OTTAWA, Ontario, October 22, 2024 - Delegates from the OnePoint Association of REALTORS® participated in CREA’s 39th annual PAC Days on Parliament Hill this week, joining REALTORS® from across Canada to meet with Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss pressing issues affecting the national housing market.
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) emphasized the importance of federal leadership and cross-government collaboration to address Canada’s housing crisis, advocating for policies that would boost housing supply and improve affordability. REALTORS® highlighted both immediate and long-term solutions necessary for tackling these challenges.
The conference allowed REALTORS® to gain valuable insights from top speakers and policymakers. Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney addressed Canada’s housing and immigration challenges, Abacus Data shared polling data reflecting the Canadian public’s concerns, and media panels and economists offered forecasts on housing and the upcoming federal election.
Delegates from OnePoint Association of REALTORS® met with several local MPs to support the following CREA recommendations:
Recommendation 1: Stimulate housing supply with innovative construction
CREA recommends supporting offsite construction technologies through targeted funding, including incentives under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and the new Homebuilding Technology and Innovation Fund, to expand housing supply across the continuum.
Recommendation 2: Create a national housing secretariat
CREA proposes a permanent national housing secretariat to coordinate policy and development among all levels of government and housing stakeholders. This mechanism, potentially a national housing roundtable or secretariat, would promote a unified approach to the housing crisis.
Recommendation 3: Expand HST/GST relief for non-profit affordable housing
CREA urges extending HST/GST relief for purpose-built rentals to include non-profit affordable ownership housing, making affordable ownership options more accessible.
CREA PAC Days 2024 provided REALTORS® an essential platform to champion these policy recommendations, advancing solutions for stable, affordable housing for all Canadians.