Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

More to do on housing affordability: Freeland

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Apr, 2021 05:35 PM
  • More to do on housing affordability: Freeland

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the country needs a boost in the supply of housing to help make prices more affordable, but suggests there may be other steps governments can take.

Speaking at a virtual event, Freeland says the federal government wants to work with lower levels of government on the issue, saying there is more that cities, provinces and Ottawa can do together.

Freeland didn't detail what other options could be out there during her hour-long talk with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

Monday's federal budget promised $2.4 billion over five years, beginning with nearly $1.8 billion this fiscal year, for affordable housing and pledged to tax foreigners who own vacant homes in Canada.

While Freeland says affordability is first and foremost an issue of supply, she also says housing shouldn't be used by foreign buyers to store wealth offshore.

However, she says the government will take into account concerns from places like Whistler, B.C., where a tax may be problematic for Americans who own vacation properties in the area.

MORE National ARTICLES

Rising COVID trend amid vaccine supply concerns

Rising COVID trend amid vaccine supply concerns
The federal government had no immediate comment on the report, but did say possible new European Union restrictions on vaccine shipments would not affect Canada.

Rising COVID trend amid vaccine supply concerns

Businesses want extension of wage, rent subsidies

Businesses want extension of wage, rent subsidies
The government has targeted June 5 for an end to the federal wage and rent subsidies, and this week extended applications for a popular loan program to the same time.

Businesses want extension of wage, rent subsidies

Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian officials

Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian officials
Garneau says the sanctions are also a response to Russian officials having detained thousands of protesters in recent weeks.

Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian officials

New sketch done of Victoria boy missing 30 years

New sketch done of Victoria boy missing 30 years
The Victoria Police Department and members of Dunahee's family released a new age-enhanced photo today of what he might look like as a 34-year-old.

New sketch done of Victoria boy missing 30 years

B.C. premier to announce vaccine partnerships

B.C. premier to announce vaccine partnerships
A government release says they will be announcing new partnerships for the immunization plan.

B.C. premier to announce vaccine partnerships

Vaccinations for school based staff in the Surrey School District to begin March 24th

Vaccinations for school based staff in the Surrey School District to begin March 24th
With doses of this vaccine available now, Fraser Health has decided to provide school-based staff in the Surrey School District early access to the vaccine in a phased approach, so immunization clinics are not overwhelmed.

Vaccinations for school based staff in the Surrey School District to begin March 24th