that I speak on behalf of all Committee members in thanking all of those who took the time to appear before us or to submit a brief to us. The input of Canadian individuals and groups is always a fundamental aspect of the Committee’s work as we undertake various studies. Certainly, that input was invaluable as the Committee was considering its recommendations.”

The Committee’s report can be accessed at: Canada's Housing Markets: Benefits, Barriers and Bringing Balance